Christmas Photoshoot Ideas for Family, Couple, and Solo Portraits
by 
Lina Thorne • Updated · Posted in Photography
The holiday season is just around the corner. For a portrait photographer, it’s the busiest, most exciting time of year! It’s the season of sparkling lights, cozy moments, and the joy of helping your clients create memories they’ll treasure forever.
But let’s be real: after a few seasons, it’s easy for your holiday shoots to start feeling a little… predictable. Another year, another photo in front of the tree? We know you and your clients are craving something more.
Well, you’ve come to the right place! In this comprehensive guide, you’ll find a lovely selection of various Christmas photoshoot ideas for solo, couple, or family portraits. We’ll also talk about the fun stuff, like props and outfits.
Christmas Photoshoot Ideas for Families & Groups
We’ve broken down these ideas into categories, but keep in mind that they can easily be mixed and matched.
Decorating the Christmas Tree
Let’s start with probably the most popular idea.
This is a lifestyle portrait session in which a family decorates a Christmas tree.
Direct them to interact naturally: dad lifting a child to place the star, siblings untangling lights, mom admiring a special ornament. Ask your clients if they have any nostalgic decorations. For instance, something that they made when they were a child.
Your job is to be an observer, promptly capturing all of those beautiful moments filled with genuine emotions.
Get wide shots that include the entire tree and the family dynamic, then move in for tight shots of faces illuminated by the tree lights and close-ups of little hands placing ornaments. Use a soft fill light if the fairy lights aren’t enough. An off-camera flash bounced off the ceiling or a wall can help lift shadows, but be careful – you don’t want to overpower the fairy lights.
Baking and Decorating
Also, a lifestyle portrait session. But here, your clients are going to make, cut out, and decorate Christmas cookies or a gingerbread house.
It’ll be a playful kitchen shoot filled with authentic, joyful expressions. And this idea has some variations. You can capture only the process of rolling out the dough and baking. Or only the process of decorating them. Or both!
Embrace the beautiful mess!
Be ready to capture the action: flour on cheeks, rolling pins, cookie cutters, messy hands, spontaneous laughter, close-ups of decorated cookies, and candid interactions. Use a faster shutter speed to freeze the movement. Use a flash or a portable LED light if the lighting conditions are tricky.
Cozy Blanket Snuggle
Have the family snuggle up together on a sofa, a large armchair, or even outdoors in a snowy setting. Use a blanket or quilt with festive colors to tie into the holiday theme. Include a mug of hot chocolate, marshmallows, or a thermos.
This is perfect for creating those group shots where everyone is physically close. Focus on the candid moments: shared laughs, a parent kissing a child’s head, or everyone sipping from matching mugs of hot cocoa.
Christmas Pajama Party
Matching PJs are a holiday classic for a reason – they’re fun and festive. This idea is perfect for families, but can be suitable for a couple photoshoot, too. It can be done by the Christmas tree, on a made-up bed with plenty of festive pillows, or a photo studio with Christmas decorations.
Tell your clients to jump on the bed, have a pillow fight, or read a Christmas story together. The matching outfits are great to show the connection between the family group.
As an option, you can suggest themed costumes like everyone in matching elf outfits.
Christmas Traditions & Family Rituals
Capture your clients’ personal holiday traditions.
It can be reading a Christmas story in bed, opening advent calendars, making handmade ornaments for the Christmas tree, or even watching their favorite Christmas movie together.
Encourage interaction: parents reading to children, siblings collaborating on crafts, or just relaxed moments of togetherness. What’s great about this idea is that it really makes the shoot tailored to your clients.
Recreating Christmas Movie Scenes or Posters
Do your clients have a favorite Christmas movie?
You can recreate posters or iconic scenes from that movie! Think Home Alone (with aftershave or a mischievous grin), Elf (sugary breakfast), or even Die Hard. This idea can be good for couples and solo portraits, too. You can recreate scenes from Bridget Jones or Love Actually, for instance.
Note that this idea will require some preparation. You and your clients will need to get the wardrobe, props, and find the location that’s as close to the movie as possible. Roles need to be assigned. Study the light in the chosen scene or poster and recreate it.
Christmas Tree Farm or Tree Lot Portraits
Take your shoot to a Christmas tree farm or lot. It’s a beautiful setting that’s filled with rustic charm. Photograph your clients walking among trees, selecting or carrying a tree, hugging among the trees, or simply relaxing with a mug of cocoa.
