Every fall the same question lands in our texts: "We want a holiday card photo, but what should it actually look like?" Families scroll Pinterest, see a snowy Vermont barn, and then look out the window at a grey drizzle over Lake Stevens. Good news: the drizzle is an asset. The ten setups below are the ones we come back to every season in Snohomish County, with where to do each one, what to wear, and how it will sit on a printed 5x7 card once the greeting goes on. If you are still deciding when to shoot, our post on when to book holiday card photos covers the calendar. This one is all about the picture.
First, How a Photo Sits on a 5x7 Card
Most cameras shoot in a 2:3 shape, the same as a 4x6 print. A 5x7 card is a little squarer, so the card printer trims a strip off the long side of every photo. If heads or feet sit right at the edge of the frame, they get cut. That is why we shoot card frames a touch looser than a wall portrait.
The second thing is text. Nearly every card template puts a greeting and your family name over part of the photo, usually across the top, along the bottom, or down one side. Place the family in the lower two-thirds and keep the top third quiet (sky, fog, soft trees, a plain wall) and the text sits on clean background instead of across someone's face. Tell us at the start of the session that you are making a card, and we will shoot a few frames with that empty space built in, in both vertical and horizontal, so you can pick a template later without forcing the photo to fit.
Ten Holiday Card Photo Ideas That Work Here
1. Evergreens in the rain, rain gear on.
Where: any stand of tall firs and cedars. The trails at Lord Hill Regional Park near Snohomish are a good example, and plenty of neighborhood greenbelts work too. Under a forest canopy a light rain barely reaches you, and the overcast light is soft and even. Wear: rain shells or wool coats in deep, saturated colors: cranberry, mustard, forest green, navy. Rubber boots are welcome. One clear umbrella, held by the tallest person, adds a cozy touch without blocking faces. On the card: the dark trunks make a strong vertical frame. Ask for a shot with the family small and centered low, so the trees rise above them and the greeting can run across the canopy.
2. The beach in November light.
Where: a saltwater beach such as Kayak Point on Port Susan. Late fall sun sits low all afternoon, so the light stays warm for longer than in summer, and the beach is nearly empty. Wear: chunky knits, scarves and long coats in cream, camel, rust and soft blue, which echo the sand and water. Skip the bare feet; it is cold. On the card: a horizontal frame with the family to one side and open water and sky on the other is the easiest card layout there is. The horizon gives the text a natural line to sit on.
3. Your own front porch.
Where: home. A porch with a wreath, a stack of firewood, or a doorway with warm light behind it says "holiday" without any props from us. It is also the easiest option for families with babies, since nap and feeding happen ten steps away. Wear: what you would wear to host: sweaters, a nice flannel, a velvet dress for a little one. Keep the palette to two or three colors that sit well with your front door. On the card: step back and include the steps and doorframe. The door gives a clean rectangle above heads for the greeting, and a porch light switched on reads beautifully in the late-afternoon dimness.
4. Matching pajamas at a mini session.
Where: this one belongs indoors or at a cozy, covered setup, so it suits a holiday mini session well. Twenty minutes is plenty for a pajama card because nobody needs to warm up; kids in pajamas already think it is a party. Wear: matching or coordinated sets, with everyone in the same pattern or one pattern for the kids and a solid in the same color for the adults. Avoid tiny busy prints, which can shimmer on camera. Bring socks; feet show. On the card: pajama shots are playful, so a tighter crop works. Choose a template with a solid band of color for the text so the pattern does not fight the greeting.
5. The dog in the frame.
Where: anywhere the dog is calm, which usually means a familiar place, like your yard, your street, or a park you walk every week. Wear: a scarf or bandana on the dog in one of your family colors ties them in. For people, avoid colors that match the dog's coat exactly, or the dog disappears into someone's lap. On the card: get the dog's eyes at the same height as the kids' faces, either by lifting the dog or by getting everyone down to ground level. Bring a second adult to hold the leash and the treats right next to the camera. A dog that looks at the lens is the frame people put on the fridge.
6. Generations together.
Where: somewhere with a bench or low wall, so grandparents can sit while kids stand or perch beside them. Short walks and level ground matter more than a famous view. Wear: give each household one color from a shared palette, so the group reads as one family without looking like a uniform. Our guide on what to wear for holiday family photos has palettes and a simple formula for big groups. On the card: large groups need a horizontal frame and every face as large as possible, so keep text to a narrow strip along the bottom. With a big group, a full family session gives us time to get the whole group and each household on its own.
7. The lakefront on a still afternoon.
Where: Lundeen Park on Lake Stevens, or any dock or shoreline with calm water. On a grey, windless day the lake turns into a soft silver background. Wear: darker, richer tones (burgundy, deep green, charcoal) stand out against pale water and sky. On the card: the lake and sky make a wide, plain field above the family, which is ideal for a big script greeting. More lakeside spots are on our Lake Stevens photographer page.
8. Twinkle lights at blue hour.
Where: your own lit-up house or tree in the yard. In December the sun sets so early that "after dinner" light is actually the blue hour just after sunset, when the sky is deep blue and string lights glow without looking harsh. Wear: lighter layers like cream knits or a white coat, which catch the warm glow and keep faces bright in low light. On the card: this one works best vertical, with the lights framing the family and the dark sky above holding white or gold lettering.
9. The walk-away shot.
Where: a straight path or trail, such as a stretch of the Centennial Trail or a tree-lined road. The family walks away from the camera holding hands, or turns to look back over their shoulders. Wear: since you see backs and silhouettes, hats and bright coats do the work here: a red beanie, a plaid scarf, a yellow raincoat on the smallest walker. On the card: the path leading into the distance gives a huge amount of empty space. This is the most forgiving frame for long greetings or a family update, and it pairs nicely with a close-up on the back of a two-sided card.
10. Just the kids.
Where: anywhere from the list above. Many families end up choosing a siblings-only frame because it is the one where everyone is genuinely laughing. Wear: coordinate the kids with each other rather than with the adults: one color family, different textures. On the card: fill the frame with faces and use a template with text below the photo rather than over it. Put a group shot on the back if your card has two sides.
Small Details That Make a Card Photo Better
- One prop, not five. A mug of cocoa, a sled, a wreath or a plaid blanket is enough. Too many props crowd the frame and the text.
- Wear colors that suit your card. If you already know the card design you like, bring it up on your phone. We can match the location to it.
- Plan for the weather. Rain is fine for setups 1, 3 and 4. For the beach and the lake, have a backup day or a covered spot in mind.
- Get the snacks out of sight. Candy in a pocket works better than a bag on the ground that ends up in every frame.
- Choose two or three favorites, not one. Many card templates take multiple photos, and a second frame is useful for the back or for social media.
Mini Session or Full Session for Your Card?
For one strong card photo, a mini session is usually all a family needs. A holiday mini is $225 flat for 20 minutes and 10 edited photos, delivered within one week and it suits a family that wants one setup done well. Pick the setup from this list that fits your family best and we will build the session around it.
A full family session makes more sense if you want two setups (the forest and then the porch, say), if you are bringing grandparents and cousins, or if you want a full gallery to print as well as the card. Family sessions start at $450 for the Private Hour, and every rate is listed on our pricing page.
Ready to Plan Your Holiday Card Photo?
We're Sunny and Tina, a husband-and-wife photography team based in Lake Stevens and working across Snohomish County. Tell us which of these ten ideas you like, how many people (and dogs) are coming, and we will suggest a spot and a time of day that suits it. Book a holiday mini session online, or text (708) 677-7136 and we will reply within the hour, 7 days a week.
Related: when to book holiday card photos · what to wear for holiday family photos · family photography