Wanting to capture the magic of the season in images this Christmas but no idea what shot to take? Try these Christmas photo ideas for couples.
I have a huge dislike of having photos taken. In the past, I would have described myself as unphotogenic. However recently, I came to release that my dislike of having photos taken had transformed itself into this kind of rictus on my face. In fact, often when the photo was taken, I would do this kind of involuntary shudder.
Last year, we took a colleague out to lunch and the requisite phones were brought out to capture the moment. One of my colleagues loudly exclaimed, “I love having my picture taken.”
How could this be? I asked myself. Surely such a thing is not possible. Yet as I looked at the snaps afterwards, she looked radiant.
I looked frozen.
I asked myself, How would it be if I looked at the camera like I was actually enjoying myself?
Like I was loving having my picture taken?
Reader, it made all the difference.
And that, as well as these Christmas photo ideas for couples, as about all the photography advice you’ll get from me.
But together they’ll make for some awesome shots this Christmas – because having a focus to the picture also helps!
Christmas photo ideas for couples you can take at home
The fireplace and hot chocolate shot
Set the scene for your Christmas couple’s photo with this super cute shot. Have a roaring fire and a cup of hot chocolate at the ready. You can even focus on your hands holding the mugs with the fire as a backdrop if you’re not ready to love the camera just yet.
Why not select your hot chocolate prop from one of these delicious hot chocolate recipes?
The kissing under the mistletoe shot
Another word of advice – when I thought I was over that – is NOT to get all into the kiss and like use tongues or anything. My husband and I graduated from college at the same time (degrees / diplomas we did later in life) and my stepmother took some suck-face shots, Truly awful. Keep the tongues inside your own mouth for this one.
The hanging ornaments on a Christmas tree shot
A super cute couple’s photo is of you both hanging ornaments on the tree.
Buying a Christmas ornament makes for a special couple’s Christmas tradition. Taking a photo as you hang up this year’s is a clever idea for remembering what ornament you bought when!
Check out these beautiful Christmas ornaments for ideas.
The we’ve just finished decorating this beautiful tree shot
Depending on your mood, this Christmas couples photo idea can be funny or romantic. Funny could be the collapsing in front of the tree looking so stunning behind you. Romantic could be all cozy together with the lights of the tree behind you.
The classic posing in matching ugly Christmas sweaters shot
Who doesn’t love an ugly Christmas sweater? Like many things in life, it’s better with two.
The best pictures using these photo ideas feature you and your loved one doing a very traditional pose with super serious looks on your faces.
Show Jesus is the reason for the season with this ugly Christmas summer.
This ugly sweater is both awesome and terrible at the same time. Get ready to ruin Christmas photos in this beauty.
This super soft sweater features an adorable llama.
This ugly green Christmas cardigan features tinsel and baubles.
This green tacky Christmas sweater with ornaments will be a hit this Christmas.
The present exchange shot
No matter what people say, without gifts, it doesn’t feel like Christmas.
This shot captures you exchanging gifts with each other, ideally wrapped in complimentary wrapping for the aesthetics.
You could even take it to the next level and have the gifts opened with the look of complete surprise and delight on your faces (unless you’re like me and have a spreadsheet of wanting gifts thus removing some of the element of surprise but also removing all potential disappointment).
Another option is to take a pic of the night before Christmas when you open your Christmas Eve box.
The baking Christmas cookies while wearing matching aprons shot
Ah – cookies.
Try this shot if you’re having a bad hair day. Consider a close-up of a baking sheet filled with freshly baked cookies, with a you clad in matching aprons in the background, surrounded by festive Christmas decor.
Here’s some Christmas cookie recipes to help you out.
The cozying up under a blanket with a book of Christmas stories shot
With this shot, you’re wanting snuggled up under a cozy blanket, reading a book of Christmas stories together while sipping on hot cocoa.
The crafting a master gingerbread house together shot
Think working together to complete a beautiful and intricately decorated gingerbread house, surrounded by an array of colorful candies and decorations. This might be one of those shots where appearance is definitely different from reality.
The hanging stockings by the fireplace shot
Not too sure what people do without fireplaces! If that’s you, consider some other place where you can hang the stockings (you could even cheat and do a close up of the stockings and call it a day).
The smooching while wearing Santa hats shot
All I’m going to say for this one is remember my advice for the kissing under the mistletoe shot and apply it here.
The making a snowman together shot
Here’s another one of those shots where the emphasis is on teamwork, as you build a cheerful snowman, surrounded by a wintery wonderland of snow-covered trees and frosty hills
The sharing a romantic moment while sipping on eggnog shot
This one is fairly self-explanatory. Think eye contact and small, “we’re sharing a secret” smiles.
The snuggling up in matching Christmas-themed pajama shot
For this one, think snuggled up in bed, wearing cozy and matching Christmas-themed pajamas, surrounded by soft and fluffy pillows and blankets. If that’s not your jam, it also works well in front of the fire or Christmas tree.
The kissing while standing under a string of Christmas lights shot
Bring out the romance in this shot! Share a romantic kiss while standing under a sparkling string of Christmas lights, creating a magical vibe.
Christmas photo ideas for couples when you want to venture outside
Want some pics outside the confines of your property? No problem – check out these Christmas photo ideas.
The walk in a winter wonderland, all bundled up warm and holding hands shot
You’ll be wanting a wintery landscape covered in sparkling snowflakes for this one.
Bundle up in cozy coats, scarves, and hats to capture the atmosphere.
Hand holding required!
The romantic moment while standing in falling snow shot
Keep your focus on each other in this dreamy shot. Aim for a long shot (that shows the whole length of your bodies) with small flakes of falling snow.
The holding hands while walking through a Christmas market shot
This one is best taken in a German Christmas market, but if that’s not on the cards this year, your ordinary everyday Christmas market can count.
It’s all about the atmosphere in this shot so think strolling through a bustling Christmas market, hand in hand. The market would be filled with colorful lights, festive musicians and lots of action.
You might also like: Christmas vacation ideas for couples.
The silly pose in front of a giant inflatable Santa or snowman shot
Doing a silly pose without looking forced is harder than you might think. Tell yourself that you’re deliberately hamming it up and you look hilarious, even when your ego wants to tell you that’s a lie.
The posing in front of a beautifully decorated house or storefront shot
You can choose to even simply feature your backs or a side profile here to put the focus on the other elements, particularly if you’re lucky enough to live somewhere that has truly beautiful window displays come Christmas time.
Photography is a powerful tool for capturing and preserving those precious moments, especially during the holiday season when we create memories that last a lifetime.
While you may feel intimidated by the prospect of taking or being in said photos, it’s important to remember that with a bit of creativity, a willingness to experiment, and an eye for beauty, you can have photos that reflect the joy, warmth, and magic of the holiday season.
(And how about captioning them with some of these Christmas love quotes?)
So grab your camera or smartphone, gather your loved one, and start capturing those special moments today using these Christmas photo ideas for couples!