Scout tree farms or lots early in the season – the more trees there are, the better.
Check if photography is allowed. Note that some lots require permission.
Plan for golden hour: the low sun filtering through the trees is magical. Snowy days are also perfect for this idea.
Christmas Photoshoot Ideas for Couples
Mistletoe Moment
A simple, romantic, and very Christmassy idea.
Tell the couple to share a kiss and some playful moments under a sprig of mistletoe. This can be done in a doorway, against a clean backdrop, or even outdoors. For a fun family version, have the children hold the mistletoe above their parents’ heads.
Focus on the intimacy of the moment. Use a wide aperture to throw the background softly out of focus yet keep the faces in focus. This will create a very dreamy effect.
Wrapped in Christmas Lights
Use a long strand of Christmas lights (warm white or multi-colored) as your primary prop.
The couple can hold the string between them or wrap it around themselves.
Alternatively, you can use the lights in the foreground or background.
For families, you can tell kids to wrap lights loosely around a parent. Keep in mind that it’s easier to work with battery-powered lights.
To achieve that gorgeous bokeh, position the couple several feet in front of the lights and use a wide aperture. Ensure the lights are the main light source for a dramatic effect, or combine them with a soft key light to illuminate the subjects’ faces.
Ugly Sweater Portraits
Encourage clients to wear intentionally tacky or “ugly” Christmas sweaters. The more over-the-top, the better. This is great for fun portraits.
Tell the couple to do some cheeky poses. The goal is to embrace the cringe and have fun.
You can use natural window light or bounce the on-camera flash off the ceiling. You can even experiment with colored lighting here. Just make sure that the sweaters are clearly visible.
Christmas Market Couple’s Adventure
Take your couple’s session to a local Christmas market. Tell the couple to walk hand-in-hand through the rows of stalls. Ask them to point out their favorite ornaments, share a warm drink (like hot chocolate or glühwein), or feed each other a sweet treat like a churro. Find a quieter corner and have the couple stand close, foreheads touching, as they look at each other or share a soft kiss.
Visit the market beforehand to find the best-looking stalls and lighting. Some markets require a permit for professional photography, so always check with management to avoid any issues on the day. Keep in mind that weekdays are often less crowded than weekends.
Cozy by the Fire
Set up a comfortable seating area with plush pillows, a warm throw, and mugs of hot chocolate. If you have a real or faux fireplace, use it as the backdrop. Make sure that some Christmas decorations are in your shot – maybe somewhere in the background – to tie the photoshoot with the holiday.
The mood here is quiet and intimate.
Capture the couple laughing, talking, doing a jigsaw puzzle, or simply cuddling. Details like steam rising from the mugs or whipped cream mustaches add a touch of authentic charm.
Christmas Photoshoot Ideas for Solo Subjects
Studio Portrait with a Holiday Touch
Sometimes, less is more.
A clean, minimalist studio setup can produce a powerful and elegant portrait.
Use a neutral backdrop (grey, cream, or black) and one or two festive elements. This could be a beautiful holiday wreath held or worn, a stunning piece of statement jewelry, or some twinkling lights.
As an option, you can go for a refined, elegant style: white or cream outfits accented paired with metallic props, gold baubles, or soft fur blankets to add luxury and warmth.
You can use soft window light for a gentle look.
If you want to get creative, you can try to go for dramatic lighting using strobes or continuous light – for example, you can experiment with colored light or pair soft key light with hard rim light.
The best thing about doing a photoshoot in a studio is that you’ll have plenty of room for experimentation.
Playing with Snow
Have your subject scoop up a handful of snow, bring it to their face, and playfully blow it towards the camera. You can use real snow or fake snow/confetti.
Make sure that some festive props are incorporated to tie the session to the holiday.
Use a fast shutter speed (1/500s or higher) to freeze the snow in mid-air. Make sure your subject is facing the light source so their face is well-lit and their expression is clear. This shot is all about capturing a moment of pure joy.
Character Portrait
Let your client’s personality shine by having them dress up as their favorite festive character. Think a classic Santa Claus, a cheeky elf, an elegant Mrs. Claus, or even a character from their favorite Christmas movie.
Go all-in on the theme. If they’re an elf, pose them peeking around a doorframe. If they’re Santa, have them checking a list with a stern expression. Use props and a set that tell the story in a believable way.
