Photograph your family holiday: 3 Tips for more meaning and less stress

Slow down and photograph your family holidays with more meaning and less stress. These simple tips help you focus on what matters, tell better stories through your photos, and actually enjoy the season while you’re at it — whether you’re celebrating at home or adventuring across Oʻahu.

Easy tips to photograph your family holiday

I don’t know why but every year, I feel caught off guard by December. How did a whole year slip by already? It feels too fast, especially with all the planning and festivities that come with December. There are holiday performances, potlucks, gifts, decorations, time with family and friends and so much good food. A lot of important memories are born in our holiday rituals and there is pressure to document all this magic.

Here are three simple ways to photograph your family holiday with more meaning and less stress –

1. Determine what is most important to you.
   
   Don’t feel like you must capture every moment of the holidays. Focus on key events that matter most – maybe a visit to the grandparents, decorating the tree, or making cookies with the kids. Once you have an idea of what to focus on, give yourself permission to put your camera away and take a break.
   
2. Take fewer photos.
   
   Taking many photos feels like a safe thing to do, but it could be hurting you. If you take a bunch of photos with a loose plan to deal with them later, you’re not as focused and thoughtful so the quality of those photos suffers. Additionally, all these subpar photos clogging up your phone and hard drive are overwhelming. Too many options lead to decision paralysis. Instead of having your favorite moments printed, gifted or easily accessible to enjoy on your phone, they slip into digital obscurity.
   
3. Tell your story.
   
   Personally, if I look back at the most beloved photos from 5, 10, 20+ years ago, they all have something in common. They can instantly transport me back to that moment – like little time machines. Sometimes it’s a single photo, other times it’s a grouping of three or four photos together. Either way, these photos tell you more than what a person looks like smiling at the camera (although those have their place too), they tell a story.
   
   You can use a story-telling approach to take better photos of your family this holiday. Here, I mean story-telling in the literal sense which I’m simplifying to include theme (the message you want to communicate), mood (the emotional atmosphere), setting (where your story takes place), and characters (who will star in your story).

What does a story-telling approach look like?

One of our family’s Christmas traditions is to search for a Norfolk Pine to harvest and decorate. We’ve done this many times so I have an idea of how it’s going to play out and can anticipate key moments.

1. The theme for this tradition is adventure so I look for photos that support that theme. However, the mood often varies. Some years, the sun shines brightly with crisp weather and we easily find great trees. Other years, we hide in our cars until a rain squall passes before embarking on a slippery trail. One year, the kids ran ahead in a pack, and we lost them for a full 20 minutes. That was scary. The idea is to capture what it feels like to be there.
   
   In the photo above golden sun peeks through the dark forest as my son searches for the perfect tree. Wearing a sweater and walking barefoot adds to winter in Hawaii atmosphere.
   
   
2. Setting – To set the scene, I Include wide shots of the forest showcasing the height of the trees and wild feeling. Details like pine cones and leaves carpeting the forest floor add texture and depth. We used these to create wreaths.
   
   
3. Characters. Who was there? What friends did we manage to convince to join us on our tree journey and how did they experience it. Not only faces, but what tells you a little about their character? In the last photo you can see a sleepy toddler being carried along with the tree.

Ready to turn your holiday chaos into memories worth keeping?

Whether you’re hauling home a 9-foot Norfolk or debating ornament placement with a toddler, your traditions deserve more than a quick phone snap. And if you’re choosing a photographer, here’s what to look for so you find someone who fits your family well.

And if you’re local and love the idea of simple, joyful annual photos, hop on the Mini Session Insider List — it’s where I release holiday mini session dates first, and they tend to disappear faster than a tray of holiday cookies.

👉 Get on the Insider List
👉 Plan your holiday session with me

FAQ

How can I take meaningful family holiday photos?
Focus on moments that matter most—like your family’s favorite traditions—and don’t worry about documenting everything. A few intentional photos tell a better story than dozens of random snapshots.

Why should I take fewer photos?
Taking fewer photos helps you stay present and capture stronger images. Too many throwaway shots clutter your camera roll and make it harder to find and enjoy your favorites later.

What does a storytelling approach to photography mean?
It means thinking like a storyteller: capture the theme, mood, setting, and characters of your holiday moments. Wide shots show context, while details and expressions add emotion.

What are examples of storytelling photos?
Try photographing the process, not just the results—kids baking cookies, the tree-hunting adventure, grandparents sharing stories, or the quiet after the celebration. Those small, in-between moments are gold.

How can I balance photographing and being present?
Decide in advance what you want to capture, take those photos, and then put your camera away. You’ll be free to enjoy your family and still have meaningful memories preserved.

Can I use these tips outside the holidays?
Absolutely. These same storytelling techniques work for family vacations, birthdays, or everyday adventures—anytime you want to document life more intentionally.

Should I hire a professional photographer for family holiday photos?
If you want to be fully present and still have beautiful, cohesive images (where you’re actually in your family’s story!), hiring a professional can help. Little Bird Photography offers both full sessions and mini holiday portraits.