It's that time of year! Holiday family photos are upon us. Even if this year's family gatherings are different from past years, many of us will want to capture memories through family photos. We're here to offer some creative suggestions and tips for this year's pictures.

We've put together a list of ideas for you. However you compose your pictures this year, the most essential piece of advice is to have fun shooting your photos! Today's images are tomorrow's memories. 

1. Decorating: An iconic pose is decorating the tree. A parent holding up a child who's placing an ornament high up the tree is a perennial favorite. For these portraits, try to capture a candid image of the person or family's expressions. The face alone can tell the story.

2. Posed or candid? When it comes to family portraits, you have two style choices: posed or candid. Sometimes, it's best to take both. Gather up the family for a posed photoshoot, but shoot along candid moments throughout. Some of the best children's photography comes from candid moments when they are just being themselves.

3. Babies: If there's a new baby in the family, don't forget to take some poignant first-Christmas portraits of them. Add some holiday props to make the image more festive and memorable!

4. Children: Nothing says Christmas or Chanaukuh better than children celebrating. It's a wonderful opportunity to capture beautiful children's portraits you can cherish throughout the rest of the year. Ideas for these portraits:

• Wearing outfits typical of the season, such as formal attire or plaid pajamas in front of the tree

• In bed reading a favorite book

• Sitting in front of the fireplace waiting for Santa

• Lighting the Menorah or holding a Dreidel

• Hanging an ornament

• Opening presents

5. Professional photographers: If you're a professional (or even a semi-pro), this is a great time of the year to offer promotional discounts and Christmas-themed photos. You can offer preselected sets or venues or allows your clients to customize their sessions (probably for an additional fee to compensate for your time). Some photographers opt to do mini-sessions: 20 or 30-minute sessions in the studio with limited options for backgrounds at a discounted rate from longer, personalized sessions.

6. Lighthearted pictures: Finally, keeping things fun and light. 2020 has been a challenging year for most families. Perhaps keeping things light and fun feels right for your family's holiday card this year? We've seen some cute images of folks being goofy.

7. Seasonal landscapes: Head outside to shoot some images incorporating the seasonal terrain, whether it's snow, dramatic-looking, barren trees, or holiday light displays as a backdrop. (Remember to compensate with light, so your subjects aren't left in the dark by any bright lights behind them.) A nearby trail or meadow can make pretty backdrops. Bring some winter props such as blankets for a pop of color!

8. Capture holiday activities: Take advantage of holiday activities to capture some nice candid images. Coordinate some outfits by color and shoot some pictures of the kids working on holiday arts and crafts. Use a timer and tripod to shoot photos of you and your family baking holiday cookies together. Decorating a gingerbread house is another excellent opportunity for delightful images. Don't forget outdoor activities such as skiing, sledding, or snowshoeing - even building and decorating a snowman!

9. Opening presents: The joy on a child's face when they open a gift can be priceless. Get the camera ready, make sure they're wearing their cutest PJs, and be prepared to shoot when they open their presents.

10. Capture cozy: Nothing says the holidays more than hunkering down at home in the evening in front of a fireplace or Christmas tree with a cup of hot cocoa. Capture a cozy feeling for a great holiday portrait.

11. Tree farm: Do you select and cut your own tree? That's a perfect opportunity for not just a memorable tradition but a beautiful portrait. Dress up in wintery and colorful attire, such as red mittens and matching hats. Red will stand out among a background of green pine trees.

12. Christmas props and costumes: 'Tis the season, so you might as well include the holiday fun in your holiday photos!

• Use some fun props like Elf and Santa hats (even beards).

• Get creative and make your own props, such as Santa or reindeer masks or hats.

• Dress up the whole family in costumes as their favorite Christmas characters, even movie characters like Santa's reindeers.

• Get creative and have some fun while taking pictures you'll cherish both for your cards and for your albums.

13. Matching pajamas: We've seen some charming and fun pictures of matching family outfits, like matching flannel pajamas! We suggest doing them in front of your fireplace. Stagger the poses so some are standing and others are squatting in front for some visual interest.

14. Snow: Snowy landscapes offer some terrific opportunities to create powerful images.

• You can create contrast and a pop of color by choosing brightly colored outfits to stand out against the white snow.

• Opt for a modern, monochromatic look by choosing muted colors.

