Christmas Photo Poses: How to Look Natural, Cozy and Confident

Cozy Holiday Photo Poses by the Tree

There are a number of cozy poses that you can do while by a Christmas tree.

Sitting Sideways

As you sit sideways towards the tree, lean into your hands, arch your back, relax your shoulders and soften your jaw. Doing so presents a natural look and is a great option if you’re unsure how to pose.

You don’t have to be 90 degrees with the tree. You can be facing forward a little or even away from the camera instead.

Hug-Your-Knees Pose

The next option is to face the camera and hug your knees lightly. Make sure to not press too hard as a soft grip here feels and looks cozy and feminine.

Ornament Placement Pose

Another nice shot idea features you placing an ornament on a tree, which can be done with you sitting or standing. In either case, you may want to have the Christmas ornament already settled on the decorated Christmas tree, and then hold it for the photo like you’re adjusting it.

Also consider this trick. Keep your elbow down, and push your wrist slightly forward. Doing these two things will elongate your arm and help you avoid making the “chicken wing” mistake.

Over-the-Shoulder Look

You can incorporate an over-the-shoulder look for any of these Christmas photo ideas, which can really enhance them. Examples include doing so towards or away from the camera during the sitting sideways pose and if you’re looking back at someone, either in-frame or out-of-frame/imaginary while in the ornament placement pose.

When you do this move, keep something important in mind. Move your chin forward, and then tilt it down. This will elongate your neck and look great.

On-Your-Stomach Pose

This is one of my personal favorites. If you want to take advantage of an on-your-stomach pose yourself, I recommend that you cross your ankles in the air. Doing that will make you feel cute and flattering, and the photos that result from this holiday shoot will look that way too.

Note that your feet don’t necessarily need to be right next to each other when you do this.

Glam Christmas Photo Poses for an Elegant Look

Perhaps you want to take some glam Christmas portraits. I’ll help you do that too.

The S-Curve Pose

First, let’s focus on the S-curve. To do this, stand with your legs apart, shift your weight to one hip – either is fine – and bend the knee slightly on the other side. Doing this will create an S-curve with your body.

Also make sure to bring your chin forward and then down while adding a soft smile. You could put your hands on your waist or cross your arms while in this pose. Just make sure to relax your shoulders.

Do these things, and you’ll have an instant holiday beauty shot.

Posing With a Gift Box

If you want to pose with a gift box, the most important thing to keep in mind is what the shot’s focus is. Unless you intend the gift to be that focus, make sure that it doesn’t block your torso or chin and that you will be the main subject instead. To do this, hold the box to the side, low or tilted forward. As you do this, allow your elbows to relax.

You can even be playful at this time, such as with a look on your face that indicates that you’re really curious about what’s in that box.

Editorial Holiday Pose

To create a vibe like you’re on the red carpet, you can turn so that your back is to the camera and create an S-curve while looking over your shoulder. As you do this, lift your chin a little so that your neck is elongated and let your hair fall naturally.

We’ll discuss movements more later, but I’ll say now that if your photographer catches you right when you’re turning your head over your shoulder with your hair flying, that can be a killer shot.

Common Christmas Photo Posing Mistakes And How to Fix Them

Now, let’s focus on some common Christmas photo posing mistakes and how you can fix and avoid them.

Shoulders Pushed Up

It can be so easy to have your shoulders pushed up, but doing that makes you look tense, and you probably feel tense too. Drop your shoulders, and exhale while you do so to enhance this softening of the vibe.

Standing Straight Facing the Camera

Avoid simply standing straight facing the camera. When you do this, your body looks like it has no dimensions, and the images are often washed out too. To add shape to these Christmas photos, turn 45 degrees.

Smiling Too Hard

Avoid smiling too hard as forcing a smile often results in your eyes disappearing. One trick to fix this is to do a small exhale. This will relax your face instantly, and you can then give off a natural warm smile, maybe even a laugh too, with your eyes lighting up as well.

Hands Look Stiff

Stiff hands can ruin the cozy vibe that you’re intending to create for your Christmas photos. To loosen them, bend your wrists a little and soften your fingers. Shaking out your arms and hands can really help.

Overposing

Avoid trying too much; avoid overposing. When you do that, the photo feels fake. Instead, do simple, soft movements, and your photographs will come out much warmer.

Holiday Photo Poses With Props That Look Natural

A great way to add some fun into your Christmas photos is to use props.

Cozy Mug Pose

Holding a mug can take you instantly into that cozy feel that you’re looking to create and do so naturally. Then, bring it to your lips, and smile with your eyes. You may want to slightly hide part of your face with the mug as you do this.

