21 Family Photo Ideas to Try This Year

The holiday season will be here before we know it, and it’s pretty much a given we’ll be frantically trying to pull together family holiday photo ideas in time to get those cards in the mail. Good news—we’ve gathered the most creative family Christmas picture ideas out there, and all of them can be recreated with ease! Scroll down to be inspired.

photo: Jessica Rockowitz via Unsplash

Outdoor Vibes

Outdoor photos can be almost anything you want them to be, depending on your location and props. We love the simple idea of capturing a sweet candid moment.

photo: Addison Rae

Add Holiday Pajamas

If there's anything cuter than matching holiday family pajamas, we haven't found it. And don't worry, all sorts of pajamas are available far enough in advance that you don't have to wait until the last minute.

photo: Febrian Zakaria via Unsplash

Include Snacks

Unless you have really tiny kids who can't help but get messy, it could be fun to add your crew's favorite snacks to a family holiday photo.

photo: Gift Habeshaw via Unsplash

Use a Mirror

Using a mirror to "take a picture" is a fun take on a traditional pose. Plus, you might be able to pull this one off without a photography session!

photo: Brittney Fort

Keep It Real

Sometimes the kids just don't want to cooperate. Instead of stressing out and worrying about getting the picture family photo, just go with the flow. It usually ends up being more authentic and will give all your friends a good laugh.

photo: Olivia Bauso via Unsplash

Feature Your Happy Place

Is it the beach, the mountains, the family farm? Whatever your happy place, featuring it in your family Christmas photo never gets old.

photo: Ayren Jackson-Cannady

Pose Like Your Kid's Drawing

The best source of inspiration is sometimes right in your own home. Have the entire family recreate a favorite drawing or sketch. Not only will you get chuckles from friends and family, but it’s a great chance to show off your budding Picasso’s artistic skills.

photo: Jennifer Massoni Pardini

Make the Most of Fall

If we’re on top of our game, we’re usually taking our holiday photos when it’s peak fall rather than winter. If you don’t want to hold out for that first snow or you live somewhere milder, throw those autumn leaves into the air and capture some seasonal (and childhood) magic.

photo: Photos by Lei

Reflect as a Family

Capture the magic of the holidays with this one-of-a-kind picture by photographer Leilani Rogers. You might need an extra set of hands and a little bit of time to get it just right, but the results are well worth the commitment.

photo: Jacqui Boland

Chalkboard Background

If you’ve got access to a chalkboard, go wild with clever designs like this mom and her family did.

photo: Marta Wave via Pexels

Elf Yourself

In the same vein, let your little one dress up as Santa’s favorite helper, and incorporate a funny saying in the background to top it off.

photo: Amanda McGuire via Work in Progress

Classic Christmas

For big laughs, send out photos suited up as Ralphie and the rest of the Parker family. Mom Amanda scoured deal sites like eBay and Amazon to find everything she needed to re-create the classic scene. Want to know how she did it? Hop on over to Work in Progress to find out.

photo: Combined Average

Frame Yourself

Grab an empty frame and try out different poses. Have the little ones stand in front of the frame, or squish the whole group behind the frame.

photo: Merri Cherry

Use Props

Using props still gives holiday photos “that certain something." Raid the dress-up bin for silly hats, boas and superhero masks, or find printables to make your own. Remember, when it comes to dressing up your photos, bigger and brighter is always better!

photo: The BMC Report

Spell It Out

Decide on a word that describes your family or the holidays, then have each person hold a letter of the word. It’ll add an interesting element to the photo without distracting from your pretty faces!

photo: Modern Parents Messy Kids

Create a Scene with Sidewalk Chalk

Here’s another fun take on the chalk idea: use the sidewalk or another flat surface as your canvas, then let the kids interact with it in the photo.

photo: Joseph Gonzalez via Unsplash

Hit Up the Tree Farm

The local tree farm provides an idyllic (and nearly effortless) backdrop for just about any photo staging. Bring along a toy car (or wagon) and pair with a wee tree for instant sweetness.

photo: Hideaki Hamada

Put on a Good Face

Artistic and retro, the “vinyl face” is a photo trend that works especially for camera-shy tykes. Play around with magazines, books or movie posters for a variety of expressions. Follow Japanese photographer Hideaki Hamada on Instagram for enchanting photos of his lil’ sons and life around Osaka, Japan.

photo: Paging Supermom

Superhero Style

From Wonder Woman and Spider-Man: Homecoming to LEGO Batman and LEGO Ninjago, superheroes never get old. Bring on 2022 with power!

photo: Chang Duoung via Unsplash

Simple Silhouette

Simple silhouettes give family photos a classic touch. Oh, and this idea is super handy when someone isn’t be looking their best or if the kids have (already) started making mud pies in their holiday outfits.

photo: Ryan O'Dowd Photography

Say It with a Sign

Update your friends and loved ones with a chalkboard message that says it all, like this adorable shot we scooped out over at Ryan O'Dowd Photography. Whether it's you or your kids holding the news, adding this small detail makes a standard family pose extra-special.

—Susie Foreman with Jennifer Masson Pardini & Gabby Cullen

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