Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Photo Backdrops I Hang Behind the Tree for Our Pajama Family Photo
108
items Every December you scramble to get the family dressed, drive to a studio, and pay way too much for one usable shot. Meanwhile, your living room already has the tree up and everyone is in matching PJs. I started hanging backdrops right behind our tree...
Sections
12
Holiday Photo Backdrops That Look Like a Real Set
Matching Family Pajama Sets That Photograph Well
Backdrop Stands That Actually Stay Up
Lighting That Makes Phone Photos Look Professional
Tripods and Phone Mounts for the Self-Timer Shot
Props That Make the Photo Actually Fun
Holiday Photo Backdrops That Look Like a Real Set
The first year I taped a bedsheet behind the tree and it looked exactly like a bedsheet behind a tree. These actually photograph like a professional setup, and most of them fold down to nothing when you are done.
Grab this if your living room wall is plain white and photographs like a hospital. The fireplace print filled the whole frame and my mother-in-law thought we rented a cabin.
Allenjoy 7x5ft Christmas Fireplace Backdrop
Use this when you want that cozy loft look without owning a loft. Hung it with two thumbtacks and it stayed flat the entire shoot. Thick material, no wrinkles.
Kate 10x6.5ft Christmas Fabric Backdrop for Photography
Perfect for the family that does a silly pose AND a serious one. The colors pop without being neon, and it rolls up small enough to store in a gift wrap bin.
Funnytree 8x6ft Christmas Fireplace Backdrop
Switch to this if you want something subtle that does not compete with loud pajama patterns. The soft bokeh dots catch the tree lights and everything glows.
MEHOFOND 7x5ft Winter Wonderland Backdrop Glitter
Keep this one year-round. I used it for the holiday shoot, then again for Easter, then for a birthday cake smash. Neutral enough to work with any setup.
10X8ft White Brick Wall Floral Backdrop Flower Spring
Try this behind a smaller tabletop tree if you live in an apartment with zero wall space. The wood grain photographs warm and does not look like a printed sheet.
7x5FT Rustic Wood Wall Backdrop Brown
Toss this up when you want the photo to scream New Year's Eve. My teenager actually said it looked cool, which is the highest compliment I have ever received from her.
Customer reviews for Mocsicka Blue Gold Birthday
Snag this for the under-ten crowd. My kids lost their minds over the candy cane stripes and we got genuine smiles instead of the usual forced cheese face.
Customer reviews for 10X8FT Merry Christmas Cane
For anyone whose tree is near a window and you need to block the parking lot view. The snowy forest print made it look like we live in Vermont instead of a subdivision.
YUSDECOR 7x5ft White Snowing Pine Forest Christmas
Matching Family Pajama Sets That Photograph Well
Learned the hard way that some patterns turn into a blurry mess on camera. These read clean in photos and actually feel comfortable enough that the kids do not rip them off mid-shoot.
Wear these if your family's holiday vibe is more sarcastic than sentimental. The green pops against every backdrop color and the sizing runs true from toddler to adult XXL.
Dr. Seuss Merry Grinchmas Matching Family Pajama Set
Pair these with a neutral backdrop and the red plaid does all the visual work. Soft flannel, not that stiff poly blend that makes everyone sweat under the lights.
Kids Christmas Matching Family Pajamas Set from Holiday
Get these for the classic Hallmark-movie look. The fair isle pattern is detailed enough to be interesting but not so busy that it vibrates on camera.
Family Christmas Pajamas
Try these if you have little kids who refuse to wear anything without a character on it. Mickey in a Santa hat is the compromise that ended a thirty-minute tantrum in our house.
Mickey Mouse - Christmas Family Pajamas
Snag a set before they sell out in November. I waited until December 10th last year and could only find toddler sizes. The fit is roomy and the print holds up after washing.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Kids' Pajamas & Robes
For the family that wants to look coordinated without looking like a cult. Black and red buffalo check is the safest bet if you cannot agree on a theme.
Wonder Nation Girls Ribbed Buffalo Check Pajamas Set
Bring out the Buddy set if your holiday card needs to make people laugh. We posed with syrup bottles and it is still the most commented-on photo we have ever sent.
Elf Pajamas Matching Family Buddy the Elf Raised
Use these as a solid-color base if someone in the family hates prints. The thermal texture adds visual interest without any pattern, and they are warm enough for an outdoor porch shot.
