From Paws to Santa Claus: A Guide to Pet Photos for Your 2024 Christmas Cards

Add a touch of holiday cheer with fun holiday-themed accessories that are also comfortable and safe for your pet.

• Antlers. Transform your pet into a cute reindeer with a pair of antlers. Choose lightweight, adjustable antlers to ensure your pet's comfort. This look works especially well for medium to large dogs, but can be adorable on cats too if they're patient enough!
• Santa Hats. A classic Santa hat can instantly make your pet look holiday-ready. Opt for a hat with an elastic band to keep it in place. For smaller pets or those who don't like things on their heads, consider a tiny Santa hat that clips onto their collar instead.
• Bows. For a touch of elegance, try festive bows. You can attach them to your pet's collar, harness, or even gently clip them to their fur (using pet-safe clips). Choose colors that complement your pet's fur – red and green are classic, but gold or silver can be stunning on darker-coated pets.
• Holiday Sweaters. Keep your pet warm and stylish with a holiday sweater. Look for designs with easy on/off access and make sure it's not too tight or restrictive. Popular options include Fair Isle patterns, snowflake designs, or sweaters that make your pet look like an elf or Santa.

Get creative and color-coordinate between the family members. Remember to settle on a color palette and consider complimentary colors that will help match you to the season, background, or simply each other. Feel free to stray from the classic red and green color combo and opt for wintery whites or an array of blues and neutrals. Just make sure your pet’s color fur is contrasted with whatever they’re wearing, otherwise, it might blend in too much.

For something a little more joyful and whimsical, wear coordinating, matching outfits. It can be anything from similar sweaters, Christmas light necklaces, matching socks, or even a onesie. You can never go wrong with a flannel look in your Christmas photo! The possibilities are endless, and you can check out our Christmas outfit ideas guide for more inspiration.

Try a jumping photo where all members are caught mid-air either outside or indoors by the tree. Use treats if your dog is trained to jump for them, or you can bring along a frisbee or a tennis ball to encourage them to get airborne. If timing the jumps with your pet is too difficult and your pet is small enough, try holding them in your arms while jumping.

Take the camera down to ground level and snap a few family pictures with your dog at an angle that captures the world through their eyes. If you want to include family members in the photo too, place your pet closest to the camera with the rest of the family in the background slightly out of focus.

Show friends and family how much you truly love your pooch! Pick your dog off the ground and wrap both hands around them to show them off to the world. Be sure to take a collection of photos, as it can sometimes be challenging to get your dog to look into the camera. This pose works great if you have multiple pets or both dogs and cats, as different family members can hold each pet and keep them calm and separated for the picture.

Wrap a box up as a present with one side open so that your pet can peek out of it. For cats who especially love boxes, it should be a breeze getting them to stay in one. Prop the present box by the tree, the fire, or have a family member hold the box for a festive look.

Cookies for Santa, or should we say biscuits? Lay some treats and milk out for Santa, but make sure your pet doesn’t nibble away at these tasty bits until after the photo. A funny Christmas card photo idea could feature a second plate (next to Santa’s plate of cookies) with a sign that says “[Your Dog’s Name] treats” or “reindeer biscuits”, with your dog munching away on them. Or, can they balance a treat on their nose and show good discipline!

Set up a backdrop that creates a magical winter wonderland for your pet’s photo shoot. If you live somewhere with snow, you can take the photoshoot outdoors and snap some action shots of your pet frolicking in the snow or beside snow-covered greenery or trees. For an indoor option, have your pet pose beside your fireplace or tree with cutouts of snowflakes, white and silver tinsel, and other festive snowy decorations.

Candids and accidental moments can sometimes make for the best and pictures! While you might try your best to get your pet to behave so you can get the perfect shot, sometimes a funny picture of your pet sticking out their tongue or even licking your face can make for an unexpectedly adorable holiday card photo. Take a look through some of your “outtakes” and see if any make for good action shots you can use.

