When my son Crewe was a baby, I was working full-time as a photo editor and retoucher. Photography was my passion, but at that point, it was just a hobby – a way to capture the precious moments of my baby’s life. As the holiday season approached, however, I found myself with two goals: to create special holiday photos of Crewe and to design a meaningful photo gift for his grandparents. (want to learn to edit your photos using just your iphone? be sure to check out our DIY editing class!)
A DIY Cookbook
It all started with a cookbook. I wanted to create a unique gift for our family, combining our cherished recipes with photos of Crewe. But not just any photos – I envisioned themed shots that would bring a smile to everyone’s face and make the cookbook extra special. Little did I know, this DIY approach to holiday photos would become a cherished tradition for our family.
To bring this vision to life, I hit the local consignment stores. I was on a mission to find Halloween costumes that could tell our culinary story. The result? A lobster for seafood, a chicken for poultry, a cow for beef, a turkey for, well, turkey, and a pig for pork. For a dash of humor, I even found a little devil costume for the dessert section!
As I was picking up these culinary-themed outfits, a Santa costume caught my eye. For just $20, it seemed like a steal, so I added it to my pile. Little did I know, this impulse buy would become the star of our holiday photos for years to come.
Over several weeks, I captured moments of Crewe in these costumes. I’d put him in a costume and grab my camera before bed, letting him run off some steam and play without feeling like he was forced into a photoshoot. The fall weather provided a perfect backdrop, and I worked in short bursts when he was happy and cooperative. The turkey costume made a comeback for Thanksgiving, starring in our family’s holiday greeting.
From Cookbook to Holiday Magic
When Christmas arrived, that Santa costume transformed Crewe into the most adorable St. Nick. The photos were so cute that they became the centerpiece of our holiday cards and gifts for the grandparents. We even turned one of the Santa photos into an ornament that goes on our tree each year. Hanging it up always brings me joy as I remember that magical first Christmas with Crewe.
What started as a simple idea for a cookbook had blossomed into a creative way to make our holiday photos feel extra special. The magic didn’t stop with Crewe, though. That $20 Santa suit became a staple in our holiday photo sessions. As our family grew, we used it for photos with our other sons, and even friends asked to borrow it for their kids’ holiday pictures.
Year after year, the little red suit made an appearance, creating cherished memories for not just our family, but for many others in our community. We finally retired the costume just three years ago, but not before it had served in creating nine years’ worth of adorable holiday photos for countless children.
This experience taught me that with a little creativity, you can create stunning DIY photo setups that rival professional shots. Remember, the goal isn’t perfection – it’s capturing the joy and wonder of the season through your child’s eyes. Don’t be afraid to get creative and think outside the box. That star tree-topper could become a magical wand, or you could create an enchanting glow with fairy lights.
Tips for Magical DIY Holiday Photos
Ready to create your own DIY holiday photos? Here are some actionable tips to help you capture the magic of the season without breaking the bank:
Thrift Store Treasure Hunt: The key to budget-friendly DIY holiday photos is finding unique props at low prices. Don’t limit yourself to seasonal stores for holiday props. Consignment shops and thrift stores often have unique finds at a fraction of the cost. Our $20 Santa suit is proof that a small investment can yield years of joy. Check kids consignment stores and the dollar store around Halloween!
Post-Halloween Costume Bonanza: Plan ahead for your DIY holiday photos by taking advantage of post-Halloween sales. The first of November, many stores offer steep discounts on costumes. This is a perfect time to stock up on outfits that can be repurposed for holiday photos.
Borrow from friends: The cow costume I used was curtesy of a friend whose son was a cow that same Halloween. She wasn’t planning to use it again so she gladly gave it to me for free!
Theme It Up: Choose a theme for your holiday photos. It could be based on your family’s interests, traditions, or even a favorite story. For us, it started with a cookbook and expanded to yearly Santa photos.
Lighting is Key: Natural light is your best friend for DIY photo shoots. Plan your sessions during the “golden hour” – shortly after sunrise or before sunset – for warm, flattering light. If you’re shooting indoors, set up near a large window. If the sunlight is too hard add a soft white curtain to diffuse the harsh light.
Keep It Short and Sweet: Babies and young children have short attention spans. Plan for multiple short sessions rather than one long one. This keeps the experience enjoyable for everyone and increases your chances of capturing those perfect moments.
Create a Magical Glow: Use battery-operated fairy lights from the dollar store to add a touch of magic to your photos. Safely tape a string of these lights around your phone’s camera lens or place them in the background of your shot. This creates a soft, twinkling effect that can transform an ordinary photo into something truly special. Always supervise closely when using any props with young children and ensure the lights don’t get too warm.
Think Beyond the Photo: Consider how you can use your photos in creative ways. Whether it’s a personalized cookbook, custom holiday cards, or a photo calendar for grandparents, think about how to make your images into cherished gifts.
By repurposing Halloween costumes and thinking creatively, you can create a collection of holiday memories without breaking the bank. This season, let your imagination guide you. Your DIY holiday photo session might just become your family’s new favorite tradition.
P.s. Curious about how to make your own cookbook? I made mine with mixbooks! You can see the whole layout here
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