Holiday Portraits in NYC: A Guide to Timeless Family Photos

Holiday portraits have a way of becoming more valuable with time. They may begin as the photograph selected for this year's holiday card, but years later, they become a record of a particular chapter in your family's life.

At Fred Marcus Studio, photographing families has always been about more than creating a beautiful image. Across generations, our studio has documented families as they grow, often photographing the same people through weddings, children, milestone celebrations, and annual portraits.

When Should You Take Holiday Portraits in NYC?

For families planning to use their photographs for holiday cards, scheduling a session in October or early November generally provides enough time to select photographs, design cards, and have them printed before the holidays.

Earlier sessions can also be a great option, particularly if you want an outdoor New York setting or would prefer to avoid the busiest part of the holiday season.

Where Should You Take Family Holiday Photos in New York?

New York offers countless possibilities for family portraits. The right location ultimately depends on what feels most representative of your family.

A session might take place in Central Park surrounded by fall foliage, along an iconic Manhattan street, inside your home, or in a setting that holds personal significance to your family.

Rather than selecting a location simply because it is recognizable, consider where your family will feel comfortable. The strongest portraits often happen when everyone can relax and interact naturally.

What Should You Wear for Family Holiday Portraits?

Coordination is generally more timeless than perfectly matching outfits.

Choose a complementary color palette and allow each family member's individual style to come through. Neutral tones, rich seasonal colors, classic tailoring, and subtle textures photograph beautifully and keep the finished image from feeling overly tied to a trend.

Most importantly, everyone should feel like themselves.

Creating Photographs That Last Beyond the Holiday Card

There is always a place for the photograph where everyone is looking at the camera. But some of our favorite images happen between those moments.

A child laughing with a parent. Siblings interacting. A quiet portrait of grandparents with their grandchildren.

These photographs capture more than what your family looked like that year. They preserve relationships, personalities, and a moment in your family's history.

For holiday cards now. For your family history later.

Fred Marcus Studio photographs family and holiday portraits throughout New York City, creating timeless imagery designed to be kept for generations.