Home for the Holidays: Why Holiday Family Photos Are the Good Stuff
Holiday family photos aren’t just about getting everyone dressed up and smiling for the camera; they’re about pausing time, just for a moment. They’re about slowing down, remembering what life looks & feels like right now, whether that involves sticky fingers in the kitchen or a full house with grown kids back under one roof.
The holiday family photos you’ll actually remember
One of my favorite childhood memories is making Christmas cookies. My mom would make the batter ahead of time and then we’d gather around our kitchen counter and take turns spreading out the dough, cutting our favorite shapes, and putting them helter-skelter on the cookie sheets. It was messy, fun, probably at least partially stressful for my mom, and we looked forward to it every year.
Fast forward 30+ years and I’m doing the same thing with my own kids, except around our dining room table because the kitchen doesn’t photograph very well. 😉
These photos instantly transport me back to that moment. The sticky fingers, the frosting everywhere, the mess of it all (I know it doesn’t look that messy but that’s the miracle of a good photographer and a blank wall 😉)...this was life three years ago and I can’t believe how quickly the time has flown!
Savor the little moments
Someday oh so soon these little ones will be driving themselves home for the holidays (cue the tears! Maybe yours are already here?). I’ll take photos then, too, anxious to freeze time that just won’t slow down before our home changes again (and again and again).
These little moments? I want to help you remember them, too. Because one day you and I, we’ll look back and realize, this was the good stuff. The quiet (or crazy!) moments, the sticky fingers, the little ones growing into adults right before our very eyes.
bet you didn’t notice that laundry on the couch
What a “Home for the Holidays” Session looks like
My “Home for the Holidays” sessions are relaxed, two-hour experiences in your home or a favorite place. They’re designed to pause time for a bit and document your family as you really are, right now.
Whether you’re…
baking cookies
picking out or decorating a tree
playing board games, or
Gathering everyone together for a cozy night in
…these photos will help you savor this season for a lifetime.
You don’t need a picture-perfect home or matching pajamas — just your people, your favorite traditions, and a willingness to be yourselves.
Booking details
I’m only booking five “Home for the Holidays” family photo sessions between now and New Year’s. If you’ve been thinking about booking holiday family photos in New Hampshire, this is the time.
Final thoughts
Home is always changing. Kids grow up. Traditions evolve. Over time, the table looks a little different.
But the love, laughter, and stories that fill it? Those are worth savoring and remembering.
That’s what holiday family photos are truly about — keeping those fleeting, beautiful moments close long after the season has passed.
FAQ: “Home for the Holidays” Family Photo Sessions
What should we wear for holiday family photos?
You’re at home, so choose outfits that feel like you in this season! It can help to select colors that go with your holiday décor (if you have it up) or your home décor, but really, be yourself and think about how you want to be remembered in this season. I’m always available for outfit guidance; send me some photos and I’ll give you feedback!
Where do holiday family photos take place?
Usually at home or a location that’s meaningful to you — somewhere you can relax and be yourselves.
Do you still take posed photos?
Yes. Most sessions include a mix of candid storytelling and a few gently posed shots for framing and gifting.
Do these sessions work for families with teens or kids in college?
Most definitely, yes! We may design the session around a different activity - maybe a game night or everyone cooking together or going out to cut a Christmas tree - but these holiday family sessions absolutely ideal for families with teens or kids in college! It’s never too late to document your favorite holiday traditions together.
