How to Prepare for Family Holiday Photos | Expert Tips from a Glendale Family Photographer
How to Prepare for Your Family Holiday Photo Session
Family portraits become treasured memories long after the holiday decorations are packed away. A little preparation before your session can make the experience more enjoyable and help create natural, joyful photographs that truly reflect your family.
Whether you're booking Holiday Mini Sessions in Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, or the Los Angeles area, these simple tips will help everyone arrive relaxed and ready to have fun.
Get Everyone Excited Before Photo Day
The best family portraits happen when everyone feels like they're part of the experience—not when they've been told they "have to take pictures."
A week or two before your session, start talking about it in a positive way. Explain that you'll be spending time together creating holiday memories, not just smiling for a camera.
Older children and teenagers are much more likely to participate if they understand why the photos matter to your family.
Create a Family Vision Board Together
One fun way to get everyone involved is by creating a small inspiration board.
Browse Pinterest or Instagram together and save images that everyone likes. Pay attention to clothing colors, posing styles, and the overall feeling of the photographs.
Ask yourselves:
Do we want cozy and relaxed?
Bright and elegant?
Traditional Christmas?
Playful and fun?
When everyone helps choose the style, they usually feel much more invested in the session.
Decide on Formal or Casual
Before anyone shops for clothes, decide on the overall look.
Are you imagining:
Cozy sweaters and jeans?
Dresses and sport coats?
Matching Christmas pajamas?
Elegant holiday attire?
Having one clear vision makes choosing outfits much easier.
Coordinate Colors Instead of Matching
One of the biggest mistakes families make is wearing identical outfits.
Instead, choose a color palette and let everyone wear clothing within that same family of colors.
Beautiful holiday combinations include:
Cream, beige, camel and ivory
Burgundy, forest green and navy
Soft gray with winter white
Deep reds with neutral earth tones
Coordinating colors create a polished look while allowing everyone's personality to shine.
Give Kids (and Teenagers) Something to Look Forward To
Let's be honest—sometimes a little motivation goes a long way.
Whether it's hot chocolate afterward, choosing the family's favorite restaurant, extra screen time, or another special reward, giving children and teens something to anticipate can help everyone arrive in a better mood.
Parents know what motivates their own children best. I have found that letting kids and teens select one outfit that they can wear helps. Your sessions and Panos Productions Photography in Glendale include outfit changes. I do this exactly for this reason. This way, kids feel like that have some buy in to the session.
Bring Something That Represents Your Family
The most memorable portraits often include a small personal touch.
Consider bringing something meaningful, such as:
A favorite skateboard
A guitar
Ballet shoes
A beloved stuffed animal
A favorite holiday book
A baseball glove
A family heirloom
Small props can tell your family's story without overwhelming the portrait.
Think About What Makes Your Family Laugh
Perfect smiles are wonderful.
Real laughter is even better.
Before your session, think about the silly jokes, songs, games, or inside stories that always make your family laugh.
Some families tell knock-knock jokes.
Others have funny nicknames or goofy dance moves.
Those authentic moments often become the favorite photographs in your gallery.
Expect Toddlers to Be Toddlers
If you have a toddler, set realistic expectations.
Toddlers may want to explore.
They may not look at the camera.
They might decide they'd rather inspect the decorations than sit on Mom's lap.
That's perfectly normal.
As someone who has spent years photographing babies and young children—and as a former special education teacher—I know that children do best when they're allowed to warm up naturally rather than being pressured to perform.
Some of the sweetest portraits happen between the "perfect poses."
Don't Forget Your Four-Legged Family Members
If your dog is joining the session, a little preparation makes a big difference.
Before arriving:
Brush their coat.
Wipe their eyes if needed.
Trim nails if they're due.
Bring treats.
Pack a favorite toy or squeaker.
Bring water.
Don't forget a leash.
Many dogs become wonderful participants once they have a few minutes to explore their surroundings.
Relax and Enjoy the Experience
Your children don't need to behave perfectly.
Your toddler doesn't need to smile in every photograph.
Your dog doesn't have to sit perfectly still.
The goal isn't perfection.
It's preserving this season of your family's life exactly as it is today.
Years from now, you'll remember the laughter, the personalities, and the little moments that made your family unique—not whether every strand of hair stayed in place.
Ready for Beautiful Holiday Family Photos?
Our Holiday Family Mini Sessions are designed to be relaxed, fun, and stress-free. With four beautifully designed indoor holiday sets, weekend appointments throughout October and November, and plenty of time to create your holiday cards, you'll leave with portraits your family will treasure for years to come.
If you're looking for Holiday Mini Sessions near Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, Montrose, or throughout Los Angeles, we'd love to help you create your family's next holiday tradition.
