40+ Family Christmas Photo Shoot Ideas For Your Holiday Cards

Does your family love to have fun together? Christmas family photos don’t need to be stiff and posed. Showcase your family’s personality in your holiday photo this year with some movement! Not only is this a great way to share the joy of the holiday season, but it's also a perfect solution for camera-shy family members. Not sure how to pose? Have a dance party! Jump in the air! Start a pillow fight! There are a lot of easy active Christmas card picture ideas. Friends and family will love your vibrant photo, and you won’t have to stress over how to pose everyone together.

Document the joyful chaos of a family ornament-making session! Break out the paint, glitter, and craft paper to create handmade ornaments and paper snowflakes. Capture candid shots of everyone absorbed in creativity—and bonus, you'll end up with treasured keepsakes from your messy, merry activity.

If your family is musically inclined, showcase your creative talent in your holiday photo! Have everyone get dressed in their holiday caroling outfits and then have them pose as if they are singing in front of your home (or another home on the block with great Christmas decorations). In addition to singing, you could also have family members pretend to play an instrument like the guitar, ukulele, or flute.

Another favorite family tradition is picking out the Christmas tree, which can lead to awesome Christmas photo shoot ideas for the holiday card. Capture a behind-the-scenes look at where your family accomplishes this task.

Is there anything more iconic than snapping a photo with the big man himself? Pile your family into the car and head to the local mall or community center where you know Santa will be making an appearance. Then, have everyone pose and embrace the hilarity that often ensues. Capturing your child crying or giving Santa a sly look will only make your photo full of even more authentic holiday cheer.

Highlight your family’s spirit of giving by photographing meaningful moments as you volunteer together this season. Whether donating gifts, serving meals, or packing care boxes, these authentic images showcase your values while spreading the warmth and generosity of the holidays.

If planning and orchestrating a family holiday photo shoot is just not in the cards this year, embrace all the photos you already have on your phone! Even the simplest photos can be spruced up by making them black and white or using a program to apply an artistic filter. Zooming in on your subject’s faces and cropping out anything in the background is another simple trick. There are many ways to start with a simple phone photo and transform it into a beautiful option for the front of your holiday card.

Make the love your family shares the focal point of your Christmas photo with a simple backdrop and casual clothes. Grab the kids, put on your favorite outfit, and have pictures taken in front of a simple gray or white wall. This is a great option for the family looking for an easy and beautiful family picture idea. Choosing a simple backdrop also opens up your options as far as a holiday card design. A chic minimalist photo will pair perfectly with a typographic, modern, or really any holiday card design you like!

Looking for a more classic vibe? You may want to consider a black and white theme as one of your family Christmas photo shoot ideas. A black and white photo is the perfect choice for a timeless Christmas photo that can be cherished for years to come. Black and white photos also pair well with colored Christmas card templates of any style. So if you have your eye on a bold card design, maybe a black and white photo is the right idea!

One of our favorite artistic family Christmas photo shoot ideas is to take the photo from a distance to incorporate some beautiful scenery alongside your family. Whether this is a favorite spot the family visits often or a location you discovered while on a family vacation, loved ones will enjoy the view.

Loving multi-photo Christmas card designs? Get some cute close-ups of your growing little ones. They grow up so fast, so it might be nice to take some individual shots of your children this Christmas. The grandparents will definitely love the additional close-ups!

Make your family the center of attention on your holiday card by taking up the whole frame. Focus on the bond your family shares by being the only subject of your Christmas photo shoot. This is the perfect family picture idea to capture a classic photo of your growing family. Simply find a comfortable spot and zoom in!

If your family includes young children, having small snacks on hand is a smart move to prevent mid-shoot meltdowns. Snacks are great for keeping little hands busy—and can double as cute props. Happy kids mean relaxed parents and natural, joyful photos!

Before your shoot, write down a quick list of 5–7 photos you’d love to capture. Having a shot list ensures you won’t miss out on those special moments and helps keep everyone organized. You’ll be amazed at how smoothly things go when you plan ahead!

Planning your holiday card layout ahead of time can be incredibly helpful. Knowing if you’ll feature one standout image, a collage, or vertical shots helps you intentionally frame and compose your pictures. This little bit of prep makes choosing your final card a breeze.

For families with younger children, scheduling your photo shoot around naps and meal times is a lifesaver. Pick a time when everyone is rested, fed, and cheerful to ensure genuine smiles. Trust us—a well-timed shoot is your ticket to stress-free family photos!

A little festive music can go a long way to loosen everyone up! Create a playlist of favorite holiday tunes to help your family dance, laugh, and enjoy the session. Fun background music sets a relaxed tone and is perfect for capturing candid, playful shots.

Capturing your family’s perfect holiday photos can come with a few questions—here’s everything you need to know to ensure a stress-free and enjoyable photo shoot experience.

Both options are great! A professional photographer brings expertise and high-quality results, while a DIY approach offers flexibility, spontaneity, and often more authentic moments. Think about your budget, time availability, and the style of photos you want.

You don't need professional gear to get beautiful holiday photos! A smartphone with a good camera or an entry-level DSLR works wonderfully. Just make sure you're using natural lighting whenever possible for vibrant, clear images. (And check out this article for more DIY photo tips.)

Planning outfits ahead of time helps avoid last-minute stress. Ensure clothes fit comfortably and coordinate nicely without being overly matchy. Keep basic grooming supplies handy, like combs, lint rollers, and wipes, for quick touch-ups during the shoot.

Aim for a photo shoot duration of around 30–60 minutes. This timeframe works well for young children’s attention spans and helps everyone stay comfortable, energetic, and engaged throughout the session.

Either choice works beautifully. Including extended family can make the photo more meaningful and memorable, while immediate family portraits capture intimate moments. Consider who you're sharing the cards with and what feels most authentic to your family.

Beyond holiday cards, consider turning your photos into personalized calendars, framed gifts, custom ornaments, or family photo albums. These items become treasured keepsakes to enjoy for years to come.

Schedule your photo shoot around 3–4 weeks before you plan to send out your cards. This allows ample time for choosing favorite images, editing, printing, and mailing without rushing or unnecessary stress.