DIY Tips for Making an Easy Christmas Scene for Photos

I don’t know about you, but the Holidays get pretty Pinterest-y around here. Because of that, I have learned a thing or two about DIY-ing some photo scenes.

Want to do a fun Christmas shoot for the Holidays but don’t have a big budget?

This scene is perfect for holiday images and family Christmas cards! Here are some easy ways to create this really classic look without breaking the bank! 

4 STEPS TO CREATE AN EASY CHRISTMAS SCENE FOR PHOTOS: Tips from a Utah Photographer

ONE | LOOK FOR A WELL-LIT WHITE BACKDROP

This could be a wall in your home, using your garage, or even just buying some white material to hang as the backdrop. 

I personally use my Shipping Container studio designed by Alternative Living Spaces. It’s got large windows and white shiplap walls, making it a clean slate for any shoot! 

TWO | GET OUT THE WRAPPING PAPER

I collected boxes from shipments I had received a couple of months prior to this holiday shoot. These will be used to make the presents for your scene!

If you don’t have a hoarder’s box collection like me, you could buy some boxes from places like The Home Depot or the UPS store. 

The thing I did spend money on for this shoot was gift wrapping paper. I bought plain white wrapping paper, a tan wrapping paper, and another tan wrapping paper with little snowflakes on it for texture. I personally like the simple color palette because no matter what your families wear to the shoot the colors won’t clash.

THREE | RECRUIT THE ELVES

No matter how hard I try I can never wrap my boxes as neatly or as tidily as my mom. So, if you’ve got some help for this project, use it! 

FOUR | GET CREATIVE WITH IT

Here’s where you get creative and fill in any holes in your scene with the random collection of Holiday items you already own. I grabbed a couple of white chairs from my home, that way I could have the option of having families sit, stand, or plop on the floor with the presents.

 Then I grabbed ornaments from my Christmas tree and a couple of winter floral items I had collected over the years from Michael’s and Hobby Lobby.

Voila!

Just by using items I already had a home I was able to create a more full-looking Christmas Scene.

This Christmas Scene is great for a minimal, clean, hygge Christmas look and worked really well with lots of different holiday outfits and colors! 

Not to mention you can use it as a way to give back during the holiday season by donating $10 of every shoot to your local food bank. This year I tried this idea out with the Utah Food Bank and was so happy to see how many families donate canned items AS WELL AS the $10 from their mini-session. You would be surprised how much food from just $10 out of your session fee can produce!! 

This felt really special and I will definitely be making this a holiday tradition every year! 

INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS?