Stop paying four hundred dollars for a twenty-minute session in a drafty studio. Seriously. Most of us spend half the "professional" photo shoot sweating through our sweaters while trying to bribe a toddler with fruit snacks, only to get three decent shots where nobody is blinking. It's exhausting.
The truth is, do it yourself christmas photos are not just a way to save money; they are often the only way to capture a family’s actual personality without that weird, stiff "department store" vibe. You don't need a $2,000 Canon DSLR to make this happen. Your iPhone or Pixel, some decent window light, and a bit of spatial awareness will get you 90% of the way there.
The Lighting Secret Nobody Tells You
Forget the flash. Just don't touch it. Onboard camera flashes create those harsh, oily forehead reflections and terrifying "red eye" looks that scream 1998. Instead, find your "North Light." Professional painters like Rembrandt used north-facing windows because the light is consistent, soft, and blue-toned.
If you're shooting indoors, pull your couch or your "set" right up to the biggest window in the house. You want the light hitting your faces at a 45-degree angle. This creates what photographers call "modeling"—subtle shadows that define cheekbones and jawlines. If the light is too "stabby" or bright, hang a thin, white bedsheet over the window. It acts as a giant softbox. Basically, you're turning your living room into a high-end studio for the price of a laundry day.
Getting Creative with Do It Yourself Christmas Photos Without Looking Cheesy
Most DIY attempts fail because they try to do too much. You've seen the photos: tinsel everywhere, three different plaid patterns, a giant inflatable reindeer in the background, and everyone wearing matching "Santa's Helper" hats. It’s visual chaos.
Simplicity is your best friend.
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Try a "lifestyle" approach instead of a posed one. Rather than lining everyone up shortest-to-tallest against a white wall, have the family bake cookies or pile onto a bed with a neutral-colored duvet. The goal is to capture a moment, not a lineup. Use a "depth of field" trick—if you're using a smartphone, flip it to Portrait Mode. This uses computational photography to blur the background (bokeh), which instantly makes a cluttered living room look like a professional set. It hides the pile of mail on the side table and the dog hair on the rug.
The Gear You Actually Need (and the stuff you don't)
You don't need a tripod, but you do need a "steady." If you don't want to buy a cheap $20 tripod from Amazon, prop your phone up on a stack of books or use a coffee mug as a stand.
- The Remote Shutter: This is the real game-changer. Most Bluetooth camera remotes cost about $8. They allow you to hide the clicker in your hand so you aren't sprinting across the room after hitting the 10-second timer.
- The Lens Cloth: Clean your lens. I’m serious. Most "blurry" or "hazy" DIY photos are just the result of a thumbprint on the camera glass. Wipe it with a microfiber cloth before you start.
- A Reflector: You can use a large piece of white foam board or even a car sunshade (the silver kind) to bounce light back into the shadowed side of your faces. It fills in those "raccoon eyes" and makes the skin look creamy.
Color Palettes That Don't Hurt the Eyes
Avoid the "Identical Twin" look. Matching red-and-green sweaters is a bit dated. Instead, go for a "coordinated" palette. Think about textures—chunky wool knits, velvet, or linen.
Pick a base neutral like cream or tan. Then, add one or two accent colors. Navy and gold look sophisticated. Deep forest green and mustard yellow feel "moody" and modern. If you're doing do it yourself christmas photos outdoors, remember that the "Golden Hour"—that hour right before sunset—will turn everything orange. Avoid wearing bright orange or neon pink during this time, or you'll look like a traffic cone.
The Technical Side: Focus and Exposure
Here is where most people mess up. Your phone tries to be smart, but it's often a bit dim. When you're framing your shot, tap the screen on someone's face. On an iPhone, you'll see a yellow box and a little sun icon. Slide that sun up slightly to "overexpose" the image just a tiny bit. This brightens the skin tones and makes the festive lights in the background pop.
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If you are using a real camera, keep your aperture (f-stop) low. If you have a 50mm lens, set it to $f/1.8$ or $f/2.2$. This gives you that creamy, blurred background that separates your family from the Christmas tree. But be careful—if your aperture is too wide (like $f/1.4$), and your kids are sitting at different depths, one kid will be sharp and the other will be a blurry mess. Keep everyone on the same "plane" of focus.
Dealing with "The Grump" (Kids and Spouses)
Let's be honest. Someone is going to be annoyed. Usually, it's the toddler or the husband.
The best way to handle this is to make it a game. Don't tell them to "say cheese." That word makes everyone’s mouth look weird and forced. Instead, tell them to say something ridiculous, like "stinky socks" or "booger breath." The laugh that follows is the photo you actually want.
Shoot in bursts. If you're using a phone, hold down the shutter button. Taking 50 photos in 10 seconds increases your odds of getting that one "miracle shot" where everyone’s eyes are open and nobody is picking their nose.
Editing: The "Secret Sauce"
Once you’ve finished your do it yourself christmas photos session, don't just post them raw.
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A little bit of post-processing goes a long way. Use an app like Lightroom Mobile (the free version is great) or Snapseed.
- Warmth: Increase the "Temperature" slightly to give it that cozy, fireplace glow.
- Contrast: Don't go overboard, but a little contrast helps the colors stand out.
- Grain: Adding a tiny bit of "noise" or grain can actually make a digital photo look like it was shot on film, which feels more nostalgic and "Christmas-y."
Avoid the "Beauty" filters that smooth skin until people look like plastic dolls. Real skin has texture. Real families have pores. Embrace it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't put the Christmas tree directly behind your head. It looks like you have branches growing out of your ears. Position the tree to the side.
Also, watch out for the "floating head" syndrome. This happens when everyone wears dark colors against a dark background. If your walls are navy blue, don't wear black. You want separation.
Lastly, check your "edges." Before you click the shutter, look at the very edges of the frame. Is there a stray sock on the floor? Is there a power cord snaking across the rug? Move it. It takes two seconds now, but it’ll take twenty minutes to Photoshop out later.
Turning Photos into Art
Once you have your shots, don't just let them live on your hard drive. Get them printed on high-quality "felt" or "linen" cardstock. The texture of the paper makes a DIY photo look significantly more expensive. Many online services like Artifact Uprising or Mpix offer professional-grade printing that is miles ahead of what you'll get at a local drugstore kiosk.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Audit your light: Walk around your house at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM to see which room gets the best indirect natural light.
- Clear the clutter: Pick one corner of one room and strip it down. Less is more.
- Test your remote: Pair your Bluetooth shutter or learn how to use the "palm gesture" shutter feature on your phone before the kids lose their patience.
- Dress for comfort: If the kids feel itchy in their clothes, they will look miserable in the photos. Stick to soft fabrics.