Hanes Men's X-Temp Sleep Set
Swap to these if you did plaid last year and need something fresh. The cookie print is playful, and the pants have real pockets, which my husband will not stop talking about.
George Mens pajamas & sleepwear (51)
Backdrop Stands That Actually Stay Up
Year one I duct-taped the backdrop to the wall and it fell on the dog mid-photo. Year two I got a real stand and the difference was night and day.
Start here if you have never owned a stand. Takes about five minutes to set up, holds backdrops up to ten feet wide, and breaks down into a carry bag that fits in a closet.
Emart, Backdrop Stand, 10x7 ft, Adjustable Photo Studio
Grab this if you need extra height. We have nine-foot ceilings and this stand maxes out right under them, so no gap shows at the top of the frame.
LINCO Photography Studio Lighting 9x10ft Backdrop
For anyone who sets up and tears down every year and does not want to fight with wobbly joints. The locking mechanisms on this one are solid. Nothing slides.
Emart Photo Studio Backdrop Stand Kit 10x8.5ft
Use this if you want clamps included. It comes with enough clips to hold even a wrinkly backdrop taut, and the base feet do not scratch hardwood floors.
Emart Heavy Duty Backdrop Stand
Try this for wider backdrops. The crossbar extends far enough that you can fit five people across without seeing the edges of the fabric in the photo.
Professional 10x8ft Photography Backdrop Stand Kit
Perfect for small rooms where a full-size stand would block the hallway. Compact footprint but still holds a seven-foot backdrop without sagging in the middle.
Yesker Upgrade Green Screen 73.2x77.5 inch Wider
Snag this if you also use backdrops for Zoom calls or product photos during the year. Lightweight aluminum, so moving it between rooms is not a two-person job.
DQQKMM 10×6.5ft Backdrop Stand Kit,Adjustable
Get this one for the price. It does the job, it holds the weight, and it has not collapsed on a pet or child in three years of use. That is all I ask.
Irene Inevent Kshioe Photo Studio Background Stand Set
Pair this with heavier vinyl backdrops. The crossbar does not bow under weight like cheaper stands do. I hung a ten-foot vinyl sheet and it stayed perfectly level.
Backdrop Stand 10x7ft(WxH) - Photo Studio Backgrounds
Lighting That Makes Phone Photos Look Professional
Our first pajama photo was lit entirely by the tree and overhead kitchen light. Everyone looked yellow and slightly haunted. A couple of lights fixed that instantly.
Grab both panels and put one on each side of the group. The shadows disappear and skin tones actually look human. Runs on AC power so no battery panic mid-shoot.
Neewer 2-Pack Dimmable Bi-Color 480 LED Light
Use this as a fill light aimed at the person standing farthest from the window. Cheap, bright, and the tripod adjusts tall enough to light adult faces, not just kneecaps.
UBeesize 10'' Ring Light with 50'' Extendable Tripod Stand
Keep one of these on the floor pointing up at the backdrop to eliminate that shadow line where the fabric meets the ground. Small trick, huge difference.
Emart, LED Continuous Portable Photography Lighting Kit
For anyone who wants that buttery soft studio look from a single light. The softbox diffuses everything so nobody squints and there are no harsh shadows on faces.
GVM SD80D 80W Bi-Color LED Video Light
Toss this in your pocket when you move the shoot outside to the porch. Tiny, rechargeable, and bright enough to fill in shadows from porch roof shade.
Lume Cube Panel Mini Bi-Color LED Light
Try this if you shoot with a real camera and want full control. Two softboxes give you even light across a group of six without anyone looking washed out or dark.
NEEWER 700W Equivalent Softbox Lighting Kit 2 Pack
Swap the color temperature on this to match your tree lights so everything in the photo feels cohesive. Takes thirty seconds to dial in and it runs forever on one charge.
Viltrox L116T Ultra Thin Bi-Color LED Video Light Panel
Perfect if you are doing this solo and need a light you can clamp to a shelf or door frame. Lightweight, adjustable brightness, and it does not overheat.
Neewer PT-176S 176 LED Video Light Kit
Splurge on this if you do multiple photo sessions throughout the year. The color accuracy is noticeably better than budget panels. Skin tones look exactly right.
