Tips for DIY Family Photos This Holiday Season

If you’re like me and try to save money whenever you can, you may have opted to take your own holiday photos rather than hire a photographer. Even if this isn’t you, the current pandemic may have impacted you financially or even scared you out of a photography session this holiday season. Whatever the case may be, I’ve been taking my own holiday photos since my daughter was born in 2017. It’s been trial and error and I’ve learned a lot along the way! I’m going to share all of my tips, tricks, and best practices to DIY family photos. Hopefully this will save you the headache and help you get the best possible holiday family photo from the comfort of your own home!

Disclaimer: these probably won’t look as good as professional photos, but they are definitely Christmas card and social media worthy!

1. Equipment

I don’t have a fancy camera and I’m not sure if I ever plan to buy one. All of my photos are taken with my handy dandy iPhone. I currently have an iPhone 11, but have been taking my own holiday photos since I had an iPhone 7. If you have an older phone or don’t have an iPhone, don’t worry. If you follow the tips below you can still get decent amateur photos with any good quality smart phone’s camera. However, if you do have a fancy digital camera, use it!

Regardless of the camera you are using, one piece of equipment I highly recommend is a tripod. If you don’t already own one, it’s worth investing in if you plan to continue taking your own photos. Without a tripod, getting a good family photo will be difficult if you plan to have the entire family in the photo.

You will also need a self-timer on the phone or camera you are using. If your phone doesn’t have a timer, you can easily download a camera app to do it for you. I currently use Photo Timer+. This is my favorite app to use for photos because it will take multiple shots at once, allowing you to change poses or your photo arrangement if necessary.

2. Backdrop and Props

For holiday photos, I’ve always found it easiest to utilize my Christmas decor. Decorated trees and mantles make for a low-effort backdrop. If you’re not a fan of your decor or simply want to go another route, there are other options. Bulletin board paper, gift wrap, and fabric from the craft store all make for great backdrops. Just find (or clear) a space along your wall and secure your backdrop of choice with heavy duty tape. 

Don’t be afraid to get creative! If you’re using a solid backdrop such as bulletin board paper, hang some garland or a “Happy Holidays” sign on it to spice it up a bit. Wrapped gifts also make for great props and really bring the holiday spirit into the photo.

3. Lighting

When I first started taking my own holiday photos, I couldn’t afford to buy additional lighting. I opted to lighten my photos on an editing app like Facetune instead. The first photo above was lightened using Facetune, but the photo directly above this paragraph was not and you can definitely see the difference. This option works, but photos definitely look better when you use professional lighting. 

If you’re willing to spend a little on lighting, you have two options. The first, and less expensive option is to replace the light bulbs in the room you’re using for the photo shoot. You can use clear bulbs that emit white light and this will enhance your photo. Another tip to use along with this is to remove lampshades so nothing is blocking the light. 

The more expensive option is to purchase photography lighting. When I say more expensive I don’t mean unaffordable. I currently use a ring light that cost me about thirty dollars. These can be found easily with a google search and have done wonders for my picture quality. You can also choose to buy reflectors and light boxes, depending on your preference. 

Bonus Tip: A piece of cardboard wrapped in aluminum foil makes for a temporary reflector.

4. Wardrobe

It is a great idea to plan what your family will wear. Coordinating outfits make for a more aesthetically pleasing photo. Already bought family Christmas pajamas? Bam, double duty! You can also opt for holiday dresses for little girls or make it fun and go for an ugly sweater theme! 

5. Plan Ahead

It’s important to plan the day and time you’ll take your photos around your family’s schedule and routines. If you or other adults that will be in your photo work full time or you have older children that are in school most of the day, it’ll probably be easier to take your photos on a weekend. If you have infants or toddlers you’ll want to plan around nap time and meal times. The last thing you want to do is put effort into preparing for the photos to end up with a sleepy or hungry kid who refuses to participate. Trust me, I’ve been there…see above. 

Once you have taken your photos and selected your favorites, you are practically done. The last step is to zoom and crop for the perfect frame. If you need to use an app to lighten, do so. Then, you are done! Easy, beautiful family photos from the comfort of your home.

Overall, it should be a fun family experience and possibly a new tradition. Try not to put too much pressure on yourself or your family to make it perfect. Get creative and have fun! It’s all about creating beautiful memories with the people you love!

After you’ve nailed DIY family photos, try out some holiday baking with your little ones!

 

Marissa Johnson
Hi, I'm Marissa! I'm a working mom of one to the most amazing three year old girl. My career as a mental health therapist and social worker contributes to my mindful approach to parenting. We practice deep breathing and talk about our feelings A LOT in my household :).

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