Christmas Aesthetic Photoshoot: Ideas for Solo Creators

Self portrait of me taken on my iPhone 17 Pro

Planning a Christmas aesthetic photoshoot but feeling stuck for ideas? There’s nothing quite like this time of year for cosy, fairy-lit shots that make your feed feel magical. But usually when you search for Christmas photos, most of what comes up involves big family gatherings or children in matching pyjamas. Cute, but not exactly helpful when you’re trying to plan your own solo christmas photoshoot for insta!

The good news? You don’t need a photographer, a partner, or a Pinterest-perfect family to create stunning content. After years of shooting my own DIY cosy christmas photos around London and the UK – from bustling markets to fairy-lit cafes – I’ve learned easy ways to snap gorgeous christmas pictures quickly – and on my own!

This guide is your inspiration look-book for influencers, solo creators, and small business owners who want scroll-stopping photos for instagram, blogs and socials. Whether you’re after inspo for creative christmas photoshoots indoors with twinkling lights or outdoor scenes at winter markets, it’s packed with lots of tips and ideas to inspire you.

Let’s turn your December photoshoot into content that stops the scroll – even if you’re dodging tourists and battling the rainy British weather!

Christmas Aesthetic Photoshoot: Cosy Indoor Ideas

When the weather’s miserable or you’re short on daylight, indoor shots are your secret weapon for nailing that cosy Christmas aesthetic. They’re often easier to control than outdoor locations – and just as scroll-stopping. The key is finding spots that already have festive atmosphere or bringing your own props to transform a neutral space..

With Presents In Front of Your Christmas Tree

Your living room might seem obvious, but it’s a cozyChristmas photoshoot classic for good reason. Position yourself close enough that the tree fills the background, and use Portrait mode if you’re on your phone to get that blurred bokeh effect with the lights. Try relaxed Christmas poses like sitting cross-legged with a gift or laughing while unwrapping – these feel more natural than stiff standing shots.

Wear something that complements your colour palette – emerald green looks stunning against traditional red and gold decorations, while all-white creates more minimalist aesthetic christmas photos. Pyjamas look super cute like you’ve just woken up on Christmas morning. This setup works perfectly for a solo christmas photoshoot since you can use a tripod and self-timer.

Decorating Your Tree

Capture the magic of decorating with action shots that feel candid and natural. Reach up to hang an ornament while looking at the tree rather than the camera – it creates a relaxed christmas portrait that works beautifully for a solo christmas photoshoot. Use a tall extendable tripod with a self-timer and take multiple shots to catch the perfect moment.

Holding Festive Props

Props like gingerbread cookies, baubles or ornaments give your hands something to do and add interest to your poses. Try holding a handful of gold baubles up towards the camera for a playful aesthetic christmas photo, or a single iced biscuit for something more delicate. These small details will elevate your christmas pics without much effort.

Scattered Baubles on the Floor

Add extra festive texture by scattering baubles around you on the floor or a cosy rug. This works especially well for sitting poses and creates depth in your shot. Mix metallics like gold and silver for a glamorous look, or stick to one colour for a more cohesive aesthetic.

The Cosy Morning Setup

Style a simple scene in your living room: you in cute Christmas pyjamas or comfortable sweaters, a mug of something festive, maybe some Christmas presents arranged casually nearby. This works brilliantly for lifestyle creators and feels authentic rather than overly produced. Add a throw blanket, some fairy lights in the background, and shoot from slightly above for a flattering angle. It’s a great way to show your personality while keeping things festive.

Using Bokeh for Dreamy Backgrounds

That beautiful blurred fairy light effect (bokeh) is a christmas instagram essential. Position yourself a few feet in front of your tree and use Portrait mode or a wide aperture. The lights become soft glowing orbs behind you, giving your photos that cozy christmas photoshoot look instantly.

Outdoor Christmas Content Ideas

Outdoor Christmas content has an energy that’s hard to replicate indoors – the movement, the atmosphere, the way winter light hits festive decorations. Yes, it’s colder and requires more planning (and hopefully you won’t have to dodge the rain like I have many a time!), but the results are worth layering up for.

