The following Christmas portrait background ideas suit almost every family portrait, from the super traditional to the quirky and unusual:
Christmas Tree
This standard background is the staple of Christmas portraits. Whether you are at home or in the studio, posing in front of a Christmas tree is a great way to get into the holiday spirit. To personalize your photo, bring heirloom ornaments to the front, so they can be seen in the photo. Also, try experimenting with poses. Formal poses can be alternated with less formal, fun poses, such as a shot of the family in front of the tree in their pajamas waiting for Santa. However, when you are using a Christmas tree as a backdrop for your holiday photo make sure your clothing choices are neutral, as the tree is typically very colorful and busy.
Backdrops
Plain, solid backdrops also serve as a great foundation for holiday photos. Professional quality bakdrops are available in smooth plastic or paper, canvas or textured muslin varieties. They are also suitable for a large number of subjects. While it may seem plain, this Christmas portrait background idea allows for creativity with outfits and props. Muslin backdrops come in a variety of colors, including white, red, green and black – all of which can be used to create a Christmas theme. They also work well for both formally posed portraits and casual poses. Plain muslin or canvas backgrounds may seem bland, but they really represent an opportunity for your family to express themselves. This is the chance to use wacky outfits, bright colors and zany props.Fireplace
A fireplace decorated for the season with stockings and garland makes an excellent setting for a Christmas portrait. This idea can be used for fun, relaxed portraits. Try dressing the family in pajamas, posed around the fire with cups of hot cocoa. Or you can opt for a more traditional family portrait with the entire family dressed in their holiday best. Keep in mind that a fireplace is a busy backdrop, so avoid wearing bold prints. Instead, choose solid colored outfits for a more striking image.
Snow
Posing outside provides a number of opportnities to make your holiday photo stand out, from building a snowman to decorating the house. If you are lucky enough to have a blanket of snow in your yard while your portrait is being shot, then you might consider taking shots of a family snowball fight or the gang working on a snow fort. If you don't have the ingredients for a white Christmas during your photo shoot, then consider posing in front of evergreen bushes or trees dressed in hats, gloves and scarves.
Accessories
If you are looking to add spice to plain Christmas portrait background ideas, then gather some seasonal props, such as brightly wrapped presents, garland, Christmas tree ornaments and Santa hats. Props can enhance the background; however, it's important to remember that the focus should be on the photo subjects, so make sure that any props being used are not too distracting.
Tips to Consider
When planning your Christmas portrait session, speak with your photographer to discuss what types of backdrops are available. If you are shooting your own portrait, you'll need to consider how many people will be in the shots and their abilities to hold a pose. The very young and very old may not be comfortable posing with some background ideas.
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