Baby First Christmas Photo Ideas

Baby’s First Christmas can be an exciting time, whether it’s your first time as a parent or a family milestone you can’t wait to celebrate.

Family photography is our specialty, so we’re here to give you some fantastic photo ideas for Baby’s First Christmas!

We’ve rounded up 11 Baby’s First Christmas photo ideas that will help you ensure you have a memorable, enchanting time celebrating the holidays with your little one.

Decorating your home with Christmas lights, presents under the tree, holiday sweaters, and family Christmas pajamas is something a lot of us enjoy year after year. Creating family photos that commemorate those special Christmas moments for the first time, however, can be a new and unique way to make the season extra special!

Let’s see how to make those first Christmas photos something you’ll look back on for years to come!

Why Take Photos of Baby’s First Christmas?

As with any first-time holiday season with a new baby, there is an extra special quality to the magic and excitement around the house.

It’s not just about the lights, presents, and festive family memories anymore; it’s about the connection you’re building with your newest family member and all the first moments they get to share with you this season.

Creating a time capsule of these moments through family photos is a great way to start, especially if these are your first Christmas photos with a little one. Taking your time to try different angles, compositions, settings, and poses will make it easier for you to choose later on which photos work best.

But more importantly, setting the scene, picking an outfit, and capturing those tiny moments as they happen makes the experience of decorating and preparing for the holidays that much more memorable. Enjoy taking your time and being creative with your photos!

Baby’s First Christmas Photo Ideas for Family Memories

Christmas is a great time of the year to bring family together and commemorate special holidays with beautiful Christmas family photos.

1. Cozy Christmas Pajama Photo

Family Christmas pajamas are an endearing, simple way to start creating an archive of first-time Christmas photos to celebrate the festive season.

This simple yet cozy holiday photo idea never goes out of style, and it’s also a great photo to help you personalize your holiday experience this year.

For the perfect Baby’s First Christmas photos, try these tips:

Family matching: Match your pajamas and set up a photo with your little one!
Christmas tree backdrop: Place yourselves in front of the Christmas tree in your pajamas for the perfect backdrop.
Props: Place your little one’s favorite plush toys in the shot or add a small gift box, tree ornament, or Christmas stocking to the scene.
Natural expressions: Try going for a more candid shot of you snuggling or hugging your little one or capturing a peaceful moment as the two of you stare at the tree.

2. Baby and the Christmas Tree Close-Up

Close-up family Christmas photos of your little one by the tree are a timeless photo idea. Lights on the Christmas tree, ornaments, the soft twinkle, and Christmas trees in the background make for the perfect Baby’s First Christmas photos.

Tree positioning: Position your baby close to the tree or underneath if they’re sitting up.
Decorations: If your little one is sitting up, you can also try a sitting position with the tree lit up behind them.
Lights: Make sure to have the tree lights on for the picture, but no flash!

3. First Christmas Stocking Photo

Christmas stockings are also a major part of the holiday experience, so you can use them for photos too. A popular and classic photo to take for Baby’s First Christmas is placing your little one in or near their Christmas stocking.

Place them in the stocking and see how cute you can get!
Location: Place them in a large soft stocking (and make sure your little one is always supervised when in the stocking) or have them hold a stocking with their name and the year embroidered on the fabric.
Fireplace: Position it next to a fireplace or the Christmas tree for a warm, inviting look.
Props: Add a gift or a tiny stuffed toy peeking out of the stocking to the scene.

4. Baby as Santa’s Little Helper

Dressing your baby up as Santa or a little helper is also a cute and festive photo for Baby’s First Christmas photos. Pair the outfit with something festive that your little one can pose with or that they’ll enjoy looking at while you take their picture.

Santa: Get a little Santa suit, elf costume, or a reindeer onesie for the perfect little Christmas photo.
Props: Add a toy sack for them to hold or fill up with little gift boxes or reindeer antlers and other festive props.
Location: Create a Santa’s workshop setup with a festive blanket, toy tools, and gift wrap.

5. Candid Family Moment Around the Tree

Candid shots of you, your little one, and other family members around the Christmas tree are an endearing way to mark Baby’s First Christmas. Candid shots are not all about looking perfect for the camera, but rather about capturing the moment.

Let those family Christmas outfits shine through in your Baby’s First Christmas photos, and show off your happy family!