Self portrait of me taken on my iPhone 17 Pro

Decorated Doorways and Archways

If you’re visiting Christmas markets or festive venues, keep an eye out for decorated doorways, arches, or entrances. These frame you naturally in the shot and often have beautiful garlands, ribbons, or lights. Stand in the doorway, lean against the frame, or capture yourself walking through. It adds depth to your photos and makes use of existing decorations without any effort on your part.

Self portrait of me taken on my iPhone 17 Pro

Christmas Markets at Blue Hour

One of my favourite ideas for Christmas photos is to take photos during “blue hour”. This is hands down one of the best ways to capture a Christmas atmosphere. Blue hour is that magical window just after sunset when the sky turns deep blue – and it makes Christmas market shots look incredible.

The contrast between the warm market lights and the deep blue evening sky creates an ambiance you simply can’t get during the day or even later at night when the sky is black.

Visit markets like Winter Wonderland in London (or similar versions in most cities), set your phone to Portrait mode to blur the people in the background, and focus on yourself with the stalls and twinkly lights behind you.

Wear something that brings the Christmas vibes: red coat, white faux fur, deep greens or even go rogue with a cute festive pink outfit if that’s more your style. 

Your tripod may usually be your best friend for solo shoots, but a quick side issue to note; a lot of the bigger markets will not allow you to bring in selfie sticks or professional camera equipment (they search your bag on the way in) – so be aware of this if you were planning on shooting your own pictures or getting a friend with a DSLR camera to take your pics. It would be very sad to get turned away! Best solution is to bring a friend and get them to just use your mobile phone. 

Something to be aware of: some of the bigger Christmas markets won’t let you bring in your own food and drinks in to their venue. A shame as it can be quite a money saver to stock up on candy canes and lollipops beforehand but of course they want you to spend money inside. So do check before making your plans.

Ice Skating Rinks

Ice skating rinks are festive, photogenic and give you natural movement for eye catching shots – if you’re able to stand up long enough!

When I was skating in London I was very aware about holding up people behind me – and it’s hard enough standing upright, then posing AND smiling like you mean it, without also making sure no one skates into your legs knocking you flat like Bambi!

Saying that, you don’t have to be brilliant at skating – even just sitting with a coffee with the ice rink behind you still works very well! Most rinks have beautiful lighting and Christmas decorations around them.

Somerset House and the Natural History Museum rinks in London are particularly stunning. It’s worth looking up photogenic ice rinks near you on instagram and finding one with natural light. The background of the ice rink will make a huge difference to how nice your photos turn out and if you’re in a marquee rather than outside, the light won’t look as natural and festive. 

The best times to shoot are during quieter morning sessions when the rink first opens, so you’ll get fewer people in the background.

Wear something practical but stylish: a furry festive coat, warm bobble hat, and gloves. Keep your phone in a secure pocket and ask someone nearby to grab a few shots, or use a tripod at the edge if the rink allows it.

Self portrait of me taken on my iPhone 17 Pro

Festive Shop Windows and Decorated Streets

Taking photos as you walk past illuminated Christmas windows is an easy but creative way to capture movement and atmosphere for your Christmas photo shoot.

In London, Fortnum & Mason, Liberty, and Harrods all create show-stopping displays, but wherever you may be a wander around your local high street will usually come up with all sorts of beautiful decorated shop fronts worth using.

Time these shots for early evening when the windows are lit but there’s still some natural light. This gives a festive atmosphere with the warm twinkly lights but enough natural light to still make your photos nice and sharp. 

Wear textured winter layers – bundle up in cosy scarves, knits and faux fur – so the photos convey how cold it is. That context makes the festive warmth of the lights feel more intentional.

Self portrait of me taken on my iPhone 17 Pro

Festive Spots in Your Local Area

Have a scroll through Instagram and search for festive locations near you – old cobbled streets, Victorian arcades, historic town centres, or anywhere with decorations all photograph beautifully. Every city has its hidden gems during Christmas, and locals usually tag them.

I loved walking around Leadenhall Market in London when the Christmas lights first turned on in November – the Victorian covered market gets draped in garlands and fairy lights, and the ornate architecture is traditional, full of history and the perfect Christmas palette of red and golds – stunning! 

Even though I went on the second weekend of November it was already busy! So I can only imagine how hectic it will be coming up to Christmas!

