8 DIY Holiday Photo Tips for Unforgettable Family Moments

Finding time to plan and shoot Christmas photos can be daunting because they are yet another thing on your growing list of holiday to-dos. However, with a little bit of planning, you can make your DIY Christmas family photos look like they were taken by a professional, even if you are taking family pictures yourself! In this article, we will cover the tips we have found most successful when planning DIY Christmas pictures, including the best poses, tools, and equipment you can use, the best time of day to shoot, and so much more. We hope you find these tips to be helpful in guiding you toward a successful DIY Christmas photo shoot.

The fun part about DIY Christmas photos is that you can truly make them your own. And what better way to show off your family’s personality than with a few great poses?

If you plan on using a tripod for your shoot, you want to first make sure that your family is placed in the center of the shot. Watch out for heads and limbs cropped from the view! You will also want to ensure your bodies are close together, to avoid large awkward gaps in the image. When you are all set up, try out a few of these pose options and have some fun taking your family pictures.

Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to invest in a shiny new camera for your DIY Christmas photos to look like they were taken by a professional. Nowadays, the photo-capturing capabilities of iPhones and Android phones surpass that of many digital cameras. Also, due to the increasing popularity of using a smartphone for group photos, companies are now selling tripods and remote controls, specifically for phones.

Here’s what you might need to help you get the shot:

• Smart Phone: Wipe off the lens of your iPhone and Android and enable your phone’s equivalent of “portrait mode” to make your DIY family pictures look like they were taken by a pro. The phone’s feature should beautifully enhance your family’s skin tone as well as blur the backdrop, allowing the full focus to be on you and your family. Further, if you take pictures on your smartphone, you can take advantage of Minted’s Text Us Your Photo service and receive five holiday card recommendations tailored to your family’s pictures!
• Smartphone tripod with accompanying remote: If you intend to use a phone for taking family pictures but do not want to fuss with a timer, purchase a tripod that comes with a remote. You can enable Bluetooth and snap a picture while you are coordinating your poses with your family.
• Selfie Stick: If you do not want to invest in a tripod for a single photoshoot, you can opt for a selfie stick. Selfie sticks are great because they allow you to see and adjust your angle in real-time to ensure you’re getting everyone’s best shot. Additionally, they provide a wider view of your family rather than simply using your arm.
• Digital Camera: If you would prefer to play around with the various functionalities that digital cameras have to offer, take a look at the latest selections by Nikon, Canon, Fujifilm, or Panasonic. Digital cameras can be purchased for beginners for a little over $100.
• Photo Editing App: You do not necessarily need the entire Adobe Creative Suite in order to edit your photos. Outside of Photoshop and Lightroom, you can also use phone apps such as Snapseed, VSCO, and Afterlight to color correct and apply any desired filters to enhance your family’s shine.

Coordinating your own DIY Christmas photos can be stressful, especially when young children (or pets) are involved. In order to keep things simple, you can choose a spot that is familiar and comfortable for you and your family, both indoors and outdoors.

• Outdoor Options: If you catch the right hour, you can take photos right outside your house, such as your front porch, backyard, or a nearby park. However, before you find your spot to post up, make sure you’re paying attention to the landscape and ensuring that it is tidy and not too distracting. Look out for branches that may obstruct your family’s faces or loose leaves and pedestrians that may detract from the key subject of the photograph.

Pro Tip: Consider personalized or meaningful locations—like your family's favorite park or any place where you share fond memories. This could help add emotional depth to your DIY Christmas photos and help everyone feel more relaxed.

• Indoor Options: If you find that taking family photos outside is too much of a hassle, you can always opt for a place inside your home. Look out for locations within your home that have a clean backdrop, plenty of space, and great lighting. Declutter the background to keep the focus on your family and avoid visual distractions. Potential places to set up your family photos can be your bedroom, living room, kitchen, entryway, or dining room. Also consider an area in the house that may be beautifully decorated with holiday decor, such as the Christmas mantel. If a clean backdrop is difficult to find, you can get creative and set up a curtain to act as your backdrop. The key is to choose a setting that allows your family's holiday spirit to shine through naturally in your DIY Christmas photos.

