If you’re hoping to send out holiday cards to friends and relatives this year, now’s the time to start booking your family photo shoot. These pictures are perfect for Christmas cards and other holiday greetings, and they’re a beautiful way to keep track of your family’s growth through the years. If you’re on the fence or have further questions about these photos shoots, take advantage of the following guide.

Why You Should Get Holiday Photos

If you’ve recently had a child who wasn’t featured in last year’s Christmas card, your friends and relatives are probably eager to see the new addition to your family. You may have hundreds of photos of them on your smartphone, but nothing quite compares to a shot of the whole family on a professional camera. Even if you don’t send them out in cards, you’ll capture a moment in your family history and be able to look back on it for years to come.

What to Wear

Sending Christmas cards is an excellent opportunity to dress your children in adorable, matching outfits or coordinate ensembles in classic holiday colors. Photo shoots don’t have to be formal—in fact, photographers often prefer casual clothing, as children pose more naturally and have more fun in the process. Choose a relaxed yet festive outfit; consider dark denim pants and red buffalo plaid shirts or white tees and matching scarves.

What Themes to Choose From

To enhance your photos and encourage your children to get excited about the shoot, consider a theme. For example, you could pose at a Christmas tree farm, surrounded by the rich, dark green of Douglas firs with twinkling lights in the distance. Or, shoot right outside your home next to a pile of freshly chopped firewood for a rustic, woodsy look. If you prefer an indoor shoot, arrange some festive fun for the kids by surrounding them in wrapped presents and decorating the walls with wreaths and tinsel.

If you’re eager to book a holiday photo shoot with a professional photographer, turn to Meredith Struebing Photography of St. Charles, MO. She has over 20 years of experience capturing families in their prime, offering everything from wardrobe and makeup suggestions to editing and retouching services. She is also recognized as one of the Best Newborn Photographers in St. Louis. To learn more about her respected work, call (636) 255-4679, and visit the website to schedule a free style consultation.