Do you have the right photos to make beautiful holiday scrapbook pages?
The designers have provided a checklist of photos to take this holiday season, so your pages can look amazing! Scroll through the post to see the list, tips and some of our lovely layout ideas. There might be some ideas on our list you haven't thought of!
At the end of this post, we have a couple of photo tips!
1. Festive Decorations
- Close-up shots of ornaments on the tree
- Wreaths and garlands with unique textures and colors
- Stockings hung by the fireplace
The top of this layout features a mosaic of decorations of the giant Christmas tree at Animal Kingdom. Plus, you can see two more wild holiday decorations in the bottom corners.
Close ups of the decorations are perfect for embellishing your scrapbook pages. Paije used two different photos for the mosaic and they are blended together as if they are a single photo.
Tip: make sure you take several shots of the same decor, so you have a variety to use on your layouts.
This Layout Features: 12x12 Meadow Green Grid Paper (Trailblazer Collection), Layering Die Bundle, and the Basic Die Bundle. Pattern Paper from BasicGrey™.
2. Holiday Lights
- Twinkling holiday lights on the tree
- Outdoor light displays in the neighborhood
- Candles and luminaries creating a warm ambiance
In the page above, photos of holiday lights from Busch Gardens Christmas Town were cut into mosaic pieces.
Be sure to be very still when you take photos of lights. We recommend taking some photos right before the sun sets since they are less likely to be blurry. After dark, lock your elbows to the sides of your body to keep your camera as still as possible or use a tripod or other solid structure.
This Layout Features: 12x12 Silver Grid Paper (Shimmer Collection), Layering Die Bundle, and the Basic Die Bundle.
3. Family Traditions
- Capturing the family in matching holiday attire or Ugly sweater shots
- Shots of family members participating in holiday traditions (baking, decorating, etc.)
- Close-ups of special ornaments or heirlooms with sentimental value
Every Christmas, Lauren and her family bake and decorate cute Christmas cookies!
Although these traditions are repeated every year, it's fun to see the changes and growth through the years. Plus, you can change up your pages each year with different colors and dies.
Tip: Family members will likely get tired of smiling for the camera. So, get those smiley or group shots early and expect to mostly take candid shots through out the activity.
This Layout Features: 12x12 Pearl Grid Paper (Shimmer Collection), Christmas Cookies Die Set, Ginger Friends die set, and the Basic Die Bundle.
4. Holiday Table Settings
- Photos of the festive table centerpiece
- Close-ups of holiday-themed tableware and decorations
- Candid shots of family and friends gathered around the table
Items such as tableware don't always last forever, so this holiday be sure to take some photos of it.
Jodi got a picture of some of the tableware (see the top center of layout) and we love the plates and decorated cups! She also has a cute photo of her granddaughter with one of the plates and another of the family at the dinner table.
Tip: Set a reminder on your phone. The holidays can be busy, so set an alert for the morning to take photos before the meal begins!
This Layout Features: 12x12 Malt Grid Paper, Layering Die Bundle, and the Basic Die Bundle. Pattern Paper from Echo Park™.
5. Gift Wrapping and Unwrapping
- Creative shots of beautifully wrapped presents
- Candid moments of loved ones unwrapping gifts
- Close-ups of gift tags and ribbons
There is nothing sweeter than taking photos of your sweet grand baby opening her gifts!
When you take photos of the unwrapping, be sure to take before and after shots. Tami bought adorable wrapping paper for Chloe's gifts, so she took the photos before it was too late. In the page above, you can see Chloe in the middle of opening a gift and there's a picture of one of the gifts she received.
Tip: be sure to let everyone know when you are camera ready or wait to pass out a gift after you have your camera out.
This Layout Features: 12x12 Speckled Glory Green Grid Paper (Holidau Collection), Carpenter Star Die Set, Layering Die Bundle, and the Basic Die Bundle. Pattern Paper from Simple Stories™.
6. Seasonal Nature Shots
- Snow-covered landscapes (where possible)
- Frost on windows or outdoor surfaces
- Close-ups of winter foliage or berries
If you look at a few of the 2x2 squares, Jodi added some photos of red berries during the holiday season.
As you can see, they make a great embellishment for her layout.
This Layout Features: 12x12 Cocoa Grid Paper, Circle Tiles & Tab die set, Numbers 3 die set, and the Basic Die Bundle. Stamps from Catherine Pooler Designs™.