Aputure Amaran Ace 25C RGBWW LED Light
Tripods and Phone Mounts for the Self-Timer Shot
Somebody always has to be the one pressing the button and then sprinting into the frame. A tripod and a timer fixed that and also fixed the blurry running shots.
Start with this if you are shooting on a phone. Extends tall enough to get a straight-on angle instead of that weird upward nostril shot from a coffee table.
UBeesize, Phone Tripod, Portable Flexible Stand
Grab this for a basic DSLR setup. Not fancy, but it locks in place and holds steady during a ten-second timer. That is literally all it needs to do.
Amazon Basics 50-Inch Lightweight Tripod Review | Tested
Use this when you need to wrap the tripod around a banister or balance it on a bookshelf. The flexible legs grip anything and the phone stays put.
JOBY - GorillaPod 1K plus Kit Tripod - Black/Red/Charcoal
Try this for outdoor porch shots where you need height but do not want to carry a full tripod outside. Extends tall, locks firm, and doubles as a selfie stick for behind-the-scenes video.
Fugetek, Selfie Stick Tripod, 51" All Aluminum
Perfect for the person running this whole production alone. The Bluetooth remote pairs instantly and you can trigger the shutter from inside the group without anyone noticing.
SENSYNE 62" Phone Tripod, Extendable Selfie Stick
Snag this if you switch between phone and camera depending on the year. The quick-release plate swaps in seconds so you do not fumble with mounts while the kids lose patience.
PGYTECH MantisPod 2.0 Vlogging Tripod with Ball Head
Get this for large group shots where you need to step way back. The extra height and distance means you can fit the whole tree, the backdrop, and eight people without cropping anyone out.
Aureday 67" Phone Tripod
For anyone on a budget who just needs something that works. It is not going to win awards but it held my phone steady for forty shots last Christmas without a single wobble.
onn 67-inch Tripod with Smartphone Cradle for DSLR
Pair this with a heavier camera. The grip handle makes micro-adjustments easy, so you can level the frame perfectly even on uneven porch boards.
Manfrotto Compact Action Aluminum 5-Section Tripod Kit
Props That Make the Photo Actually Fun
Standing in a line smiling gets old after the second year. Props give everyone something to do with their hands and make each year's photo different from the last.
Grab the full set and let each person pick their prop. The mustache-on-a-stick is objectively funny every single year and I will not apologize for that opinion.
Christmas Photo Booth Props for Holiday Parties
Use two or three gold stars floating behind the group. They catch the light, add dimension to the photo, and cost less than a coffee. Tape the strings to the backdrop stand.
Customer reviews for PartyWoo Metallic Gold Balloons
Hold this up in the photo and it doubles as a timestamp. Five years from now you will be glad you can instantly tell which year each photo is from.
Hallmark Keepsake
Toss this to the kid who never knows what to do with their hands. Instant prop, instant personality, and it lives on the shelf the rest of the season.
Holiday Time Nutcrackers
Swap the message each year. We have done our family motto, the kids' ages, and one year just the word CHAOS, which was the most accurate.
Felt Letter Message Board Set, 10" x 10", 140 Pieces
Drape this across laps if you are sitting on the floor. It adds texture to the photo and also keeps everyone warm if you are shooting near a drafty door.
Holiday Time Plush Santa Throw Blanket, 50 in x 60 in
Wrap this around two people to pull them closer together in the frame. Works as a styling trick and also solves the problem of someone wearing a clashing shirt underneath.
Customer reviews for Time and Tru Women's Blanket Scarf
Stack these in the foreground and they glow in the photo. Adds depth so the shot does not look flat, and the kids think they are real presents, which keeps them engaged.
Set Light Up Gift Boxes for Home Decor
Sneak this into someone's pocket or perch it on a shoulder. It is a tiny detail people notice when they look closely at the card, and it always gets comments.
Elf on the Shelf® Scout Elf Carrier 5P
Backdrops for Outdoor Porch and Yard Shots
Some years the weather cooperates and we move the whole operation to the front porch. These backdrops handle wind and outdoor light without looking washed out.
Hang this on the porch railing and it blocks the neighbor's inflatable snowman from photobombing your card. The wood tone warms up even on an overcast day.
Allenjoy 7x5ft Vintage Rustic Christmas Kitchen
Try this when there is no actual snow on the ground but you want the card to look wintery. The printed snow is convincing enough in photos and it dries fast if it gets damp.