I’d advise to go to popular spots early on a weekday morning to avoid the crowds. It also means you’ll be less stressed about your phone getting swiped by a thieving ratbag, which is definitely something I’m always thinking about when I’m shooting photos out in London! 

Leadenhall market was especially nice because the natural light filters through beautifully during the day, but evening shots with the lights on create a completely different scene. It’s also sheltered, which is perfect because it means you can shoot in bad weather without getting drenched.

Cute Cafes with A Christmas Aesthetic

Cosy Christmassy cafes are also a great option if you want beautiful backdrops without planning an entire outdoor shoot.

Plenty of cafes set up outdoor seating with festive blankets, heaters, and fairy lights during winter. These create the perfect blend of cosy and atmospheric. Order something seasonal – a gingerbread latte or mulled wine – and shoot yourself wrapped in the provided blanket with the Christmas lights blurred in the background.

The key is to show the temperature through your styling: hat, scarf, gloves in shot, rosy (Rosie if you prefer haha) cheeks. It sells the winter vibe without looking uncomfortably cold. Teeth clenched, mid shiver and nose running is not the vibe!

Winter Activities Beyond Christmas

You don’t need overtly Christmas backdrops to create festive content. Winter activities like walking through simple locations like frost-covered parks, visiting botanical gardens with winter displays, or even just wandering streets with fairy lights all work.

The trick is your styling and the time of year – if you’re dressed festively and the light is wintry, the context does the work. This is a great option when you’re travelling somewhere that doesn’t go full Christmas decor but you still need to shoot some seasonal content.

This shot above was taken in Chamonix where there was lots of snow about so that was a headstart to looking Christmassy. And then I added a snow overlay to ramp up the festive atmosphere!

High-Impact Creator Poses for Christmas Photos

Getting the pose right can make the difference between holiday photos that look awkward and ones that makes your audience feel like you’re friends.

When you’re shooting a solo Christmas photoshoot, you need poses that look natural even when they’re carefully planned – and that work whether you’re using a tripod or you’ve convinced someone to help.

I always plan out the poses I want to do before I get to my location. That doesn’t mean I won’t improvise – but it does mean that when my brain goes blank I can take a quick squiz through my inspo and get back to shooting – making the most of the time I have there. 

Self portrait of me taken on my iPhone 17 Pro

Walking Shots Through Markets and Festive Streets

Walking shots are brilliant for creating movement and energy in your Christmas content. But you don’t have to actually walk! That would be too difficult to get yourself in exactly the right place at the right time for the perfect shot. Instead swing back and forward just doing one mini step, the same one over and over again. Much easier to capture a natural looking “walking” shot!

The most important thing is to keep your shoulders relaxed and look slightly away from the camera – either at shop windows, up at decorations, or just ahead of you for that “oh you just happened to catch me looking cute while Christmas shopping” vibe. Much better than a genuine harassed Christmas shopping moment! 

Candid moments happen when you’re not staring directly at the lens. These shots work particularly well at Christmas markets where there’s visual interest in the background.

Self portrait of me taken on my iPhone 17 Pro

Bokeh Portrait with Twinkly Lights

Position yourself a good metre or two in front of Christmas lights – whether that’s your tree at home, market stalls, or shop windows. Use Portrait mode on your phone or a wide aperture on your DSLR camera to blur the lights into beautiful bokeh.

Face towards the light source slightly so it catches your face, and adjust your angle until you’re happy with the lighting. Your tripod becomes your best friend here if you’re shooting alone. This setup creates those dreamy, professional-looking portraits without needing a professional photographer.

Looking in Decorated Shop Windows

This pose works beautifully for styled outfit shots with a festive backdrop. Look over your shoulder against a decorated window, or cross one ankle over the other, and position your hands naturally – in your coat pockets, holding a cup, or adjusting your scarf.

The key is to shift your weight onto one leg rather than standing square-on, which creates a more flattering line. Shop windows in areas like Covent Garden or your local high street often have stunning displays that do all the styling work for you. I actually spot a lot of gorgeous displays just by walking around at Christmastime and end up finding some unique spots that no one else has posted yet. Much better to have unique content that no one else has (until they start copying you – you lil trend setter!).

