4 Photo Trends I’m Loving for Christmas Cards in 2025 Leave a comment
I love sending out holiday cards, but this year I’m especially excited because of the exclusive holiday card and ornament collection we designed with Shutterfly. I’m still trying to decide which one I’m going to choose to send out (or maybe I get a few different ones?) But I’m also deciding which family photo I’m going to use. (We did design some cards that are message focused, but you can still add a photo to the back if you want!)
Which brings me to photo trends! Sometimes people get caught up thinking there’s only one way to take a family photo and it’s outdoors in a field in matching outfits. And I’m here to tell you there are a lot of other great options to send out with your Christmas card—some you may already have in your camera roll!
Here are four photo trends for holiday cards that evoke a variety of different feelings, depending on what best suits your situation or family this year.
The Grand Family Portrait
Last year we went really traditional with our family Christmas photo. We got dressed in our best holiday attire, in a traditional color scheme, focusing on reds, black, white and splashes of green. We shot the photo in our living room and had my sister Andi take a posed, classic-style portrait, which I honestly love. (Our dog, Cricket did appear in the final card laying right at Faye’s feet, but she’s cropped out below). This can work well with a tripod and timer as well! I LOVE a family photo with your house as the backdrop. It feels personal. I always say to take pictures in your house, because that’s how your kids will remember parts of their childhood! And before you think that maybe your house doesn’t feel grand enough to pose in. Our first family Christmas photo was taken in our basement apartment and another was taken in the house that followed. I like to do it every couple years to remember where we were at that moment in time.
If you have your tree up early and can make that your Christmas backdrop, that’s an easy backdrop. We’ve even done them super casual, just on our steps without all the decorations, and they were still great. Flash photography is really trending again right now, and it can look beautiful and elevated.
The casual selfie
A selfie is such a relaxed way to capture a moment your whole family was together! So don’t be afraid to lean into this more casual and relaxed vibe! A couple tips if you want to go this fun route: If you are capturing a family selfie with the screen facing you, there should be two arrows at the bottom of your screen touching each other. If you hit that button, it will zoom out just a little so you can squeeze more of you in!
The other way is to put your lens on .5, turn your phone around, click the button (my volume down button takes a photo when the camera is open) and hope for the best. It will be better quality because it’s using your actual photo lens, but it’s definitely tricky to make sure you’re all in the shot. Try both out! The pure joy and laughter that will hopefully ensue is the exact vibe you’re going for anyway! Hint: Turn your photo black & white, and it’s instantly more timeless!)
The Candid Lifestyle
I’m really loving the type of family photos that capture living in a moment of time instead of posing for the camera. We all know how difficult it is to get all the kids looking and smiling perfectly at the same time. What if you didn’t have to?! These more editorial shots where not everyone is smiling or looking at the camera have so much beauty! Maybe you’re just doing an activity that you genuinely love, like cooking together or decorating the tree or on your favorite walk or doing a puzzle or playing outside! It takes a ton of pressure off, and the results are often so much more authentic.
It’s that in-the-moment feeling, and I think it’s so relatable. Whether you’re taking photographs inside or outside, or even at some cool different location, the goal is to tell a story instead of just everyone standing there grinning at the camera.
The Highlight Of Your Year
Now, the fourth option is not a new idea by any means, but I think it’s often overlooked; pulling a favorite snapshot memory from the year couldn’t be more card-worthy!
I’m thinking about our big family trip to Italy and how wonderful those memories were. It was such a highlight of our year, so choosing a special memory from that vacation is definitely on my short list of card photos for this year. On Shutterfly’s site, you’re able to make a photo black and white or sepia after you upload it, and I love how it allows all elements of the card and photo to shine. (Not to mention, black and white photography is ALSO having a big moment right now.)
Which family photo style is your pick? Even if I’ve got my photo idea in mind, they all look so good in our new CLJ x Shutterfly card collection that it’s hard to choose my favorite!
Pssst. I have a friends & family code JULIA40 for 40% off your order and free shipping on orders $40+.
