11 Best Locations for Beautiful Family Holiday Photos

Holiday photos are one of my favorite ways to capture memories, especially in the case of family trips.

Mountain landscapes with snow are inviting and cozy interiors where iconic information is captured, goes to help amplify the pictures with its own aesthetics.

I’ve been fortunate enough to visit all kinds of destinations with my family, and certain places have an inherent way of evoking the holiday spirit and supplying the ideal photo backdrop.

That’s why I’ve compiled this list of my favorite places to do family holiday photos that will leave you with memories to cherish in your images.

In here, you’ll find some old favorites, a few surprising locations and lots of ideas to make each one your own.

Whether you’re after a cozy vibe or a winter wonderland, each of these places has something to offer everyone.

Let’s dive in and find your perfect holiday photo location!

1. The Christmas Tree Farm

Christmas tree farms are loaded with holiday cheer, which makes them great photo backdrops for families.

The rows of evergreen trees make for a natural, festive backdrop, and the whole family will look right at home among them.

Use props here to play up some holiday charm, like a plaid blanket, or a small sled.

I once did family photos at a local tree farm, and the simple green backdrop made the pictures look clean and classic, with each person’s smile really popping.

Tree farms encapsulate that classic holiday spirit and bring a rustic, outdoor feel to your pictures.

2. A Snowy Mountain Landscape

There’s nothing more winter wonderland than a snowy mountain scene.

If you’re near the mountains, take your family out and photograph them with the snow-capped mountains and forested slopes in the background.

Wear bright warm clothes that pop in contrast against the white snow to give the photos some much-needed depth and personality.

I took a group photo of the family standing together with the breathtaking mountain peaks in the background one year during our trip to a mountain cabin.

That photo stands among my all-time favorites for its combination of awe and intimacy.

Snow-draped mountains take photos to a grand, almost cinematic level, which is ideally suited for family memories of the holidays.

3. Your Own Living Room

The best holiday photos are sometimes taken even when you’re in the comfort of your own home — and especially if you’ve decked out your living room for the holidays.

From twinkling lights on the tree to stockings hung by the fireplace, nothing beats the warmth of a decorated living room that adds a cozy touch to your home and feels very homely and personal.

For one photo we had the whole family in their holiday pajamas, gathered around the tree, and what was more relaxed and natural than that?

The familiar setting elicits honest smiles and each person’s personality shines through the comfort of home.

And it’s a good way to save all the time and effort you put into decorating!

4. The Ice Skating Rink

Ice skating rinks make a fun, dynamic background for family holiday photos.

Get your family gliding around, giggling, even wobbling as they struggle to stay upright.

The ice and the fact that everyone is bundled up in scarves and gloves lend the photos a wintery, playful feel.

We had a photo from a holiday skating trip where we took turns holding onto each other whilst gliding across the ice.

It’s a lovely reminder of how much fun we had together.

They capture the holiday spirit in a fun, active way that invokes everyone’s playfulness.

5. A Rustic Barn

For a more rustic holiday atmosphere, a barn or farmhouse makes an incredible venue.

A number of barns are decorated for the holidays, and the wood textures and open spaces lend the place a warm, nostalgic feel.

Bonus if you happen upon a barn that has a wreath or some fall foliage!

One year, we did holiday photos at a friend’s barn, and the rustic background added an extra charm and warmth to the photos that just felt like the season.

Barns have a perennial quality and lend holiday photos a specially rustic, homey quality.

6. The Local Christmas Market

Getting another photo in front of a beautiful Christmas market is crammed full of holiday cheer and serves as a beautiful background for pictures with the family.

Photograph your family walking through the market, browsing the stalls, or nibbling on seasonal delicacies like hot cocoa or roasted chestnuts.

The strung lights, seasonal decorations and festive crowds all produce a charged, holiday atmosphere.

In the past, I shot at a Christmas market, the warm lights and festive stalls infusing the images with life.

The colors and bustle of the market make for a bright and lively holiday atmosphere that makes photos feel alive.

7. By a Historic Church or Cathedral

Historic churches or cathedrals often have beautiful holiday decorations, making a stunning backdrop for family photos.

The large spaces, especially with holiday decor, create a dramatic, elegant setting.

If the bride and groom have access, step outside in front of the grand doors, or take your family around a beautifully decorated altar or stained-glass window.

Once, we took family photos near a small, historic chapel decorated with wreaths and lights, and — the setting was so timeless that even if we had replaced our smiles with grumpy frowns, the photos would have looked out of time.

These spots lend a sense of heritage and elegance, ideal for old-school holiday portraits.

8. At a Ski Lodge

Ski lodges have a rustic, cozy vibe that makes great holiday photos.

Photograph your family huddled around a roaring fire (after a long day on the slopes), or posing in ski outfits with snow-capped slopes as a backdrop.

One of my favorite holiday photos shows my family sitting outside a ski lodge, hot chocolate in hand, taking in the snowy scene.

The lodges provide a perfect mix of winter bliss and adventure to capture that holiday spirit.

9. Neighborhood Light Displays

If your neighborhood goes all out with holiday lights, this can be a lovely and simple place to snap family pictures.

Take shots of your family gazing at the lights or in front of a particularly bright, festive house.

Daytime shots can be great, but nighttime shots using the light surrounding can add magical touch.

Once, we posed for a family photo in front of a house that had an elaborate light setup; it added to the shot a fun, festive air that’s impossible to capture in daylight.

Light displays highlight the whimsical side of the holidays, so the photos seem dreamy and festive.

10. A Snow-Covered Forest

For a serene and natural setting, a snow-capped forest is a gorgeous backdrop for holiday photos.

The snow-dusted trees present a serene, wintry scene that could have leapt from the pages of a holiday storybook.

Dress warmly and take a stroll in a wooded trail, posing for photographs along the way.

I remember going on a family walk in a snowy forest, and the pictures we took, in the moment, were so peaceful and beautiful — it looked like a winter wonderland.

A snowy woods provide a peaceful and tranquil holiday landscape — perfect to showcase the beauty of the season.

11. On a Scenic Bridge

A picturesque bridge — especially one strung with holiday lights, or surrounded by nature — can be a lovely setting for family photos.

Be it a cozy wooden bridge in a snowy park or a bigger bridge with the city skyline view, bridges add a feeling of connectivity and charm.

One holiday season, we snapped family photos on a bridge overlooking a snowy valley and the openness and beauty was breathtaking.

Bridges offer an elevated view and elegance, making holiday photos effortlessly gorgeous.