Give your cat or dog the spotlight with this artistic Christmas pet photo pose. Add some front door decorations like a wreath, sprigs of holly, or Christmas lights to set the holiday backdrop, then have your pet sit and stay while you take their portrait. The Christmas mantle or beside the family tree are other areas that make for great backdrops for pet portraits, too.

Wrap you and your pet in a cozy holiday blanket for a comfortable, close-up shot. This pose creates a warm, intimate feel perfect for showcasing the bond between you and your furry friend. It's also a great option for pets who might be uncomfortable with more elaborate setups.

Capture a sweet moment between you and your pet under some mistletoe. For dogs, this could be a kiss on the head. For cats, a gentle nose boop might be more their style. This pose adds a touch of holiday romance and humor to your card.

Remember, you don't have to limit yourself to just one perfect shot! Minted offers a variety of multi-photo holiday cards that allow you to showcase all your favorite moments from your pet photo shoot. This is a great way to capture different poses, expressions, or even include photos of multiple pets. Consider a collage-style card or a folded card with space for several images to tell a more complete story of your furry family members this holiday season.

Capturing a Christmas photo with your pets can be difficult since some pets may be camera shy, scared, or simply confused by a camera. To get them comfortable with being in front of one, give them the opportunity to sniff out the camera and become familiar with it. Click a few shots away from them so that they are ok with the sounds. Giving treats will help show them that the camera isn’t a threat. This will help encourage positive associations with it so that once you start clicking away, they’re not running.

Is your dog or cat always looking off into the distance? While cute in some candid photos, maybe you would prefer them to look in the same direction as everyone else. To help with this, we recommend squeezing their favorite squeaky toy or dangling a treat above the camera, then calling their name. This will help get them excited and look your way for the photo. Holding their attention will be even easier if you reduce as many external distractions as possible like loud music, other animals, or strangers.

We all know getting the perfect Christmas pet photos may require repeated attempts. This might mean carrying your pet for longer than they are used to or expecting them to sit or lay for longer than they would like. Maybe they’re bored or antsy, and like kids, would rather run off and play with a squirrel they saw. Pets typically respond negatively to unfamiliar or stressful situations, which often makes them less inclined to sit still. Before the photoshoot, play with your pets so that they are happy and tired out. Consider taking them for a walk or playing a game of tug a war with your dog. For cats, laser pointers or a dangling feather toy are often a hit. Relaxation supplements are also readily available at your local pet shop. These supplements are safe and will help put them at ease by reducing stress and anxiety. This will be particularly useful if your pet is feeling uncomfortable during a lengthy photo shoot.

Just as people get done up before a photoshoot, groom your pet to make sure they’re looking their best. While a professional grooming session may not be on the docket this year, you’d be surprised how much of a difference bathing or brushing out their fur can make.

When setting up your holiday photo shoot, always prioritize your pet's safety and comfort. Use pet-friendly props that won't cause harm if chewed or knocked over. Avoid small items that could be swallowed, and make sure any lights or electrical decorations are out of reach. Choose non-toxic, pet-safe materials for any DIY props or backdrops. Remember, a happy and relaxed pet makes for the best photos, so create an environment where they feel safe and at ease.

Aim for good lighting by shooting during golden hour or in a space where natural light is abundant. During golden hour the sun is low and more diffused, so it will give your Christmas photos with pets a warm and golden glow. If you’re unable to take a photo during that period, opt for an area with lots of natural light which will allow you to skip the flash. Flashes can often create poor coloration or that yellow-green light in your pet’s eyes. Additionally, the sudden burst of light from flashes may startle your pets and increase stress. For more lighting tips, read through our additional tips for taking photographs yourself.

Capturing the perfect photo is stressful already, so instead of worrying about poses with your dog, candid photos are always fun and natural. Action shots of your pets playing, running, or even blissfully laying in your lap are great options. Allow your pet to be comfortable in their typical surroundings and you’ll be able to capture their happy everyday emotions on camera. Just keep your camera or phone handy since you never know when they’re going to do the silliest or picture-worthy thing.

Having a lot of options will be helpful in case someone closes their eyes, looks in the wrong direction, or moves. The variety of options will also make pairing it with a card easier since some Minted designs look better with a close-up or panned-out image. If you’re indecisive but love multiple shots, you’ll be able to choose multi-photo designs or even booklet style cards to feature plenty of your favorite pet photos.

