How To Set Up a Holiday Photoshoot at Home
Holiday season is here & I’m pretty sure you can agree with me when I say… money is being spent left & right! Gifts, food, décor, outfits…your wallet is probably doing the most! But one thing you absolutely don’t need to overspend on? Holiday photos.
You can easily & I mean eassssilyyyy, set up your own photoshoot at home. Whether you have an empty wall, a corner, or even a couch—throw a holiday-colored blanket over it, add a couple of festive pillows, & boom an instant photoset.
I filmed some fun BTS moments of my at-home holiday photoshoot for Vlogmas, so if you want to see how the day went, check it out on my YouTube channel.
Here’s exactly how I created my at-home holiday shoot for Vlogmas so you can recreate the same magic in your own space.
Choose Your Space
Find a clean corner, a blank wall, or a cute couch moment. Seriously, it doesn’t need to be fancy. Just uncluttered. If you have natural light, great. If you don’t, that’s fine too. A lamp or ring light will get you through. I used a simple wall in my home & brought it to life with minimal décor.
Pick Your Theme
Before anything, get your ideas flowing. Search on Pinterest, the search engine we all love oh so much! My photographer also sent ideas my way, which I loved. Definitely collaborate with whoever you’re teaming up with for the shoot. Two creative brains are always better than one. I went with a classic holiday theme…home decor:
A Christmas tree
Wrapped gifts (empty boxes)
Wall decor
Decorate/Build Your Background (Don’t Overthink It)
Trust me when I say, a holiday photoset does not need to be complicated. Honestly… a tree & wrapped gifts are all you need. That’s what I did & guess how much I spent on the décor? Twelve. Dollars. It was for the bow on my tree. That’s it. I had everything else already.
No gifts to wrap yet? No problem. You can wrap empty boxes. Add garland if you want. Keep it easy & inexpensive.
Decide on Your Photographer (or DIY)
Make this decision before the shoot so you know what you do & don’t need. You can:\
Hire a photographer (you won’t need more than an hour)
Or go the DIY route with your lovely tripod & clicker
Both options work. Just commit to one so you can plan your angles, poses & timing.
One Setting = Multiple Concepts
This is where the magic happens. When your setup is intentional, you can shoot so many looks/concepts in the same spot. No need to rebuild your set for each idea. Leave the background as is & simply switch your outfits, props, poses & energy! You’ll save time, stay consistent, & get more content than you expect.
In ONE setting, I did four full concepts:
Concept 1: Dressy & Decorating ✨
A glam red dress & moments interacting with the tree.
Concept 2: Wrapping & Unwrapping Gifts 🎁
Cozy floor vibes with green leg warmers & gift boxes.
Concept 3: Carrying Gifts 🎁
Standing shots, walking shots, playful poses holding presents.
Concept 4: The Fun Shot 🎀
The oversized silver bow. Instant personality. Instant holiday joy.
Choosing Your Outfits
When it comes to outfits, keep it simple & choose pieces that photograph well. A colorful dress that gives holiday without trying too hard works perfectly for the dressy shots, it doesn’t have to be red or green! You can absolutely get away with bright colors, metallics, neutrals, or whatever feels festive to you. Even black (I did)!
For the cozy or fun shots, pajamas always win. A cute matching set, loungewear, or even leggings with a soft top will look great in front of your setup. The key is choosing outfits that create variety so all your photos don’t look the same, even though you’re shooting in one spot.
Remember, holiday photos don’t have to break your budget, so don’t overthink it! All you need is a small space, a few décor pieces, a theme, & a little creativity. Trust me, you can create beautiful, festive photos without spending more than the cost of a tree bow.
If you have any questions, let me know in the comments!
Chat soon!
xoJR