Kate 8x8ft Christmas Fabric Backdrop for Photography
Use this for a nighttime porch shoot. The printed bokeh lights layer with your actual string lights and the whole scene looks like a holiday movie poster.
Funnytree 7x5ft Winter Scene Backdrop Wonderland
Perfect for the family that does a themed card every year. The red truck print is classic Americana and it pops against green pajamas.
MEHOFOND 7x5ft Merry Christmas Backdrop
Snag this if your kids love miniature village displays. It is whimsical without being childish, and the detail holds up even in close-up crops for Instagram.
8x6Ft Christmas Winter Snow Photography Backdrop
Get this for a natural woodsy look when your actual yard is a parking pad and two bushes. Nobody needs to know.
Haboke 7x5ft Christmas Fireplace Theme Backdrop
Swap to this for the funny card year. The snowman is cartoonish enough to set a playful tone and it pairs well with goofy pajama sets.
Christmas Toy Store Backdrop, Snowman Xmas Party
Hang this on a flat garage door and suddenly your house looks like a farmstead. The barn door print is weathered and realistic. Multiple neighbors asked if we built a set.
Christmas Backdrop Soft Fabric Rustic Barn Door
For anyone who wants a European holiday card vibe without the plane ticket. The market stall print glows warm and makes the whole scene feel cozy.
Laeacco 7x5ft July Christmas Photography Backdrop
Camera Settings Cheat Sheets and Guides
I spent three Christmases guessing at settings and getting blurry, dark, or orange photos. These guides finally made me look like I knew what I was doing.
Grab this if you just bought a Canon and the manual reads like a legal document. David breaks down portrait settings in plain English with actual example photos.
The David Busch Camera Guide David Busch's Canon
Use this as your crash course before the shoot. The family portrait chapter alone saved me from repeating the same flat lighting mistake I made three years in a row.
Tony Northrup's Dslr Book: How to Create Stunning Digital
Try this if you learn better from short tips than long chapters. Each page is one idea, one setting, one result. I read it in two sittings and immediately improved.
The Digital Photography Book: Part 1 (Paperback) by Scott
Perfect for the person who does not own a real camera and is not about to buy one. Your phone can do this. This book shows you exactly how.
iPhone Photography for Dummies, (Paperback)
Snag this if your Nikon has been on auto mode since you unboxed it. The holiday portrait section walks you through aperture and white balance without making your head spin.
Nikon D7500 for Dummies, (Paperback)
Get this before you try shooting by the tree. Indoor holiday light is tricky and this book explains exposure in a way that actually sticks. I reread the chapter every November.
Understanding Exposure, Fourth Edition: How to Shoot
For anyone who wants to go beyond the group-standing-in-a-line shot. Posing tips, angle suggestions, and how to use natural window light to your advantage.
Enthusiast's Guide to DIY Photography : 64 Projects
Pair this with the free video lessons that come with it. Watching someone adjust settings in real time clicked for me way faster than reading about f-stops.
Tony Northrup's Dslr Book: How to Create Stunning Digital
Ditch the awkward poses. This book teaches you how to direct non-models, which is exactly what your family is, into positions that look relaxed and natural.
Roberto Valenzuela Picture Perfect Posing Review
Editing Apps and Presets for the Final Photo
The raw photo is never the one that goes on the card. A quick edit makes the colors match, smooths out the weird overhead light tint, and makes the whole thing look intentional.
Start here for color correction. The white balance slider alone fixed the yellow cast from our tree lights and made everyone's skin look normal instead of jaundiced.
Adobe Lightroom Classic 2025-2026 User Guide
Use this to design the actual card layout after you edit the photo. Templates for every style, and you can add text without it looking like you used Microsoft Paint.
Canva Pro | Your all-in-one design solution
Try the holiday preset packs. One tap and the photo goes from flat phone snapshot to that warm film-grain look that makes everyone ask what camera you used.
Photo Editor App for Mobile & Desktop
Perfect for selective edits. I brightened just the faces without blowing out the tree lights in the background. Free, no watermarks, no subscription nagging.
Snapseed 4.0 User Guide: The Complete Beginner-to-Pro
Snag this to remove the outlet, the dog toy, or the Amazon box you forgot to move before the shoot. Takes five seconds and saves you from reshooting.