7. Texture & Patterns
- Macro shots of holiday textiles (tree skirts, blankets, etc.)
- Patterns on holiday-themed wrapping paper
- Close-ups of textures in seasonal decorations (wood, metal, fabric)
Paije had a picture of silver, pink and purple tinsel and it makes a great texture on her page!
Textures and patterns are something to keep your eye out for during the holidays since they tend to be overlooked. If there are items in your home such as a woven blanket or maybe you have a wood carved decoration, get up close and use the photos as filler on your layouts.
This Layout Features: 12x12 Plum Pudding Grid Paper (Renaissance Revival Collection), Arabesque die, and the Basic Die Bundle.
8. Holiday Food & Drinks
- Delicious close-ups of holiday meals and desserts
- Shots of festive drinks and mugs
- Candid moments of family members enjoying holiday treats
We love that Candy added a photo of the chocolates and one of herself enjoying one!
Whether you have a favorite family recipe or a holiday treat you enjoy - take a photo of it! You may even want to add journaling about why it's one of your favorites.
This Layout Features: 12x12 Pewter, Mini Banners die set, Numbers 2 Die set, Layering Die Bundle, and the Basic Die Bundle. Pattern Paper from Creative Memories™.
9. Outdoor Scenes
- Scenic shots of the neighborhood adorned with holiday lights
- Local holiday events or parades
- Nature shots with a seasonal touch (fallen leaves, frost-covered branches)
Jodi went to a live nativity which often takes place outdoors.
Many holiday events are in the evening, so keep your camera as still as possible and you may want to use the burst setting on your phone. Be sure to take photos of the event, plus any decor and reactions of your family members.
This Layout Features: 12x12 Military Green Grid Paper, Five Point Star die set, Layering Die Bundle, and the Basic Die Bundle. Pattern Paper from BoBunny™.
10. Reflection & Gratitude
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Candid shots capturing reflective moments during holiday celebrations
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Photos that express gratitude and togetherness
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Close-ups of handwritten notes or letters expressing holiday wishes
11. Festive Pet Moments
- Candid shots of pets wearing holiday-themed accessories
- Close-ups of pets interacting with holiday decorations
- Family members playing or cuddling with pets in a festive setting
Paije's dog, Sadie, loves Christmas - you can see her happy expression right in the center photo!
Paije took photos of her dog playing with her holiday toys. Make sure you get a picture before your pets tear them up! Plus, Sadie enjoys laying in and tearing up the wrapping paper too, so Paije captured those moments.
Tip: Have your camera on the action setting for pet photos. If you are using a phone, use the burst setting.
This Layout Features: Layering Die Bundle, and the Basic Die Bundle. Pattern Paper from ™.
12. DIY Crafting & Decor Projects
- Photos of the family engaged in holiday crafting activities
- Close-ups of handmade ornaments or decorations
- Shots of the creative process and the final results
Tip: When taking indoor photos, try to have natural lighting when possible.
Make your crafts during the day when it's light outside. This way the room will be bright without having to use the flash setting, plus it's less likely your photos will come out blurry.
13. Advent Calendar Moments
- Daily shots capturing the excitement of opening advent calendar doors
- Close-ups of the small surprises or treats within the advent calendar
- Family members participating in advent calendar activities
14. Cozy Indoor Scenes
- Photos of family members gathered around the fireplace
- Close-ups of cozy blankets, pillows, and holiday-themed textiles
- Shots of indoor decorations creating a warm and inviting atmosphere
Look how Lauren's family looks so cozy in the living room with their new puppy.
How often do we have these moments and never photograph them? This year, make it your goal to take candid photos of your family in the living room or by the fireplace. Later, you can create a simple layout with them and enjoy the memories of home.
Bonus: we love the pattern paper Lauren used - it reminds us of a warm shirt or blanket.
This Layout Features: 12x12 Forest Grid Paper and the Basic Die Bundle.
15. Reflections in Ornaments
- Creative shots capturing reflections of family members in ornaments
- Close-ups of ornaments with unique textures and intricate details
- Using ornaments as frames for capturing candid moments
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Be sure to take a mix of wide-angle shots to capture the overall ambiance and close-up shots for details.
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Get both horizontal and vertical shots. It will pay off later when you are creating your pages.