Camera & Phone Settings for Festive Self-Portraits

Most of us are shooting Christmas content on our phones, and honestly, modern phone cameras are more than capable of creating professional-looking results. But whether you’re using your iPhone or you’ve pulled out your mirrorless or DSLR camera, understanding a few key settings will transform your festive shots.

Portrait Mode is Your Secret Weapon

If you’re shooting on your phone, Portrait mode should be the first thing you enable for Christmas content. It blurs the background beautifully – essential when you’re at busy markets or cafes and don’t want random strangers stealing focus.

Position yourself at least a metre away from the background (your tree, market stalls, shop windows) so the blur effect works properly. The separation between you and those twinkly lights creates that professional bokeh look. If you’re using a mirrorless or DSLR, shoot with a wide aperture – f/1.8 to f/2.8 works brilliantly for the same effect.

Self portrait of me taken on my iPhone 17 Pro

Shooting at Blue Hour

Blue hour is that gorgeous window about 20-30 minutes after sunset when the sky turns deep blue. The most important steps for blue hour shooting are timing and settings.

On your phone, tap to focus on yourself and then swipe down slightly to reduce the exposure – I like pulling it down to -0.7. You want the sky to stay that rich blue rather than washing out to grey. If you’re using a DSLR or mirrorless, unless you have a very wide lens, you’ll likely need a higher ISO (800-1600) to capture enough light without making your shutter speed so slow that you get motion blur. Balance your settings so the lights look warm and the sky stays saturated.

Making Natural Light Work Indoors

When you’re shooting inside – whether at home or in a festive cafe – natural light is still your best option during the day. Position yourself facing a window but not directly in front of it.

The light should hit your face from the side or at a slight angle, which creates dimension. Fairy lights in the background will add warmth, but the natural light should be doing the heavy lifting on your face. You can also do a lot with editing in Lightroom afterwards to create a festive atmosphere, but it’s good to try and get it right as far as possible when you take it. 

Night Shooting Without Grain

Low light situations – like Christmas markets at night or evening indoor shots – can make your photos look grainy if you’re not careful. On most phones, Night mode will kick in automatically, but you need to stay very still for it to work.

Use your tripod or prop your phone on something stable. If you’re using a mirrorless or DSLR, increase your ISO but be mindful – going above 3200 will add grain. A better way is to use a wider aperture (lower f-number) to let more light in, which keeps your ISO lower and your images cleaner. 

If you are shooting on RAW format you can also use the denoise feature in Lightroom which will remove a lot of the grain. I like to use this when I take photos at our church’s Christmas carols by candlelight services. I really have to boost the ISO to extreme levels AND go down to f/1.2 but they look awesome, especially when I use the denoise option during the edits.

Quick Settings Checklist for Phone Shooters

Before you start your photo session, run through these: Portrait mode on, HDR enabled for tricky lighting, grid lines on to help with composition, and make sure you’re shooting in the highest quality your phone allows.

These simple settings take seconds to check but make a noticeable difference to your final images. If you’re somewhere with particularly beautiful light – golden hour or blue hour – take way more shots than you think you need. You can delete later, but you can’t recreate that light.

Aesthetic Christmas Outfit Ideas for Solo Creators

Your outfit is doing just as much work as your location when it comes to festive content. The right styling tells your audience it’s cold, it’s Christmas, and you’ve put thought into the shoot.

Accessorise with Festive Props

Sometimes the simplest approach is the most effective. A great idea for Christmas photos is to add festive touches to an otherwise neutral space: hold candy canes, wrap yourself in a chunky knit with a Santa hat, style yourself with reindeer ears for something playful, or wear fun socks and shoot from a cosy floor angle. Even ugly Christmas sweaters can work if you style them intentionally with sleek hair and makeup. So wherever you may be, you can bring the festive element into your photo rather than relying on your location.

Self portrait of me taken on my iPhone 17 Pro

Sparkle and Sequins

Festive doesn’t always have to mean traditional red and green colours. Sequinned tops, sparkly dresses, or anything with a bit of shine photographs beautifully under indoor lighting, especially near Christmas trees or fairy lights. The light catches the texture and creates visual interest. Pair with simple Christmas jammies on the bottom half if you’re only shooting from the waist up – nobody needs to know, and you’ll be comfortable while you’re setting up your shots. 

