5 Tips for Capturing Magical Holiday Photos Without Posing Your Family
The holiday season is here, bringing twinkling lights, heartfelt moments, and countless opportunities to capture memories. But if the thought of stiff poses and forced smiles makes you cringe, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered!
As a photographer who embraces authenticity, I believe the best photos aren’t staged—they’re felt. This season, let’s focus on capturing the true essence of the holidays: joy, connection, and a little bit of sparkle.
Here are five tips to help you take great holiday photos that feel as warm and authentic as the memories you’re creating.
1. Enjoy Winter’s Soft Light
Winter’s soft light is a gift for photographers, especially during the holidays. Unlike the harsh, direct light of summer, winter’s light has a gentler quality, perfect for capturing warm and flattering images. Snow and overcast skies often act as natural diffusers, softening shadows and reducing contrast.
For even more magical results, try taking backlit photos. These are the photos typically captured during the golden hour—just after sunrise or before sunset. The good news is you possibly can do it well into the daytime in the winter due to the soft sunlight. Position your subjects with the light behind them to create a dreamy glow or halo effect.
See the following photo I captured with the diffused sunlight through the trees and the window. And it was hours after sunrise. There is much lower chance to do that beyond the golden hour window in other seasons when the light is much stronger.
This works beautifully both indoors by the window or for outdoor walk.
💡 Pro Tip: Minimize the sky in the composition to reduce the contrast between the sky and the subject. This could avoid the subject appearing too dark in the backlit photo. Encourage your people subject to keep moving naturally while you capture the light and the moment together. Ensure a fast enough shutter speed to avoid subject being blurry.
2. Embrace Bokeh of Holiday Lights
Holiday lights are more than decorations—they’re a chance to create magical backgrounds. Place your loved ones near the Christmas tree or holiday lights and use a wide aperture (f/2.8 or lower) to blur the lights into dreamy bokeh.
📸 Pro Tip: Keep a good distance between the subject and the lights behind, instead of standing right next to the lights. The more the distance, the more the bokeh. See the following two photos for comparison. These Christmas photos were taken in Hawaii a few years ago.
Of course, bokeh doesn’t have to be limited to holiday lights. Use any light in the background while you dial to the wide aperture, you’ll delight yourself with bokeh. Did you see the bokeh in the following images?
3. Capture the Magic of Snowy Scenes
Snowy landscapes provide a pristine, enchanting canvas for your holiday photos, but they also come with unique challenges. To truly capture the magic of snow, it’s essential to understand how light interacts with the scene and adjust your approach accordingly.
If you photograph on an overcast day, focus on the activities (eg. playful snowball fights or sledding), or pick subjects or elements with color in your frame, as photos from overcast might have a dull color.
But if you photograph on a sunny day, you could be dealing with strong light. What? Didn’t I just say “enjoy the soft light in the winter”?
Well, we are talking about snow here. Snow reflects a significant amount of light and can even blind your subjects. The the easiest strategy is to pick a different hour.
❄️ Pro Tip: Shoot during golden hour for a warm glow. It’s the most magical hour to photograph people.
4. Let the Moment Lead the Photo
The best holiday photos are the ones that feel alive. Instead of directing every moment, focus on observing. Watch how your kids’ faces light up when opening a gift or how family members connect over a shared laugh. Frame these moments thoughtfully, but let them unfold naturally.
💛 Unposing Challenge: Instead of telling your family to “look at the camera,” capture them interacting with each other or the holiday setting.
For even more inspiration and guidance on capturing real, heartfelt photos, download my free guide: The Art of Unposed. Inside, you’ll find actionable tips to elevate your photography and create meaningful images that make your heart smile.
5. Capture Low-Light Moments Indoors
The holidays are full of cozy moments: reading stories by the fireplace, baking cookies, or sharing a meal under candlelight.
When you don’t have snow scenes outside, try something fun indoors.
Low light can seem tricky, but it’s perfect for creating warm, intimate and fun photos.
📸 Pro Tip: Try something different in the holiday. Finding light source is the priority. Perhaps have the subject hold a creative string light you use to decorate the house during the holidays. Move the face closer, or photograph through the light. Experiment and have fun!
Bonus Tip - Photograph Fireworks
I’ve written a blog on how to photograph fireworks 10 years ago. Check it out here.
Create Holiday Photos That Truly Matter
Holiday photos should feel as magical as the moments they preserve. By focusing on authentic interactions, creative techniques, and unposed moments, you’ll create images that tell the true story of your family’s holiday season.
Check out more tips from my free pdf guide The Art of Unposed.
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Elevate your holiday photos with these 5 creative tips! From capturing stunning bokeh to embracing soft light and snowy scenes, discover how to create authentic, unposed moments your family will cherish. Download our free guide, The Art of Unposed Photography, for even more inspiration this season!