How to take great Christmas photos this year

Tis the season to snap a-ma-zing photos of your family and friends! With so many festive moments to capture, you’ll want your Christmas pics to truly shine—especially if you’re planning to turn those memories into beautiful gifts later on, like photo books, wall art, calendars, or personalised mugs for everyone.

Whether you’re using a smartphone, a DSLR, or whatever camera you have on hand, we’ve got some favorite tips and tricks to help you take your Christmas photography to the next level.

Find the perfect backdrop for your christmas card shot

If you’re wondering how to take Christmas photos, your Christmas tree is always the perfect backdrop for any photo. Whether your tree has perfectly matching ornaments in a set colour scheme or it looks like Christmas exploded all over your living room, setting it in the background of your photos automatically gives them a festive feel. If you only have a tiny tree, you could play with perspective by bringing it closer to the camera. You could also consider shooting in front of your fireplace or outdoors in a winter wonderland. Just make sure the photo captures your family’s true vibe—whether you’re striking a posed elegance or embracing that spontaneous silliness.

Christmas photo tip: It’s the most wonderful time of the year… to dress up in ridiculous matching pyjamas and take a family Christmas photo. The only thing that would make this wholesome photo shoot even better? A matching pyjama set for your pets too. And if you’re not in the mood for a full outfit overhaul, you can never go wrong with a Santa hat or reindeer antlers. Those group photos will be perfect for your Christmas cards.

Play with light to take a great portrait pic

When it comes to capturing stunning portraits, natural light is your best friend, and the winter sun can work wonders. Just be sure to avoid shooting directly into the sun—no one wants to be squinting in their Christmas pics.

Light is key, but don’t forget to use a shallow depth of field to create beautiful bokeh. This technique blurs the background, making your subject pop. Fairy lights and colourful Christmas tree lights are perfect for adding dimension to your photos, especially when bokeh is at play. If you haven’t heard of bokeh before, it’s a Japanese term that describes the soft, out-of-focus circles of colour and light you see in the background of photos.

Top tip for natural light: If you’re indoors, ensure there’s some natural light in the room. If it’s nighttime, use an adjustable light to achieve the right effect. A flexible lamp is a fantastic way to illuminate your photos after dark. Don’t forget to adjust your exposure to let more light in if natural light is lacking.

Master the art of group photography

The Christmas family photo is a great tradition to continue year after year. Our best tip for taking good group shots is simple: make sure that everyone’s in the shot. Check that your wonderful Christmas decorations are not obscuring anyone’s face, and position taller members at the rear while kids and furry friends take centre stage up front.

Start with a few playful shots to get everyone warmed up. Go for some silly faces, and then capture the genuine laughter that follows. By easing into the photo session, you’ll find those posed shots come out looking more relaxed and natural since everyone will already be comfortable and having fun.

Top tip for your family Christmas pic: A tripod is your best friend for stable shots, and using the self-timer function gives you just enough time to hop in with your people.

Focus on the magic moments

Add a sprinkle of Christmas spirit by capturing photos around the tree, amongst the decorations, or even gathered at the dinner table in your festive sweaters. To keep everyone in focus—even with multiple rows of smiling faces—increase your depth of field to the mid-range (around f4 to f5.6).

Top photography tip: When using a wide-angle lens or the wide setting on your phone, avoid having people right on the edge of the frame. Because of the wide-angle lens optic, things on the edge of the shot can warp slightly.

Turn the spotlight on food, glorious food

The Christmas season is packed with delicious food and drink – from festive feasts to a buffet table filled with homemade deliciousness. Whether it’s Christmas day or a festive party in the run-up, take a few moments before everyone piles in to take a snap of all the different dishes before the family tuck in.

As with our other photo tips, try to arrange the lighting so it’s not too harsh, and there aren’t too many shadows. Try and work out what sort of angle will make the food look best – should it be shot from above or from a lower angle?

Top festive food photography tip: Make sure your food photos have a hero in them to focus the eye – if it’s too busy, then it might feel cluttered. Place complementary objects in the foreground and background as well to help tell the story of the photo.

Make the most of social media features

In today’s digital age, social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook offer a wide range of free photo editing features, from filters that add warmth and vibrancy to your snaps to collages that stitch together your Christmas highlights.

Top Christmas photography tip: Always remember to save and back up these edited photos. They might be perfect for turning into memorable photo creations.

As the final page on the calendar turns and the year winds down, remember that the essence of the festive season is to cherish and celebrate moments big and small. Each photo you take this Christmas isn’t just a snapshot; it’s a precious memory you can revisit for years to come.

As you dive into the Christmas spirit and snap away, why not turn those fun memories into lasting treasures? Check out our fantastic range of photo products. Cheers to capturing all the joy, love, and laughter this season brings… Here’s to a Christmas full of picture-perfect moments.