Textured Neutrals with One Festive Touch

For creators whose brand aesthetic leans minimal, you don’t have to abandon your style for Christmas content. Wear textured neutrals – think chunky cream knits, camel tones, or soft greys – and add one festive element like a sprig of holly, a red lip, or Christmas earrings. Shoot in a neutral living room or against a plain wall with one string of warm fairy lights. It’s a great option for maintaining brand consistency while still acknowledging the season.

Self portrait of me taken on my iPhone 17 Pro

Classic Red and White Combinations

You can’t go wrong with red and white for Christmas content. A red coat over an all-white outfit creates instant visual impact, especially against snowy scenes or neutral backgrounds.

Red jumpers, red scarves, or even just red lipstick with an otherwise neutral outfit all work. The colour photographs beautifully and reads as festive without being costumey. Pair with stylish shoes that can handle winter weather – Chelsea boots or sleek trainers keep it current rather than frumpy.

Emerald Green for Something Different

Emerald green is having a moment and it’s a great option for Christmas content that doesn’t make you look like you just escaped from Santa’s workshop. It photographs richly, works beautifully against traditional Christmas decorations, and feels something a little different than the traditional bright red.

Style it as a jumper, coat, or a dress if you’re shooting indoors. It pairs particularly well with gold jewellery and creates a gorgeous contrast against fairy lights.

All-White Winter Looks

An all-white outfit creates a minimalist, elegant take on festive content. Think cream knits, white jeans or trousers, and an oversized white coat.

This works brilliantly for creators whose aesthetic leans clean and neutral but who still want to acknowledge the season. Add texture through different materials – cable knit, faux fur, wool – so the outfit doesn’t look flat. Finish with a bobble hat or scarf in a soft neutral, and let your location provide the colour.

Cosy Knits and Textures

Chunky knit jumpers, cable knit scarves, and textured fabrics photograph beautifully and immediately convey warmth. Layer different textures together: a wool coat over a chunky knit, a faux fur collar, a thick scarf.

The weight of these pieces shows your audience it’s genuinely cold, which makes festive content feel more authentic. Comfortable sweaters that look intentionally oversized work better than ones that just look baggy – fit still matters even when you’re going for cosy.

Playful Festive Accessories

Sometimes the simplest creative way to make an outfit festive is through accessories. Santa hats, reindeer ears, Christmas earrings, festive brooches, or even fun socks if you’re shooting barefoot-at-home content all work. You can find festive and affordable Christmas accessories at places like Tiger Tiger or Primark, which have lots of kitsch options to choose from that won’t break the bank but definitely bring a smile to my face! 

The key is to style them intentionally rather than letting them look like fancy dress. A Santa hat with a sleek black outfit and good makeup feels playful and confident. Reindeer ears with an otherwise chic ensemble becomes quirky rather than childish. Even ugly Christmas sweaters can work if you style them with attitude and shoot them well. The main thing is that whatever you wear, you feel fabulous in it! 

And if you’re more chic than festive-freak (I mean that in the best way!), then you can still go for the Christmas vibes with delicate snowflake earrings that hint at the season without being in your face!

Self portrait of me taken on my iPhone 17 Pro

Fingerless Gloves for Shooting Your Own Content

Here’s a practical tip that I only discovered this year and has made a massive difference to my Christmas photoshoots!… fingerless gloves let you operate your phone or camera while still keeping your hands warm during outdoor shoots. This means you can get your shots done a lot quicker. They also look great in photos – far better than bulky mittens that hide your hands entirely.

Style them with a coordinating scarf and bobble hat for a cohesive look. If you’re shooting somewhere genuinely freezing, bring proper gloves to wear between shots and switch to fingerless ones when you’re actually shooting.

Self portrait of me taken on my iPhone 17 Pro

Off-Piste Colour Combinations

Christmas content doesn’t have to be red and green. In early November I shot some photos in my pink Christmas cardigan at London influencer favourite Peggy Porschen. Non-traditional colours can still feel wintry when you add a bobble hat, scarf, and winter layers. Camel and cream feels sophisticated and seasonal. Even all-black works if you have contrasting winter textures and your location is doing the festive heavy lifting.

The family vibes of traditional Christmas don’t have to dictate your aesthetic – create content that feels like you while still acknowledging the season. Your colour palette should work with your existing brand rather than against it.