This type of Christmas photo is warm and intimate. You could also add a related prop, like a cookie, to your cozy mug pose.

Christmas Lights in Hands

Another heartwarming holiday photo idea is to hold Christmas lights in your hands close to the lens. Just make sure to keep your fingers soft as stiff hands can ruin this shot.

Ornament Peek Pose

The ornament peek pose is a great option for combining glam with cozy and fun with cute.To do this, hold an ornament near your cheek and playfully look towards the camera.

This pose can work really well in close-up portraits.

Wreath Frame Pose

You could hold a wreath as if it were a frame and have the photo be taken with you looking through it. Just make sure to lean forward slightly so that your face remains sharp, and this could be a stunning holiday portrait.

Movement Poses That Make Christmas Photos Feel Effortless

One way to create more of an editorial vibe with these Christmas photos is adding movement to your poses.

Twirl Your Hair

Twirling or brushing your hair softly will cause your pose to look natural and effortless.

Feature a Scarf

Pull a scarf just slightly forward while you look off-camera in order to create a more candid, warm vibe.

Walk Towards the Camera

To take a very glam shot during this Christmas season, walk towards the camera, taking slow steps. Keep your torso straight, bring your shoulders down, look forward, and have one of your feet go slightly higher than the other as you walk. Doing these things will create beautiful motion for this Christmas scene.

You can also walk away from the camera, looking back over your shoulder. Another option is stopping and turning around, especially if you have a flowing dress as it and your hair will then fly.

Laugh and Turn

As these photos are being taken, remember to have fun. One pose that will allow you to do just that is the laugh and turn. To do this, turn your upper body halfway from the camera, and look back while laughing. This is a great way to have a candid shot that also looks so beautiful.

Snow or Confetti Throw

If you have access to real or fake snow, you can do the snow throw pose. If not or you don’t want to use snow, confetti will work just as well.

In either case, toss it slightly above your head as you lean in towards the camera. These shots will show a playful side of your personality this holiday season while this type of pose can also set up some amazing glam shots.

Opening Presents

Show your excitement and anticipation as you dive into your presents. This kind of shot can be messy with ripped wrapping paper flying, or it can be more organized, whichever you prefer.

Making Christmas Cookies

You could also have some movement shots taken of you making Christmas cookies or other baked goods. Of course, the treats could be already prepared prior to your Christmas photo session and presented like you’re making them during the shoot, or you could be actually cooking at the time.

Themed Poses That Bring Christmas to Life

You can always recreate movie scenes and other famous Christmas moments as you get these classic Christmas photos done.

Common options include “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “A Christmas Story,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” and “Home Alone.” You could even use an adorable tiny Christmas tree as a prop similar to the one that’s featured in “A Charlie Brown Christmas” as you bring that holiday magic into the scene.

Christmas Couple Photo Poses That Don’t Feel Awkward

Another option that’s very popular during the Christmas season is couple photography poses.

Hug From Behind

One of you can hug the other from behind with your heads close together and your arms kept natural.

Forehead Touch Pose

To create a super romantic scene, close your eyes and touch your foreheads softly.

Holding Hands Walk

A very cozy option is to hold hands and walk towards the camera but while looking at each other, not at the camera. Also consider walking on a path that’s at an angle to the camera, not directly at it. These types of photos will create relaxed, cinematic Christmas vibes.

Shared Mug Moment

For a cute, warm, perfect-for-holiday-cards image, hold a mug together and lean in.

Draped in Christmas Lights

One idea would be to drape you two in Christmas string lights. This can be done in a romantic way, in a funny manner or both.

Back to Camera

A pose that can give that unforgettable lost-in-the-experience feel is having your backs to the camera. It’s like we’re being invited into a sweet, tender moment.

What to Wear for Christmas Photos Quick Outfit Ideas

But what should you wear for your holiday photo shoot? Here are some quick Christmas outfit ideas that always work:

•  Cozy sweater or oversized knit
•  Satin red dress
•  Christmas pajamas, potentially matching pajamas
•  White or cream monochrome look
•  Metallic gold or silver accents
•  Shimmer dress

In any case, keep your textures soft. They photograph beautifully.

Your Complete Christmas Posing Guide

And there’s a complete Christmas posing guide with easy poses that you can copy, other tips to consider and mistakes that you should avoid. What are your favorite poses? Which ones have you tried yourself as you got into the Christmas spirit? Tag me in your holiday photos. I love sharing my favorites.

Happy holidays.