Christmas Photo Ideas to Capture the Holiday Season
I’m always looking to capture the special moments of the Christmas and December holiday season. I’ve always wanted to create a list of photo ideas and keep it on my phone to refer back to when I’m trying to capture something special in the middle of an extra busy season. I finally took some time to put one together. I hope you will find it inspiring and helpful!
Read the list below, and save the image above to your photo files for reference. You can also save a link to this post or save the image to Pinterest.
Christmas Photo Ideas to Capture the Magic
Decorating the Tree
Snap photos of the entire process—from unpacking the storage bins to hanging the final ornament. Don’t forget those close-ups of your favorite decorations!Cozy December Mornings
Capture the magic of a quiet morning with a steaming cup of cocoa, fuzzy socks, and twinkling lights in the background. Soft morning light can make for a beautiful backdrop to your Christmas tree.Holiday Baking Fun
Photograph the messy, flour-dusted counters, rolling pins in action, and finished goodies. Be sure to include pictures of the chef(s)!Christmas Lights Adventure
Take a walk or drive to see the festive lights. Snap photos of your favorite houses, your reflection in ornaments, or the joy on your kids' faces as they see the lights.Wrapping Presents
Get creative shots of ribbons, paper, and scissors in action. Include perfectly wrapped gifts or the not-so-perfect ones for a fun memory. It’s especially meaningful to take photos of presents wrapped by children or handwritten tags from a loved one.Favorite Holiday Outfit
Whether it’s matching pajamas, an ugly sweater, or your fanciest holiday outfit, take a moment to capture everyone dressed for the season.Christmas Countdown
Photograph advent calendars, countdown blocks, or a chalkboard showing the number of days until Christmas. These are great shots for your December Daily pages!Snow Day Magic
If you’re lucky enough to have snow, capture snowball fights, build a snowman, or simply leave footprints in the fresh powder. If there’s no snow, get creative with indoor “snowball” fights using rolled-up socks. We once had our own marshmallow fight, and it was so much fun!Letters to Santa
Snap a picture of children (or adults) writing letters or the finished product before sending it off to the North Pole. It’s also nice to make a scan or take a picture of the wishlist for your own memory albums. It will be a treasured keepsake.Festive Family Portrait
Don’t worry about perfection, because it’s almost impossible in a group photo! Just focus on real smiles and candid moments to make the best memories. Don’t forget to include the pets!Holiday Dinner Table
Take photos of the beautifully set table, the food, and the people gathered around it. You don’t need to save this for “fancy” meals; it’s worth photographing a simple holiday breakfast or snack as well.Opening presents
Have your camera ready to catch the looks of excitement (or surprise) when the wrapping paper flies! It’s also interesting to snap pictures of the actual presents. You will be glad for those details later on.Quiet Post-Holiday Moments
When the chaos winds down, capture moments of loved ones relaxing—whether it’s watching Christmas movies, playing with new toys, or taking a well-deserved nap..Ornament Details
Focus on a few special ornaments that hold meaning—heirlooms, handmade treasures, or ones that tell a story. Be sure to capture ornaments that were made by children or other friends or family members.Christmas Market or Festive Shopping
If you visit a holiday market, snap photos of shops, stalls, warm treats, and all the festive details.Holiday Crafts and DIY Projects
Document the process of making handmade cards, wreaths, or any holiday crafts you’ve worked on.Christmas Eve Traditions
Capture moments like setting out cookies for Santa, reading holiday stories, festive pajamas, or opening that one special gift on Christmas Eve.Gatherings and Gift Exchanges
Get shots of the laughter, hugs, and joy during gift exchanges with family and friends. Try to get at least one photo of everyone in attendance and some group shots.The Night Before Christmas
Take a photo of the stockings hung, the tree lit up, and the quiet magic of the house before Christmas morning. Play around with different camera and photo settings to capture pictures of a lit tree in a dark room.All the Little Details
Don’t forget the close-ups of favorite holiday decorations, twinkling lights, and tiny festive touches around your home. These little moments bring big memories!
The holiday season is full of magical moments just waiting to be captured. Don’t stress about getting every photo on this list, but save it to your phone for inspiration. Remember to focus on the joy and let the memories shine!
Now it’s time to get wrapping. Christmas is a week from today!
