Holiday cards are one of my favorite reasons to update family photos. They give you an excuse to slow down, get everyone together, and capture what your family looks like in this season of life — while also giving you photos you'll actually want to keep long after the holidays are over.
And in Maine, you definitely don't have to wait for snow to get beautiful holiday card photos. Fall foliage, the coast, pine trees, open fields, and even those quieter late-fall landscapes can all make the perfect backdrop.
If you're thinking about using professional photos for your holiday cards this year, here's everything you need to know about when to book, what to wear, and how to make your session feel as relaxed as possible.
When Should You Take Your Holiday Card Photos?
Earlier than you might think!
September and October are great months for holiday card photos in Maine. The weather is usually more comfortable, you can take advantage of Maine's beautiful fall colors, and you'll have plenty of time to choose your photos and order your cards before December.
If you want something that feels a little more wintery, November can also be beautiful. The leaves may be gone, but evergreens, the rocky Maine coast, cozy layers, and softer late-fall colors can create a completely different look.
I recommend trying to have your photos taken by **early to mid-November** if you know you want to send out holiday cards. That gives you some breathing room instead of trying to get everything done during an already busy December.
You Don't Need a "Christmas" Location
Your holiday card photos don't necessarily need Christmas trees, snow, or holiday decorations.
Some of my favorite holiday card photos are simply beautiful family photos taken somewhere meaningful. In Maine, that could mean the coast, a quiet field, the woods, a favorite trail, or somewhere around Mount Desert Island and Acadia.
Choosing a location that feels like your family will also give you photos you can hang in your home year-round rather than ones that only feel relevant during December.
What Should You Wear?
The biggest thing: **coordinate, don't match.**
You don't need everyone in identical sweaters or the exact same colors. Instead, choose a few colors that work well together and build everyone's outfits around them.
For fall and holiday photos in Maine, I love warm neutrals and earthy tones — cream, brown, tan, deep green, burgundy, navy, rust, and muted reds all photograph beautifully.
Layers and textures can also add a lot to your photos. Think sweaters, jackets, scarves, boots, denim, corduroy, and knits. They're especially perfect for that cozy Maine fall and winter feel.
Most importantly, make sure everyone is comfortable. If you're constantly adjusting an outfit or your kids hate what they're wearing, it's going to be much harder to relax and enjoy the session.
Bring the Dog!
If your dog is part of your family, they can absolutely be part of your holiday photos too.
Bringing a few treats and their favorite toy can help get their attention when we need it. A simple or neutral leash also photographs well and won't distract from the rest of the image.
And don't worry about your dog behaving perfectly. Some of the best photos happen in between the perfectly posed moments anyway.
Don't Stress About Everyone Looking Perfect
Especially if you have little kids, your session doesn't need to be an hour of everyone standing still and smiling directly at the camera.
We'll get those classic photos that are perfect for the front of a holiday card, but we'll also let things happen naturally. Walking together, playing with the kids, picking them up, laughing, cuddling, and interacting usually creates the photos that end up meaning the most.
You don't need to know how to pose or worry about what to do with your hands — that's my job!
Make It About More Than the Holiday Card
The holiday card might be the reason you finally book the session, but these photos can be so much more than that.
They're photos of your family exactly as you are right now. Kids grow, families change, and years from now, the pictures you took for a Christmas card might end up being some of your favorites.
So yes, use them for your holiday cards — but print a few, frame them, give them to grandparents, and keep them for yourself too.
Ready to Plan Your Maine Holiday Photos?
If you're thinking about sending holiday cards this year, fall is the perfect time to get your family photos done.
I'm currently booking **fall and holiday family sessions in Maine**, including Mount Desert Island, Acadia, and surrounding areas. Whether you want colorful fall foliage, the Maine coast, or something cozy and simple, we can choose a location and session that feels like your family.
Reach out to book your Maine holiday card photos, and let's capture something you'll be excited to send out this holiday season — and keep long after it's over.