Christmas Photoshoot Ideas (That Don’t Involve a Studio or a 1-Hour Drive to a Tree Farm); Ulistac Natural Preserve in Santa Clara
- Joy Moon
- Dec 5
- 2 min read
Let me let you in on a little holiday secret for Christmas photoshoot ideas: You don’t need a full-blown sleigh, a flocked tree farm, or one of those fancy indoor studios where you’re not even sure if the snow is real.
You can absolutely get Christmas card-worthy family photos without overthinking it. No stress, no hauling toddlers into matching plaid, and definitely no sweating in cable knits in 75-degree weather.
We kept things sweet and simple at Ulistac Natural Preserve in Santa Clara—yes, that local public park you’ve probably driven past a million times.
Why Ulistac?
Easy parking (because no one wants to circle the lot with a cranky toddler)
Big open space with lots of nature-y goodness
And for our purposes? We stayed right by the street. No hiking boots necessary.
It’s not fancy. It’s not curated. But it is fun—and that’s what matters.
Easy Christmas Photoshoot ideas; Props (That Don’t Scream “I Tried Too Hard”)
Okay, here’s what we brought with us to sprinkle in a little holiday cheer without turning the whole thing into a Pinterest production:
Radio Flyer Wagon
Classic. Adorable. Iconic.Kiddos LOVE it—riding in it, pulling it, pretending it’s Santa’s sleigh. One of the littles insisted on pulling grandpa in it. 10/10 core memory.
Cozy Holiday Blanket
You don’t need matching outfits and a theme. Just toss a festive blanket into your car. Boom. Holiday vibes. Lay it down for some snuggly sitting photos, wrap it around the fam, or let your kids run under it. (I mean, you gotta let their jitters out, am I right?)
A Wreath
This one’s a sleeper hit. Handheld wreaths are so simple, but you can do a LOT with them—peek through it, hold it as a family, stick it on the wagon, or let the kids play with it. It gives everything a Christmas-y touch without trying too hard.
Christmas photoshoot ideas; You Don’t Need to Overdo It
Christmas photos don’t have to be perfect—they just have to feel like you. Bring a few cozy things from home, pick a park close by, and make it an adventure.
If you’re local to the Bay Area and this sounds like your jam—a chill holiday session with your actual family energy included—let’s make it happen.
I’ll bring the camera, you bring the wreath.
Ready to plan your easy-breezy Christmas photo session?
Did you like this one? Check these
Comments