8 fun family Christmas photoshoot ideas for all ages

Christmas is a time to be with family and friends and loved ones. There is no better way to celebrate and record your family with a family Christmas photoshoot, but what does this entail? here are some of our top ideas to have a successful family Christmas photoshoot and what you can do to make this a fun filled and memorable event that your family enjoys rather than something they have to endure.

Family Christmas photoshoot ideas to try out

1. Traditional family Christmas photoshoot ideas are timeless and go a long way . There are plenty of photographers that do setups at this time of year and then create mini session opportunities. This is a smaller shoot that only lasts 15 or 20 minutes and are normally in one location and with one setup . This is great if you just want a couple of photos , but bear in mind that they wont be unique to you , there may be other families with the same backgrounds etc. But in terms of making this quick and painless for your family, it does that.
2. If you want your family’s Christmas photoshoot ideas to be more personalised then you can rather use your own set up and Christmas decorations at home as your background – this makes the photoshoot more personal to you and has the added advantage of being done in your own home with your own taste.
3. You can take this a step further and photograph family events and traditions around Christmas such as decorating the tree, wrapping presents or singing Christmas carols – why not turn this into a less posed family photoshoot? This is a winner over awkward posing moments, you can still do a few posed photos after the setup, but this will get everyone more involved and you can have a lot of fun with it. You can even go as far as creating your own Christmas decorations etc.
4. Host a pyjama party with your family – use your Christmas pyjamas as your outfit, get everyone dressed up and show them off for your Christmas postcard. You can make this more fun by all cuddling on your bed or having an impromptu pillow fight, or exchanging a gift to be opened during the photoshoot, in the spirit of giving.
5. Have your family Christmas photoshoot ideas in a chistmassy location such as a pine forest , or wild holly bushes, and embrace the natural look of Christmas. if you are lucky enough to live in a place with snow then use this to your advantage, but otherwise dressing for the occasion in colder climates are also a traditional Christmas look.
6. In the South Africa or the Netherlands there are places you can take a walk as a family during blue hour and admire all of the christmas lights and festivals- this is also a great photo opportunity especially for kids who will be so excited about the lights you most probably will not have to worry about faking it. A Christmas market in utrecht with the sights and smells is an alternative to this. 
7. If you have a newborn or toddler then this is a great opportunity to show them off to the world in any cute Christmassy outfit – I have a number of these in my closet, but you can also use your own or buy from places like next.
8. Last but not least if you have older or teenage kids then they will probably have a lot of fun messing around with Christmas props such as hats and glasses like this bunch below.

If you are planning to have your own family Christmas photoshoot at home, here are some of the props you can consider or think about which will make for amazing photos, and bring your family Christmas photoshoot ideas to life.

1. A Christmas tree is a must—whether you plan to decorate it during the shoot or have it already decorated, it’s generally the basis of your Christmas background.
2. Decorations to put on the Christmas tree or around the Christmas tree such as tinsel and baubles and of course the star are very photogenic
3. Christmas lights are great for a photo shoot and bring that Christmassy vibe
4. Christmas stockings are a great addition to hang above a fireplace either in the background or hang them during your photoshoot.
5. Christmas presents – if you don’t have them yet you can wrap a couple of boxes in the colours for your photoshoot as decoration.

As with any photoshoot, a little preparation is key , so here are some tips to help you do that.

How to prepare for your family christmas photoshoot ideas

1. Plan your family Christmas photoshoot well in advance – as early as October is a good time to start, as it takes time to arrange a slot for the photoshoot and make sure they are edited in time for Christmas – if you want them to be printed fo items like calendars or postcards then this will still give you enough time to do that.
2. Think about the decor, background or items and vibe you want to have in your family Christmas photoshoot ideas. If you are not buying your own decor or using your own space then be sure to communicate with your photographer beforehand what you are looking for.
3. Be on the lookout for specials or mini sessions from early on if this is what you are looking for for your shoot – Photographers will normally run these on specific dates and will have limited slots, so you need to be sure you will get one. Also ask to see what the setup will be so that you know if it fits with what you want.
4. Have fun picking out the outfits for your family Christmas photoshoot ideas, but do remember that although writing is fun, it doesn’t always show up in the photos properly .