Candid shot ideas: Reading a story together, getting presents, snuggling, or simply gazing at the tree are all special, candid shots you might try.
Family coordination: Try coordinating outfits for the photo with your older kids to make a great family photo.
Backdrop: Place them near the Christmas tree to get that soft tree glow lighting. Try to minimize clutter in the shot.

6. Newborn Baby Wrapped in Christmas Lights

For those of you celebrating Baby’s First Christmas with a newborn, here’s a soft and simple Christmas photo idea for you. Wrapping up your newborn in soft Christmas lights is a beautiful, quiet, and intimate way to capture them on their first holiday season.

Safety first: Make sure your newborn is not at risk of getting tangled or burnt. Use LED Christmas lights that don’t heat up, and don’t plug the cord in.
Backdrop: The backdrop can be as simple as a neutral-colored blanket or a soft textured rug to make the lights and your baby stand out.
Lighting: Try to make sure you use soft, natural lighting when you take the photo.

7. Christmas Tree Ornament Photo

Holding or touching a Christmas ornament or gently reaching up at a Christmas tree are great ideas for smaller, more artistic shots.

Tiny: Try getting a photo of your baby’s tiny hands on a shiny ornament or your baby gently gazing up at the tree.
Props: Vintage or personalized ornaments with your baby’s name and the year are a great choice for this photo idea.
Composition: Try using a close-up shot where your baby’s face is visible and lit under the soft glow of the tree.

8. Snow-Themed Photo (If You’re in a Snowy Area)

If you’re in a part of the country that has snow around Christmas, you’re in luck! Try getting a fun and playful outdoor photo with your little one playing in the snow. Snow, a baby, and the innocence and wonder of their first Christmas season all make for truly magical family photos.

Snowed-in: An area with some pine trees in the background, or a wooden cabin or house all make for an excellent setting for this photo.
Baby’s outfit: Bundle up your baby in a warm cozy outfit like a snow suit, a tiny knitted hat, and mittens.
Props: Use a sled or a baby-sized scarf for props, or even try a tiny snowman or Christmas ornament toy.

9. Baby’s First Christmas Card Photo

Sending a first Christmas card can be something you’ll treasure for years to come. If you’re planning on sending Christmas cards out this year, a first Christmas card photo is a great first-time holiday photo.

Classic Christmas: Set up your baby in front of the tree or a Christmas fireplace, with a seasonal sweater and classic outfit.
Composition: Try a natural framing in front of the tree with a plain, neutral background. The idea is to keep the focus on your baby.
Props: You can personalize your Christmas card by adding your baby’s name and writing “Baby’s First Christmas” on the bottom or inside the card.

10. Classic Baby Milestone Chalkboard Photo

Baby milestone boards or chalkboards are a popular way to mark your baby’s growth, and a Christmas twist makes it even more special. With a twist on the classic baby milestone board, where you can record their age, weight, height, and other milestones, you can also add information and photos from Baby’s First Christmas.

Props: Get a large chalkboard with a Christmas design, or add some tiny holiday stickers to your baby milestone chalkboard.
Clothes: Dress your little one in a cozy sweater or an adorable holiday outfit.
Tiny expressions: Pay attention to your baby’s tiny expressions as they look at or make eye contact with you. This is a great chance to catch their expressions and have them interacting with the holiday setup.

11. Pet-Friendly Christmas Photo

Does your family have a pet? Try getting a Christmas-themed photo with your baby and your animal! Pets and babies can be a perfect match for those family portraits when everyone can show off their adorable Christmas outfits and gear.

Baby: Make sure your little one is always safe around the pet, especially if they are too small to hold on to things or have unsteady hands.
Props: Consider a pet-friendly Christmas sweater for your family pet, and make sure they are calm and relaxed before you start taking the pictures.

Keep in mind that being safe and comfortable while taking pictures is more important than getting the best shot.

Final Thoughts

Capturing those special first moments for your newborn baby or little one this holiday season through beautiful family photos can be an endearing way to start.

Baby’s First Christmas is extra-special with family, and these photos can make it that much more memorable.

Whether you opt for something cozy and simple, such as Christmas pajamas or a tiny newborn swaddled in Christmas lights, or you plan a full family holiday photoshoot with your little one, siblings, parents, and extended family, these photos are a great way to commemorate Baby’s First Christmas for years to come.

And if you have any fun first Christmas photoshoot ideas of your own, feel free to share or ask questions in the comments below. Happy holidays, and enjoy creating beautiful, fun family photos this season!

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