Here's What Photographers Think of Your Christmas Card Photos

It's the season filled with holiday lights, gift giving and Christmas traditions with loved ones — and there's no better way to celebrate but to capture the beauty of it all. A great holiday family photograph is something you'll cherish forever, plus there's the fond memories that come along with having a photoshoot. To find the best Christmas card photo ideas, we spoke with professional photographers who shared their best advice for making the most of your family photoshoot.

Keep scrolling to learn how to settle on colors and themes for your shoot, genius techniques for keeping children (even toddlers!) engaged and the best poses to beautifully capture every family member. There's also tips for selecting an ideal location, choosing the right Christmas outfits and what props work best for different ages. This might be the most important photo you take all year, so take it seriously but not too seriously — these photographers remind us that having fun is an important part of any photo.

Find a creative idea that fits your family, whether you're photographing a large family, posing with only one child or celebrating your first year as a married couple. Once you've taken the perfect portrait, all you have to do is settle on a message for inside your Christmas card, get your cards printed or DIY your Christmas card and mail your creations out to friends and family.