Props to Elevate Your Christmas Shoot
You don’t need a big budget to create magic.
Simple, well-chosen props can make all the difference:
- Classic & Cozy: Christmas tree (real or artificial), ornaments and baubles (various sizes), tinsel, stockings, wrapped presents (you can use empty boxes), cozy blankets, mugs of hot cocoa, a faux fireplace.
- Festive Plants: Mistletoe, wreaths, poinsettias, pine branches, and pinecones.
- Playful & Personal: Matching Christmas pajamas, Santa/elf hats, reindeer antlers, character costumes, “Dear Santa, I can explain…” signs, candy canes, gingerbread houses or cookies.
- Atmospheric: Fairy lights (battery-powered or plug-in), candles (real or LED for safety), sparklers, fake snow, Christmas storybooks.
- Interactive: A sled or sleigh, sidewalk chalk for drawing snowflakes. A large empty box wrapped as a present for kids to sit in. Baking props (rolling pin, cookie cutters, mixing bowl, flour, icing).
A Guide to Choosing Outfits for a Christmas Photoshoot
Christmas photoshoots aren’t about looking “perfect”. But choosing outfits is one of the most critical aspects of a Christmas portrait shoot. So, guide your clients with these tips.
Embrace the Holiday Palette
Your clients should go for seasonal tones: rich reds and greens, gold, cream, forest green, berry tones. You can go for analogous or complementary colors. If you aren’t sure which hues to choose, you can make use of Adobe’s Color Wheel.
Layer Up for Versatility & Texture
Encourage clients to mix textures like denim, velvet, corduroy, cable-knit wool, and lace. This will add depth and visual interest to your photos.
In cold weather, clients can wear warm coats, hats, gloves, thick knitwear, boots. In a mild climate, light knit sweaters and breathable fabrics can help to evoke a Christmas feeling without your clients getting uncomfortable.
Here’s a tip!
You don’t need everyone wearing the same print. Pick one person wearing a patterned item (like a plaid shirt or a Norwegian knit sweater), then have others wear solids that pick up the same color tones.
Comfort is Key
For couples or solo portraits, you can go for more formal or styled attire. But if it’s a family photoshoot, remind clients that stiff, formal wear can be restrictive, especially for children. Elegant doesn’t have to mean uncomfortable. Flowing velvet dresses or soft, well-fitting sweaters can be both stylish and easy to move in.
What to Avoid:
- Large Prints. They make a photo look old-fashioned and distract from the subject’s face.
- Overly Baggy Clothing. It can make your subjects look bigger than they actually are.
- Neon and Extremely Bright Colors. They can create unflattering color casts on skin tones.
- Everyone in Identical Outfits. While matching PJs are fun, for regular portraits, aim for coordination, not uniformity.
Prep Your Christmas Photos for Web
Ready to share your Christmas portraits online? You have to optimize your images for the web properly
Here are a few key tools that can be of great use:
- Image Cropper. This tool is essential for changing aspect ratios to fit different platforms – e.g., cropping your image to 9:16 to share it as an Instagram Story.
- Image Resizer. Do you need a smaller version of a photo to send as a preview? Our resizer allows you to change pixel dimensions while maintaining the original aspect ratio.
- Image Compressor. Large, high-quality image files can slow down your website’s loading speed. Luckily, you can use our image compressor to reduce the file size without a noticeable loss of quality.
- Watermarking App. Before sharing your work online, especially on social media, you should add an unobtrusive logo or textual watermark. This will protect your works from unauthorized use or distribution.
- Blur Tool. It can be a lifesaver if you need to blur license plates or people’s faces in a quick and easy way.
Wrapping Up
And there you have it! A great selection of ideas to make your Christmas photoshoots magical this year.
We hope this guide has sparked your creativity and given you the confidence to try something new, whether it’s a messy gingerbread lifestyle session or an elegant, minimalist portrait in a studio.
Remember, the real magic is in the genuine laughter, the warm hugs, and the excitement in your clients’ eyes. Your most powerful tool is your ability to make everyone feel comfortable and joyful in front of your lens. So, don’t stress about getting every single detail perfect. Focus on capturing the love and the fun, and the beautiful photos will follow.
We’re wishing you a holiday season filled with incredible light, heartfelt moments, and a fully booked calendar! Now go out there and create some magic.
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