Your 2020 Guide to Family Holiday Photos

2020 has been an unconventional year. Through endless Zoom meetings, FaceTime chats, and virtual gatherings, we have all become experts in connecting with our family and friends from a distance.

As the COVID-19 pandemic persists, we need the holiday spirit more than ever. This season, sending holiday photography and cards to our quarantined loved-ones is a must. For the grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who are unable to travel, receiving a holiday card might make all the difference.

Here are some tips for taking the best holiday photos with your family, all while doing it safely.

Your 2020 Guide To Family Holiday Photography Blog

Keep it small.

It is crucial to limit social gatherings, so keep your shoot small and intimate. Snapping photos with your immediate family, such as your spouse and children, will add a cozy, personable feel to your card. 

In addition, a private setting will do the trick.  For example, a great spot for a Christmas photo shoot is your own home, with a Christmas tree and festive decor as your backdrop. It’s personal, accessible, and safe. 

Jenkins Christmas Family Shoot

Use color coordination.

Using color coordination in your family photos will not only emphasize that cheery holiday feeling, but exude togetherness and unity. Don’t worry, you don’t need to convince your family to wear matching ugly Christmas sweaters; color coordination can be more subtle than that. Try picking a festive and cohesive color palette, and incorporating it in your outfits, props, and surrounding background. 

For example, Thanksgiving photography could include neutral, warm tones such as browns, dark reds, greens, and burnt oranges. 

Cole's First Christmas Family Photos

Don’t pose!

Family photos are always a bit awkward and difficult. If you have young children, getting them to sit still and say cheese is especially challenging. Instead, don’t pose at all! 

Candid photos come across as more authentic, and less stiff. Rather than posing, your photographer can capture your family doing a festive holiday activity: decorating a Christmas tree, setting the table for Thanksgiving dinner, lighting a menorah, opening gifts, or baking cookies. 

Jenkins Christmas Family Photos

Use props.

We’ve all got that special something that reminds us of the holiday season—an old stocking, ornament, decoration, toy, pillow. Using your favorite festive prop in your photo shoot will add a personal touch, and bring out that holiday theme. Props are also a great way to create more natural, authentic movement in your pictures.

Cole's First Christmas Photo Shoot
Cole's First Christmas Family Photos

Be silly!

This tip may seem silly, but it’s totally necessary. 2020 has been a tough year for many families. After tons of change and loss, silliness is highly needed, This holiday season may be unconventional, but we can still spread as much joy as ever. 

Fill your photos with big smiles, goofy expressions, funny poses, and lots of laughter. When your loved-one receives your card in their mailbox or e-mail inbox, it’s bound to brighten their day.

Miller Family Christmas Photo Shoot

Reaching out to our loved-ones is so important this holiday season, even if it’s from a distance. In 2020, our Thanksgiving feasts and Christmas mornings might be a bit smaller, but our holiday spirit doesn’t have to be.

You can’t miss out on our Cyber Monday $99 Holiday Shoot package, so book now!