DIY Christmas photos can look completely professional with the right lighting. If you want to take great photos outside, or with natural light indoors, you will want to take them during the period referred to as “golden hour.”

Golden hour is the time of day right before sunrise and, again, right before sunset. The timing and duration of golden hour will vary based on your geography and the time of year; however, you can track both by doing a simple Google search. Be aware that, although it is called Golden Hour, it may last less than that; therefore, you will want to plan ahead with your family on exactly when the sun will be rising/setting.

Christmas Card by Pixel and Hank

The reason golden hour is so great for taking family pictures is that, during this time, there is a flattering, warm hue that accentuates the natural glow of your skin and smooths out any blemishes you may have. Also, at the time of golden hour, the light will not cast harsh shadows against the contours of your face but, rather, provide a soft dimension with long shadows.

To make the most of golden hour, be mindful of the following tips:

• Face the sun: It seems counterintuitive but the soft golden light will actually place a warm filter on you and your family’s face, rather than a stark highlight that would occur when the sun is at its highest. Since the light is low and diffused, you and your family will not have an issue with squinting at the camera and will also not have an issue with shiny spots on your faces.
• Avoid using full flash: If you have a digital camera, you can adjust your settings for a dimmer flash, rather than a full flash. The intent of this lower light flash is to add light to portions of your family photo without overtaking the Golden Hour hue as the primary source of light. If you are using your phone to capture your family photos, you can use a lamp or other item as an alternative light source. You can adjust the light source “settings” by bringing your lamp (or other illuminated items) closer and further away from your family.

Before you get in front of the camera, pull up a pinboard on Pinterest and create a general holiday aesthetic for your family’s wardrobe that captures the vibe you hope to achieve in your photos. Think about a cohesive color palette that will enhance your DIY Christmas photos, being very mindful to avoid mixing warm and cool tones together. You may also find our detailed post about Christmas outfits inspirational.

A few ideas, color-wise can be:

• Natural Earth Tones: Deviate from the standard bright red and green; instead, opt for more seasonal earth tones like brown, blush, rust, and pine green.
• Blue Hues: Express the holiday spirit by wearing light blues and neutrals. These colors will be complementary in the context of outdoor DIY Christmas pictures or holiday photos.
• Merry Mauve: Combine the warmth of the season with the coolness of the temperature by dressing your family in mauve for your DIY family pictures. Mix these colors with gray, white, and blush for a softer expression of the holiday.

While you are having fun with the color palette, you can also start thinking about the types of textures and patterns you want everyone to wear. Just be aware that, if you incorporate too many different patterns and textures on your family’s clothing, you risk overwhelming the picture and potentially detracting from your family’s faces. To avoid this, here are a few ideas on how to take group photos while also incorporating textures and patterns:

• Flannel: Although it may be a little cliched, flannel is a failsafe way to style your family for your DIY photo shoot. Once your family lands on a color scheme (i.e. red and black vs. green and black vs. red and white) you can all buy your own expression of it. The complementary colors with rich texture will make for a great family photo.
• Fair-Isle Knits: Embrace the warm holiday spirit and bundle up in cozy Fair-Isle knits. Think chunky sweaters, thick scarves, and pom pom hats with matching mittens. If you find that the neutral knits are too stark, play around with your seasonal accessories for that pop of color.
• Gingham: Exude classic vintage styling by donning gingham in various check sizes. Play around with the men of the family wearing gingham ties while the women wear a mixture of dresses and headbands.

