There’s something absolutely magical about Christmas lights twinkling in the background of holiday photos. Those soft, glowing bokeh effects that make everything look dreamy and festive? They’re not as complicated to create as you might think.

As a professional photographer, I get asked all the time about tips for photographing christmas lights – especially by parents who want to capture beautiful holiday moments at home without hiring a photographer. The good news? With a few simple techniques, you can create stunning DIY holiday photos right in your own living room.

Let me share my favorite holiday photos tips that will transform your Christmas pictures from snapshots into frame-worthy memories.

Understanding Your Camera Settings for Christmas Lights

Before we dive into specific tips for photographing christmas lights, let’s talk about the technical side for just a moment. I promise to keep this simple!

The key to getting those gorgeous, glowing lights in your photos is using the right camera settings. Whether you’re using a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or even your smartphone, understanding a few basics will make a huge difference.

For DSLR/Mirrorless cameras:

• Use a wide aperture (low f-number like f/2.8 or lower)
• Increase your ISO to 800-1600 depending on available light
• Slow down your shutter speed, but not so slow that you get motion blur
• Shoot in manual mode for the most control

For smartphones:

• Use portrait mode if available
• Tap on your subject’s face to set focus and exposure
• Try using the night mode feature
• Keep your hands steady or use a tripod

The Magic of Background Christmas Lights

Here’s one of my favorite tips for photographing christmas lights: place your subject several feet away from the lights, not right in front of them. This is the secret to getting that beautiful bokeh effect where the lights turn into soft, glowing orbs.

When your subject is too close to the lights, they’ll appear as sharp points of light rather than that dreamy blur we’re after. Position your family member about 6-10 feet away from your Christmas tree or string lights, then focus on their face. The lights in the background will naturally blur into gorgeous, colorful circles.

Pro tip: The wider your aperture (lower f-number), the more blur you’ll get. If you’re using a smartphone, portrait mode tries to replicate this effect automatically.

Lighting Your Subject While Capturing the Lights

One of the biggest challenges when taking better holiday photos with Christmas lights is balancing the light on your subject’s face with the glow of the lights behind them.

Christmas lights alone usually aren’t bright enough to properly light your subject’s face. Here are some solutions:

Use window light: Position your subject near a window during daytime for beautiful natural light on their faces while the Christmas lights add magic in the background.

Add a lamp: Place a table lamp (without the shade) to the side of your subject for soft, flattering light. This gives you that professional-looking glow without harsh shadows.

Golden hour magic: If your Christmas tree is near a window, that soft late-afternoon light combined with twinkling lights creates pure magic.

The goal is to have your subject’s face well-lit while still keeping those Christmas lights visible and glowing in the background.

What to Wear for Holiday Photos

When planning your DIY holiday photos, what to wear for holiday photos matters more than you might think – especially when photographing with Christmas lights.

Solid colors work beautifully with twinkling lights in the background. Think:

• Classic reds, greens, and whites
• Soft creams and neutrals
• Deep jewel tones like burgundy or emerald

Avoid busy patterns that compete with the lights for attention. You want the focus on faces and that gorgeous glowing background, not a distracting shirt pattern.

Texture is your friend: Cozy sweaters, velvet, and knit fabrics photograph beautifully and add to that warm, festive feeling.

Timing Your Photo Session

Here’s a Christmas photo tip that makes a huge difference: timing matters!

The best time for tips for photographing christmas lights at home is when you have soft, even light coming through the window near your tree. You want that beautiful natural light without harsh shadows – the kind of gentle glow you get on overcast days or when the sun isn’t directly streaming through your windows.

This sweet spot usually happens:

• On cloudy days (perfect diffused light!)
• In the morning before the sun gets too high and harsh
• In the late afternoon when the light is softer
• When your tree is near a north-facing window (naturally softer light all day)

Watch for those harsh shadows across faces – that’s your sign the light is too direct. When you see soft, even light with no dramatic shadows, that’s your moment! Your Christmas lights will still glow beautifully against this gentle window light, and faces will be perfectly lit without any unflattering shadows.

Creating Variety in Your Holiday Photos

Don’t just take one photo and call it done! Use these holiday photos tips to create variety:

Get close: Capture intimate moments – a child’s face lit by the glow of the tree, hands holding ornaments, siblings whispering together.

Pull back: Show the whole scene – family gathered around the tree, the decorated room with everyone in their cozy spots.

Change perspectives: Get down on the floor for a child’s-eye view, or stand on furniture for an overhead shot of everyone looking up.

Include the details: Photograph the stockings, the cookies for Santa, tiny hands reaching for ornaments. These detail shots become precious memories.

Working with Kids During Holiday Photo Sessions

Let’s be real – getting kids to cooperate for photos during the excitement of Christmas can feel impossible. Here are some christmas photo tips specifically for little ones:

Make it fun: Turn it into a game. “Can you show me your silliest Christmas face?” or “Let’s see who can make the funniest pose!”

Keep it short: Plan for 10-15 minutes max. Set up everything beforehand so you’re ready to go when the kids are.

Time it right: Schedule your photo session when kids are fed, rested, and in good moods. Avoid right before naptime or mealtime.

Let them move: Some of the best photos happen when kids are naturally playing, laughing, or interacting with each other rather than posing stiffly.

Bribe shamelessly: I’m not above using candy or promising hot chocolate afterward. Whatever works!

The Smartphone Photography Advantage

You don’t need fancy equipment to implement these tips for photographing christmas lights. Modern smartphones are incredibly capable!

Portrait mode is your best friend for creating that blurred background effect with Christmas lights. It uses software to simulate the depth of field you’d get with a professional camera.

Night mode helps in low light situations, though be careful – sometimes it can make your Christmas lights look less magical by brightening everything too much.

Burst mode is perfect for capturing kids in action. Hold down the shutter button to take multiple shots quickly, then choose the best one later.

Props and Styling for Better Holiday Photos

Small touches can elevate your DIY holiday photos from good to gorgeous:

• Mugs of hot chocolate (even if they’re empty!)
• Wrapped presents scattered naturally
• Cozy blankets for snuggling
• Favorite holiday books or toys
• String lights beyond just the tree – draped on mantels, wrapped in jars

The key is making everything look natural and lived-in, not overly staged. You want your photos to feel like authentic moments, not forced poses.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When learning tips for photographing christmas lights, watch out for these common pitfalls:

Using flash: Flash will overpower your Christmas lights and wash out that magical glow. Turn it off and use the ambient light instead.

Standing too close: Remember, distance between your subject and the lights creates that beautiful bokeh effect.

Forgetting about backgrounds: Make sure there aren’t distracting elements behind your subject. A little tidying goes a long way!

Over-editing: Those Christmas lights are already magical – you don’t need to crank up the saturation or add filters. Keep edits minimal and natural.

Making It Happen This Holiday Season

The most important tip I can give you about DIY holiday photos? Just start taking pictures. Don’t wait for the perfect moment when everyone’s dressed nicely and the house is spotless. Some of the most treasured photos are the messy, real moments – kids in pajamas, wrapping paper everywhere, genuine laughter.

These tips for photographing christmas lights will help you create beautiful images, but the magic really comes from capturing your family being together during this special season. The twinkling lights are just the gorgeous backdrop to the memories you’re preserving.

So grab your camera or phone, gather your family around those Christmas lights, and start creating magic. Years from now, you’ll be so glad you did.

Ready to create your own magical holiday photos? Start with these techniques tonight and see how a few simple adjustments can transform your Christmas pictures. And if you’d love professional holiday photos but want some practice first, these tips will prepare you for exactly what to expect in a studio session too!