Christmas Photoshoot Plan

Planning a Christmas photoshoot doesn’t need to be complicated, but a bit of structure saves you from standing in the freezing cold realising you’ve forgotten something crucial (like me when I turned up in central London with two red heels, both for my left foot – dammit!). 

Here’s your practical checklist to make sure your shoot runs smoothly.

Before You Leave the House

Check your gear: Phone fully charged, spare battery if you’re using a camera, memory card with space, tripod, and any remote shutter you’re using. Nothing kills momentum like a dead battery halfway through. I also like to take a fully charged battery pack so that I can recharge my phone on the move between locations. 

Plan your route: If you’re hitting multiple locations – Christmas market, then a festive cafe, then shop windows – map it out logically so you’re not backtracking. The most important steps happen before you even leave: know where you’re going and what you’re shooting. I like to create a private Google map with all my preferred locations and then see how close they are to one another and then plan my route for the day.

Check the light: Golden hour and blue hour are your friends, but they’re also short. Know what time sunset is and plan to be at your outdoor locations at least 30 minutes before. Indoor shoots can happen anytime, but natural light through windows is best mid-morning to early afternoon.

Outfit check: Make sure everything fits, looks good together, and is practical for the weather. If you’re planning outfit changes, pack them in a bag with any accessories. Don’t bring massive bags. Been there, done that and it’s just stressful hauling a big bag around. Aim for max three outfit changes, and ideally wear the same trousers in each – plain black leggings go with any outfit and mean you don’t have to bring a suitcase for outfit changes! 

At Your Location

Do a test shot first: Before you commit to 50 shots in one pose, take a few test frames. Check the lighting, the background, and your positioning. We all know we have a best side! Adjust your tripod height, move closer or further from your background, tweak your angle. This is a great way to avoid wasting time on shots that aren’t working.

Shoot more than you think you need: Facial expressions, angles, and lighting can vary wildly between frames. Take at least 20-30 shots per setup, especially if you’re using burst mode for walking shots. You can delete later, but you can’t recreate the moment once you’ve left.

Change your angles: Don’t just shoot everything straight-on. Crouch down for a lower angle, shoot from slightly above, try different perspectives. Small changes in angle can transform a decent shot into a great one.

Mind your backgrounds: Keep an eye out for distracting elements – bins, traffic cones, random people walking into your shot. Move a few steps left or right if something’s ruining your picture. Use Portrait mode to blur out busy backgrounds at markets and on high streets.

Back Home

Cull immediately: Go through your shots while the shoot is still fresh in your mind. Delete the obviously bad ones – closed eyes, awkward expressions, blurry shots. It’s easier to edit 30 strong contenders than 200 mediocre ones.

Edit consistently: Whether you’re using Lightroom, VSCO, or just your phone’s native editor, keep your editing style consistent across your Christmas content. Your holiday photos should still feel like your brand, just festive.

Batch your content: You don’t need to post everything immediately. Schedule your Christmas content throughout December so you’re not scrambling on a busy schedule. A great idea is to shoot two or three times in early December and spread the content across the month.

Quick Reminders

The most important thing about shooting Christmas content is to actually do it. Don’t wait for perfect weather, the perfect outfit, or the perfect mood. Get out there, shoot what you can, and refine as you go.

Conclusion

Even if you’re not creating perfect family Christmas card photos, these ideas give you the same warmth with a solo-creator twist.

Creating gorgeous Christmas content as a solo creator doesn’t require a full production team or hours of your day. It just takes a little planning, the right locations, and confidence in your ability to capture that Christmas vibes aesthetic on your own terms.

Whether you’re shooting at Christmas markets during blue hour, styling cosy Christmas setups in your living room, or capturing movement at ice skating rinks, the goal is the same: create content that feels authentically you. It doesn’t have to be perfect – just show your personality and have fun with it.

The beauty of being a solo creator is that you control every element. Your aesthetic, your timing, your locations, your style. No coordinating schedules or compromising on your vision.

So grab your tripod, plan your route, layer up, and go capture that cosy Christmas feeling. Your best festive content is waiting – and it doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. I did this last year and again this December, and it works every time.

If you’d like to learn how to take selfie-portrait holiday photos like mine, join me in my DIY photography class Slay Your Selfies. See you there!