After capturing your DIY Christmas photos, a few simple edits can take them from good to great. Here are some post-processing tips to enhance your final images:

1. Cropping: Adjust the composition by cropping out distracting elements or reframing the shot to focus on your family.
2. Exposure adjustment: Brighten underexposed areas or tone down overexposed parts to balance the light in your DIY Christmas photos.
3. Color correction: Adjust the white balance to ensure the colors in your photos look natural and festive.
4. Filters: Apply subtle filters to add warmth or a holiday mood to your DIY Christmas photos, but be careful not to overdo it.
5. Sharpening: Slightly increase the sharpness to make your DIY Christmas photos look crisper and more professional.

Remember, the goal of editing is to enhance your DIY Christmas photos, not completely change them. Aim to maintain the natural look and authentic feel of your family moments.

Sometimes the best moments for DIY Christmas photos are captured from previous trips and experiences. Take out your iPhone and look through your albums. Look for candid moments of the kids during that latest camping trip, moments of the family enjoying a meal together, or moments celebrating key milestones you experienced as a family in 2024.

Using moments from the past year will keep your loved ones informed of what you have done and capture these fond memories in a holiday card you can use as a keepsake. If you find a photo from the past that you like, download any of the photo editing apps previously mentioned and enhance them! Once you have your photos enhanced, you can then browse through Minted’s collection of photo holiday card designs that feature more than one picture and show all your favorite photos from the year.

Postcard Note by Ekko Studio

Now that you have taken the time to plan these DIY family pictures, it makes sense to show off your completed photos in numerous ways! Below are some great ways to repurpose your DIY Christmas photos for gifts or items to enjoy in your own home:

• Calendars - Start your calendar on any month, and customize it with your favorite photos from the session.
• Journals - Customize a notebook as a planner, address book, or 80-page journal and incorporate images onto the front cover to make it your own.
• Heart Snapshot Mix Photo Gift - Personalize a beautiful heart collage with photos of your loved ones. It can be enjoyed for years to come and will help keep those DIY family pictures alive.
• Photo Art Gifts - Framed photos are perfect for family gifts throughout the holiday season or may be exactly what you need in your own home.

Before you start snapping those perfect holiday moments, use this checklist to ensure you're fully prepared for your DIY Christmas photo shoot:

• Choose the right date: Select a day when all family members are available and, ideally, well-rested.
• Create a shot list: Plan out the specific DIY Christmas photos you want to capture, including different poses and groupings.
• Prepare outfits in advance: Coordinate your family's outfits and have them ready the night before to avoid last-minute stress. For outdoor photoshoots, consider layering options and comfortable footwear suitable for the location. Choose outfits that reflect your family's style — whether it's formal, casual, outdoorsy, or bohemian.
• Check your equipment: Ensure your camera or smartphone is fully charged and you have enough storage space for photos.
• Scout locations: If shooting outdoors, visit the location in advance to check lighting and potential backdrops.
• Plan for breaks: If you have young children, schedule in short breaks to keep everyone happy and engaged.
• Prepare props: Gather any holiday-themed props you want to include in your DIY Christmas photos.
• Have a backup plan: If you're planning outdoor DIY Christmas photos, have an indoor alternative ready in case of bad weather.
• Pack essentials: Bring water, snacks, and anything else you might need to keep your family comfortable during the shoot.
• Review your tips: Go over the DIY Christmas photo tips in this article to refresh your memory on poses, lighting, and composition.

By checking off these items, you'll be well-prepared for your DIY Christmas photo shoot, increasing your chances of capturing those perfect holiday moments with less stress and more joy.

Creating beautiful DIY Christmas photos is an achievable goal with the right preparation, techniques, and a dash of creativity. By following these tips, you're well on your way to capturing priceless holiday memories.

Remember, the most important aspect of your DIY Christmas photos is capturing the genuine joy and love shared by your family. Don't stress too much about perfection; instead, focus on creating a fun and relaxed atmosphere that allows your family's personality to shine through. So grab your camera, gather your loved ones, and start creating those magical DIY Christmas photos that you'll treasure for years to come.