Odds are you’ve admired the yearly Christmas cards that come out from your friends, complete with a cute family picture, and wondered about how to create a holiday photo tradition yourself. It’s easier than you think!
Why Create a Holiday Photo Tradition?
Families are most likely to come together over the holidays. This makes Thanksgiving through New Year’s the perfect time of year to get updated photos! Using those pictures for greeting cards is a great way to stay connected with far-flung friends and family. And it’s also wonderful to have a record of your family’s growth as you come together each year and capture the changing stages of life.
Ideas on How to Make Holiday Photos an Annual Tradition
Announce it — You’re more likely to follow through if the rest of your family knows it’s coming!
Schedule it early — If you’re hiring a professional photographer, their schedules fill up very quickly. (You can expect to have pictures taken in October or November rather than December). And even if you’re doing it on your own, you want time to get photos edited and printed.
Find a photographer — Many of my clients come to me year after year for their holiday photos. It’s something we all look forward to, and it gets us in the holiday spirit! Even if your budget doesn’t allow for a professional though, you could exchange services with a friend so they can take photos of your family and you can take photos of theirs.
Incorporate holiday photos into an existing tradition — Does your family get matching PJs every year? Make that your photo theme! Do you always go to Grandma’s for Thanksgiving? Then it’s the perfect time for some multi-generational family photos as well. Maybe your annual tradition is to visit a Christmas tree farm, or have your kids help decorate the Christmas tree. Either would be perfect backdrops for pictures!
Use your holiday photos — Pictures are meant to be shared! Holiday photos make beautiful and personalized greeting cards, but there are lots of other ways you can use them too. You can incorporate them in a new ornament every Christmas, switch out the family portrait in your living room in preparation for the new year, or give them as gifts.
Make it fun — When you create a holiday photo tradition, it should be something everyone can look forward to. Maybe that means part of your photoshoot is a dance party (great candid shots!) Maybe that means hot cocoa and cookies afterwards. It might mean dressing up in fancy clothes, matching outfits…or pajamas! Get creative and do whatever you think will help your family enjoy themselves and each other.
Happy Holidays!
Whatever it looks like for your family, I hope you have a great time as you create a holiday photo tradition! Enjoy each other, and enjoy this festive time of year! Happy holidays and lots of love,
Shannon
