How to Prepare for a Holiday Photo Session: 10 Tips for Success
Now that it’s November, our minds are in holiday mode…gift guides, hosting meals and the often dreaded holiday photo sessions. With that being said, I thought it would be helpful and fun to share my favorite tips on how to prepare for a holiday photo session. I do photo shoots for the blog on a weekly basis, but family photo sessions tend to bring an added layer of stress. This is especially true when there are children involved. If you’re someone who dreads Christmas card photos, have no fear! I’m excited to share ten tips to help your family prepare for a successful holiday photo session. I’m also going to share some holiday outfit ideas for family pictures. I hope these tips make your upcoming holiday photo sessions easy and fun!
10 Tips for a Successful Holiday Photo Session
Over the years, I’ve found that each stage of motherhood brings its own challenges when it comes to holiday photos. During the baby days we were trying to find the perfect time gap between endless naps and feedings. The toddler days brought photo session tantrums and difficulties in getting the boys to pay attention. As they get older, there are sometimes attitudes that aren’t always “happy” to take family photos.
Yet, through these challenges, I’ve come up with different ways to prepare for holiday photo sessions. These tips have really helped ease the dread in our family. Additionally, I have found that looking back on previous holiday photo shoots brings a smile to my face, even if they are pictures of a crying baby. In the end, the pictures are about capturing the moment and the special season with your loved ones. Here are my favorite ways to prepare for a holiday photo session to ensure success!
1. Do something you all enjoy.
Ever wonder why so many of our family photo shoots are on a dock? This is because my kids love fishing, so taking photos on the dock ensures they are having fun. In return, we get pictures of happy, smiling boys. When preparing for your holiday photo session, I highly recommend doing something you all enjoy. Do your kids love running around the park and having a picnic? Are they more comfortable at home where they can play with toys in between pictures? Do they enjoy crossing tasks off a Christmas bucket list that could include holiday photos? Take things like this into consideration and plan a fun family activity during your holiday photo session.
2. Book a mini shoot for your holiday photo session.
I book a mini shoot to set our holiday photo session up for success. I do not recommend booking a full session. I’ve learned that fifteen minutes is the time limit that my kids can tolerate being in photos. Anything beyond that isn’t fun for any of us, even my husband starts getting a little antsy!
3. Be prepared with treats for a holiday photo session.
There are a few reasons I always recommend bringing treats to a holiday photo session. First, if your kids know there are treats afterwards, they will have something to look forward to. I think everyone deserves a little reward after a successful photo shoot. It really is hard work! Additionally, sometimes it might take a little bribery to get the “perfect shot”. I know you’re technically not supposed to bribe kids with treats, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do! I think treats can be especially persuasive in holiday photo shoots during the toddler years.
4. Don’t put yourself off until the last minute.
I think every mom is guilty of this from time to time. We get busy taking care of everyone and everything else and don’t prioritize ourselves. I’ve found that putting yourself off until the last minute will only add stress to a holiday photo session. Instead, you’ll feel better if you take the appropriate time for yourself. Choose an outfit you feel great in. Plan enough time to finish your hair and makeup without rushing. If you’re at ease and feeling confident, your family is more likely to be as well.
5. Wear false eyelashes for added confidence.
Sometimes the smallest changes can make a big difference. For me, one of those small changes is wearing false eyelashes. As I approach 40, I’ve found that a good pair of fake lashes boosts my confidence, especially during photo sessions. I love this pair of false eyelashes because they look soft and natural. If you find they are too much for you, you can cut them in half, and just apply to the outer part of your eyelash line. And here’s a fun fact…applying fake lashes is maybe my number one skill! But, if you have a hard time applying them, you can always ask a friend to help.
6. Choose coordinating family outfits for holiday photo sessions.
I could write an entire post about tips for choosing outfits for holiday photo sessions. But, for today’s post I’m going to keep it pretty basic. First, make sure everyone’s outfits are on the same page. If I’m wearing a beautiful floor length gown, it would look pretty silly if my kids are in jeans and simple t-shirts. The whole family should be on the same page with casual or dressy holiday outfits. I also recommend coordinating family outfits, but not fully matching. I think if the whole family matches it can be a little too much. Additionally, I love mixing textures. Velvet and cotton? Yes, please! I’ve touched on this topic in previous posts as well. You can check out some of my favorite places to shop for boys’ holiday outfits and our family holiday outfits from previous years. You might also find inspiration in our family’s multigenerational family photo shoot. At the end of this post you’ll find my holiday family picture clothes picks for this year. Lots of fun to mix and match there!!
7. Be prepared for holiday photo sessions with backup clothes.
If you’re having your holiday photo session somewhere other than your home, I recommend bringing backup clothes. This tip is especially important for kids. We all know that an outfit can get ruined even during a short drive. Bringing backup clothes helps prepare for a successful photo session and can save a lot of heartache.
8. Pack a hair brush.
Everyone feels a little more put together after a quick hair brushing session! I always feel like running my hair through a comb or brush instantly adds volume. It also makes my hair look less stringy. Additionally, my kids always need a quick brush immediately before a holiday photo session! This is the brush I use with my kids, and this one is my beloved brush that gives me instant shine and volume.
9. Have some fun with holiday pajamas!
Okay, this holiday photo session tip might be a little surprising, but hear me out. Everyone loves matching holiday pajamas. They’re cute, comfy and oftentimes affordable. Plus, they’re fun! We’ve done holiday photo sessions in our pajamas in the past and they’re some of my favorite pictures. Everyone was comfortable, finding outfits was less stressful and we got so much use out of the pjs. I definitely think this tip makes for a fun and memorable holiday photo session! Make some magic by My favorite are Petite Plume, Hanna Anderson, and Tuckernuck has a bunch right now.
10. Enjoy the moment.
Sometimes we get caught up in the stress and haste of holiday photos and don’t enjoy the moment. I’m guilty of this myself. Instead, I think it’s important to stand back and soak it all in. Take a second to look around at the beautiful faces of your loved ones, even the ones that may have a slight photo shoot induced attitude. Be grateful for it all, even the chaos, because eventually you will miss these days! I also always look back and laugh at those photos that totally show the reality of the shoot.
a couple bonus tips:
- Always make sure everyone is touching. Kids hands are holding. Your husband has his hand on your back or a child. It makes for a connected look!
- Let the kids get their sillies out by having the photographer take a couple silly pics, then say they’ve got to take the real deal pics after!
- Book the same photographer over and over. Eventually they will know your families quirks so well, it will become SO easy for everyone.
Preparing for a Successful Holiday Photo Session
I hope these ten tips have taught you how to prepare for a holiday photo session. Be sure to save this post so you can look back on it in upcoming years. I know that holiday photos can be stressful, especially with kids. Over the years I’ve come up with these tips for success, but I’m still learning. If you have any additional tips on how to prepare for holiday photo sessions, please share them in the comments. I know that others would enjoy reading them as well! I would also love to hear about it if you try any of these tips for your holiday photo session this year. If so, let me know how it goes. Remember, in the end the picture doesn’t have to be “perfect” for you to look back and fondly enjoy the memories!
photography by Alisia Thompson
