How to Get Everyone in the Christmas Family Photo (Including You!)

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Scroll back through your phone to last Christmas. How many photos are you actually in?

If you’re the one who always takes the pictures, I’d guess not many. There are plenty of the kids opening presents, the table before everyone digs in, and probably a blurry one of the dog in a Santa hat. But the person who organised the whole day? Usually nowhere to be seen.

This year, let’s change that. You don’t need a fancy camera or a photographer, just a few simple tricks and something to stand your phone on.

Why it’s worth getting in the picture

Our children won’t look back at these photos for the perfectly wrapped presents. They’ll look for the people. One day they’ll want photos of you at Christmas: laughing, in your slightly silly jumper, at the table with everyone. It’s easy to feel self-conscious, but those photos matter far more than whether your hair was done.

What you need

The honest answer is: your phone, plus something to hold it steady and a way to take the picture without running back and forth to press the button.

• A tripod or stand so the phone stays put at the right height and angle (balancing it on a stack of books against the fruit bowl rarely ends well).
• A remote shutter or self-timer so you can be in the shot. Most phones have a 3 or 10 second timer built in, but a Bluetooth remote is much less stressful with wriggly children.
• Decent light, especially on a dark December afternoon when the room is lit mostly by fairy lights.

My tips for a family photo that actually works

1. Pick your spot before anyone is ready

Set up the phone and check the frame while everyone is still getting dressed. Choose a spot with the tree or a window behind you and enough space for everyone to stand or sit without someone ending up half out of shot.

2. Get the camera to eye level

Phones propped on a table point up everyone’s noses. Raise the camera to roughly chest or eye height of the adults and the photo instantly looks better.

3. Use burst mode or take lots

With children, someone will blink, look away or pull a face. Take ten photos rather than one and you’ll find a keeper. Using a remote means you can just keep pressing without breaking the moment.

4. Turn the big light off (mostly)

Overhead lighting is flattering to nobody. Daylight near a window is best, so try for a photo before it gets dark (which in December is about 3.30pm!). After dark, a small soft light pointed towards your faces helps much more than the ceiling light.

5. Do a posed one, then a silly one

Get the “nice” photo for Granny first, then let everyone pull faces, have a pillow fight or pile onto the sofa. The silly ones are often the favourites in years to come.

6. Don’t forget the in-between moments

Leave the phone on the tripod in the corner and grab a few natural shots throughout the day: playing a board game, pulling crackers, the after-dinner slump on the sofa.

Kit I’d recommend from Sirui

If you want to make this easier, Sirui make good-quality tripods and lighting at a range of prices. Here are the bits that make most sense for families.

For phone photos: a selfie stick tripod

The Sirui MS-01K selfie stick tripod is a good all-rounder for families. It works as a selfie stick on days out and opens into a tripod that extends to around 138cm, so you can get the phone up to a sensible height. It comes with a detachable Bluetooth remote that works from about 10 metres away, which means you can stand in the photo and press the button from your pocket.

If you use a proper camera: a travel tripod

If someone in the family has a “proper” camera, the Sirui Traveler X is worth a look. It weighs under a kilo, folds down to about 36cm so it fits in a suitcase or backpack, and still extends to around 1.5 metres. It’s just as handy for holiday photos as it is at Christmas.

For dark winter afternoons: a small LED light

A slim, portable LED panel light gives a soft, even light on faces without needing the harsh ceiling light. Sirui’s lighting range includes compact panel lights that are easy to pop on a shelf or a second stand.

Sirui often has seasonal offers on, so it’s worth checking the current deals before you buy, especially in the run-up to Black Friday.

These also make great Christmas presents

A tripod and remote is a thoughtful, practical gift for the family photographer, a teenager who’s getting into making videos, or grandparents who’d love more photos with the grandchildren in them.

One last thing

This Christmas, hand over the phone, press the remote, and get in the picture. Messy hair, paper hats and all. You’ll be so glad you did.