Easy Holiday Card Photo Tips

Posted by Charis Elisabeth

If you’ve ever found yourself overwhelmed with 99 unmailed holiday cards sitting on your kitchen counter in mid-January, you’re not alone. Every year, I work with families excited to capture pictures for holiday cards… but often, the follow-through becomes the hardest step. Life moves quickly, especially with little ones. You finally get your photos back, adore every image, and then pause. How do you decide which photos to use? What colors work best? How many cards do we really need?

As a family photographer here in Oklahoma, I’ve learned the holiday card process doesn’t have to be stressful. You don’t have to choose between beautifully authentic photos and actually getting them mailed out on time. With just a little planning and a dash of letting go of perfection, sending your holiday love can become a meaningful part of your season — not just one more thing on the list.

Shift Your Focus: Remember It’s About the Memories, Not the Card

I know—it can be tempting to plan a whole session around the card. Coordinated outfits, perfect weather, a gorgeous location. And while there’s nothing wrong with wanting a cheerful card to share with loved ones, I encourage you to think bigger: let these photos honor your family as you are now.

That may mean your toddler is making a silly face in one photo or your baby was more interested in chewing on your sweater than smiling. But that’s part of the magic. When the session isn’t just for a card, you’re free to enjoy the moment and capture truthful memories. You’ll have images that not only represent this holiday, but this season of life.

Practical Stress-Free Holiday Card Photo Tips

1. Get Your Family Photo Session Done Early

Don’t wait for the last-minute rush. Getting your session done earlier in the fall not only helps with timing for sending out those holiday cards, but it also gives you more options for locations, light, and scheduling ease. And then your photos are back in time for you to not be in a mad dash to order cards.

2. Keep the Layout Simple

If choosing photos for your holiday photo cards feels overwhelming, stick with a simple design or do a collage. Sometimes less is more. This allows the emotion and story in your photos to take the spotlight. And if you need help, I love designing them! A few quick tips:

• One standout image on the front
• Just two or three on the back
• Let the pictures breathe rather than crowding the space

3. Use Tools That Make It Easy

Trying to gather addresses or print cards on your own can eat up time fast. And none of us have time for that so thankfully there are some awesome sites out there that you can use.

• Postable: This site lets friends and family enter their addresses themselves; you design, and they mail the cards directly.
• Order through my gallery store: I offer easy printing options straight from your session gallery, so you don’t have to download or re-upload a thing.
• Print through Lovely Little Cards (my recommended printer outside of my gallery store): They also let you upload your address list and print it directly on the envelopes — just add stamps and go.

Bonus tip: Only order cards for the people you’re actually going to see or connect with this season. Hand delivering adds a sweet, personal touch!

4. Looking to save money or avoid the printing rush?

Have your selections ready in advance, then watch for deals around Black Friday. (Already by end of October, you can catch some great sales!) Ordering before Thanksgiving helps ensure cards are in hand with time to mail without stress. You’ll thank yourself later when your to-do list is a little lighter come December.

5. Add Your Card to a Keepsake Box

This is such a tiny thing that gets overlooked, but it’s one of my favorites: tuck a copy of your holiday card into your children’s keepsake boxes. Someday, that card will be a tangible memory of what they looked like and how they were during this special season. It’s a beautiful way to turn a tradition into a legacy.

Make It About Love, Not Logistics

Holiday cards allow us to press pause for just a moment to say, “This is us. Right now. And we’re thankful.” It’s not about designing the perfect front or sending the most cards. It’s about honoring life as it looks today, whether polished or full of baby drool and toddler mischief.

As someone who has seen countless holiday sessions up close, trust me when I say: the best cards are the ones that make you feel something when you see them again years later. A real smile. A sleepy snuggle. That goofy face of your 6 year old.

Ready to Book Your Oklahoma City Family Photo Session?

If you’re dreaming of relaxed, joy-filled family photos that double as holiday memories, I’d love to photograph your family this season. I offer quick, easy-to-book lifestyle sessions that capture the festive spirit without stress. And with your online gallery, you can create holiday cards directly — no extra steps required. And if nothing else, remember: it’s okay if your card includes a little chaos. That’s real life. It’s your family and it’s beautiful.

If you found this post on Easy Holiday Card Photo Tips for Oklahoma Families helpful, then check out these other helpful posts:

• Pregnancy and Postpartum Resources in OKC
• Family Fun for Christmas in OKC
• Christmas Lights in Oklahoma City

The Blog Post Was Written By

Charis Elisabeth

Charis is an Oklahoma City photographer providing timeless, storytelling family and newborn photography to sentimental families in Edmond, Oklahoma City, Yukon, Midwest City Norman, Moore and the broader Central Oklahoma area. As a certified and award winning photographer, Charis specializes in at-home, documentary photo sessions and is considered one of the premier Oklahoma Newborn Photographers. As a mom of 3, Charis is passionate about connecting with other local moms and ensuring that you have the resources you need to thrive in motherhood.