• Shoot some posed, more formal images, or let loose and have some fun playing in the snow while capturing some amusing shots.

• Lastly, keep an eye on the weather forecast and capture some beautiful pictures of your children in the first snowfall of the season.

15. Urban Christmas: If you live near a city with beautiful decorations, don your best coats and head out to take some colorful photography with the cityscapes as your background.

16. Sleigh ride: Cozy up under a wintery blanket for a cute sleigh ride picture! Try different angles or use a wide-angle lens to capture both the sleigh and horse.

17. Religious imagery: Without being disrespectful to personal and solemn moments, some beautiful images capture religious rituals at this time of year. Lighting the Menorah is one example. Lighting a candle in a church or setting up your family's Nativity scene all capture the spirit of this season.

18. In your yard: This is another version of shooting outdoors, but right outside your door. Shoot some daytime and nighttime images taken in your decorated yard. If your home is decorated for the holidays, you can use it as a background.

19. At home: Some of the best images are those that represent our everyday lives. They can be the most personal and most poignant. Pictures of your family relaxing and watching their favorite holiday movie can be Christmas card worthy - with a little advance planning on your part. For the best pictures, make sure there's at least some coordination of outfits. Turn on the movie and let everyone relax, and forget about the camera before you start shooting.

20. Self-Portraits: Of course, you don't need a crowd to have a reason to take a picture. Selfies are just as fun during the holidays as any time of year. They can be as formal or spontaneous as you want, but be sure to make them festive. Wear your favorite holiday sweater, pose in front of your tree, holiday light display, or a snow landscape.

21. Landscapes sans people: You don't have to feature people in your holiday cards. Go for a drive and snaps some photos of a wintery landscape or holiday decorations. Think artsy or classic and compose the image however you like by trying different angles. Once home, use editing software such as Lightroom to add some enhancements or use presets by beart-presets.

22. Bokeh images: Bokeh is a term that refers to a deliberate blur in an image done for creative purposes. The lights are often in the background and soft-focus. You can create this beautiful, iconic holiday look for your holiday pictures. You can create this effect using any lights, including lighted Christmas trees, string lights, and outdoor decorations.

23. Create a collage: Create a collage or capture book by using multiple images for your holiday cards. You should put some planning into it for a more professional look. Use complementary colors in the photos and styles to create a cohesive look. For example, you might want to use all black and white images, shoot all the images you use in the same places, such as outdoors, or have them all be formal portraits.

24. Tree lights as a light source: Tree lights can be the perfect light source.

• Place your subject/subjects close to the lights.

• You can make some enhancements, such as soft focus, later using editing software such as Lightroom.

• The darker the area behind the model, the brighter the tree lights will be.

• For a true silhouette, place the model between the camera and the tree lights to darken them and create a silhouette effect. Avoid other surrounding lights, particularly behind the subject or just to the opposite of the tree lights. The tree lights should serve as the sole light source. Zoom into your subject.

25. Christmas pet portraits: Pet portraits are increasingly popular. With careful planning, you can photograph the family pet - or clients' pets - for some fun holiday pictures. Have some props and treats handy, set the lights up beforehand, and be quick to shoot. Photographing pets is like working with young children. Planning ahead is critical!

26. Food photos: What are the holidays without food? If you have a dish you serve every year or love building gingerbread houses, why not take pictures of them as part of your holiday images? Does your family cook together, or you want pictures of your family's leading chef? These are good opportunities for memorable photos! You'll look back fondly one-day thanks to these pictures. You can take both candids and posed images.

27. Capture the details: Sometimes, the details alone tell the story or create the most poignant images. For example, you don't need to shoot the entire tree to capture the holidays' spirit. Children's hands unwrapping a present can be beautiful. A grandmother's aged hands rolling out the annual holiday cookies, a recipe passed down through the generations, tell a story. Christmas stockings hanging by the fireplace with names on each stocking create a great picture.

Conclusion

There are so many beautiful, fun, or poignant images you can shoot to represent your family this holiday season. With a little advance planning or well-timed candid photos, you can create a phenomenal holiday card to share with family and friends. Capture your holiday traditions today to create tangible memories. We suggest creating an album of your annual holiday cards. Decades from now, you'll be able to take a trip down memory lane when you browse through the album!