Pro Tip:

Minted offers a hue array of holiday card formats you can select from. If you’re having trouble picking a favorite, try our Text Us Your Photo service. Minted makes it easy by sending you 5 designs that will pair well with your photo, or photos!

While we’ve given you plenty of guidance on what to do when taking a photo of your pet, there are a few things you’ll want to avoid doing to get the purrfect shot.

• Don't use flash photography, as it can startle or disorient your pet.
• Avoid noisy props or sudden loud sounds that might frighten your pet.
• Don't force your pet into uncomfortable positions or costumes they clearly dislike.
• Avoid cluttered backgrounds that can distract from your pet.
• Don't rush the process – patience is key to getting great pet photos.
• Avoid scheduling the photo shoot during your pet's usual nap or meal times.
• Don't forget to take breaks if your pet seems tired or uninterested.

If you feel like coordinating outfits and a photoshoot is altogether too much work, help is abundant. Local and chain pet shops like PetSmart and PetCo often have in-store events offering free pet photos with Santa. You can also check if one of your local malls or outlets is hosting a “Take Your Picture with Santa” event that welcomes every member of the family, pets included.

You can also check Minted's list of top-notch photographers to find a photographer in your state that can take photos with you and your furry friend. Professional photoshoots range widely in cost but can start around $250 for 60 minutes. Share with your photographer that you want to have a photo taken with your pet, so they can help you nail the best poses with dogs or cats, lighting, props, and backgrounds. The resulting photos are sure to be instant favorites that you’ll want to use in beautifully framed photo wall art, puzzles, and more.

Now that you’ve gotten the perfect Christmas pet photos, you might be wondering how to pair it with a clever holiday greeting. The traditional “Happy Holidays”, “Joy To The World”, or anything on our list of 130 Christmas card messages can do the trick, but in case you prefer something a little punnier, draw some inspiration from the list below! With Minted cards, you can easily swap out the greeting if you have something else you like better.

• Feliz Naughty Dog
• Have a Meowy Christmas!
• Happy Howlidays!
• Hoping Your Holiday Is Warm and Fuzzy
• Have A Howly Jowly Christmas
• Up to Snow Good
• May Your Holidays Be Furry and Bright
• Paws to Enjoy The Season
• Furever Merry
• Paw-la-la-la-la
• Barking Around The Christmas Tree

Odds are, you likely already have a few tubes of this lying around. Washable body paint and finger paint will work best but tempera or water-based ones will work too. For tempera and water-based paint, just make sure it's labeled as non-toxic and child-safe. Tempera paints come in both matte and glossy finishes so it does offer a little more creative room. When working with paint, be sure to wash off their paws immediately after stamping to avoid potential digestion. Even though it's non-toxic, eating paint should still be avoided if possible.

Skip the paints and inks by using an edible alternative. Mix a package of Kool-Aid with some water to create a thick paste. Make sure to keep the amount of water moderate since if there’s too much water then it will not properly stick to their paws. Spread the paste or brush it onto their paws and once it's coated, press it into the paper. Allow the imprint to dry out completely before closing the card and stuffing them into the envelopes. Once that’s done, reward them by letting them lick it off, it’s perfectly safe! Use a wet towel or grooming wipe if you prefer they do not consume the sugars.

Ink pads can be an easier and less messy alternative. Craft shops like Hobby Lobby often sell ink pads made specifically to be pet-friendly, so be sure to check the stamp aisles. Our favorite is Colorbox Pawprints. With a steady hand, these ink pads will help leave the best impression.

You can also create a custom stamp of their paws. Various online retailers will create a custom stamp of your pet’s paw. All they’ll need is a photo or outline of their paw print. If you opt for this route, you’ll be able to use a larger variety of paints and inks, especially those with glitter which can be a fun touch for the holidays.

When stamping pawprints, make sure your pet is first on board to help. Trim long nails and clean their paws. A quick wipe down with a moist towel should do the trick!