TouchRetouch - App Store
Get this for minor fixes only. Smoothed out the red splotch on my kid's chin from eating candy canes right before the photo. Subtle, not uncanny valley.
Facetune
For anyone who wants Photoshop-level tools without paying Photoshop prices. Layer the backdrop exposure separately from the faces and everything looks balanced.
AI Photo Editor free : Pixlr Express
Swap to this when you want to send a collage of outtakes to the group chat. The grid layouts are clean and you can export high-res for printing.
Free Online Photo Collage Maker | PicCollage Web
Use this for the Instagram story version of your card. The templates are minimal and modern, and they make a phone photo look like a design studio made it.
Unfold
Holiday Card Printing That Does Not Look Cheap
Year three I printed cards at a drugstore kiosk and the colors were muddy and the paper felt like a receipt. Never again. These options actually feel like something worth mailing.
Grab a pack of these for the bulk mailing list. The print quality is sharp, the paper is thick, and they come with envelopes that do not self-seal in the humidity.
Personalized Photo Cards & Stationery
Use Minted for the cards going to people you want to impress. The foil options catch light and the paper stock feels expensive. Worth the extra dollar per card.
Holiday Photo Cards: Custom, Christmas & Foil-Pressed
Try this if you want full design control. You can adjust every element, move the photo, change the font, and preview exactly what it will look like before you pay.
Custom Holiday Photo Cards - New Designs & Templates
Snag these for the office exchange pile. Good quality at a lower price point, and they run sales constantly, so check before you order at full price.
Custom Holiday Cards 2026
For anyone who wants that thick, matte, letterpress feel. The paper is noticeably heavier than competitors and the print is crisp. People keep these on their fridge all year.
Personalized Holiday Photo Cards
Get these if you are printing fifty-plus cards and need to keep costs reasonable. The satin finish photographs well and the turnaround is fast, usually three days.
Christmas & Holiday Cards (555)
Pair a simple pajama photo with a bold foil border and it looks like you hired a designer. The foil catches light in the mailbox and makes your card the first one opened.
Christmas & Holiday Cards (555)
Switch to Mpix when you want to frame the photo as a gift for grandparents. Lab-quality color accuracy and the paper options range from glossy to textured fine art.
Giclee Prints | Fine Art Prints
For the person who wants pro lab results shipped to their door. The lustre finish reduces glare, which matters if the framed photo is going near a window.
Lustre Photo Prints | Order Matte Finish Photos
Storage and Organization for Backdrops Year After Year
After the shoot I used to crumple the backdrop into a garbage bag and wonder why it was wrinkled the next December. Proper storage takes two minutes and saves hours of steaming.
Roll the fabric backdrop tightly, slide it in, vacuum the air out, and it stores flat under a bed. No wrinkles, no dust, no mystery stains from the garage.
Ziploc Space Bag Vacuum Seal Cube Variety Pack
Use this for backdrops AND your actual wrapping paper. The long tube shape keeps fabric from folding and it hangs on a closet door so it takes zero floor space.
Whitmor Gift Wrap Storage Organizer with Handles
Try this for vinyl backdrops that you can roll loosely. The clear sides let you see which backdrop is inside without opening five boxes every December.
Sterilite 41 Qt Clear Plastic Underbed Storage Bin
Perfect for storing the backdrop stand, clamps, and fabric all in one bin. Label it and stack it with your other holiday bins. Future you will be grateful.
Rubbermaid Storage Totes for Organized Spaces
Snag this if your backdrops are longer than six feet. The extended length fits full backdrop rolls without bending them, which prevents permanent crease lines.
Honey-Can-Do SFT-01598 Wrapping Paper and Bow
Keep a pack of these with your backdrop kit. They hold fabric to walls without nail holes and peel off clean, so you are not patching drywall every January.
How to Use Command™ Strips for Hanging Pictures
Get this for the morning of the shoot. Even well-stored backdrops get minor wrinkles. Five minutes of steaming and it is perfectly smooth. Works on the pajamas too.
Choosing, Using and Decalcifying Your Clothes Steamer
Toss a roll in your kit for emergency backdrop repairs. Last year a clamp tore a small hole and I taped the back side. Invisible in the photo.
Scotch, Heavy Duty Packaging Tape, Clear, 1.88 in. x 25.6 yd
Label every backdrop tube or bag with the year you bought it and the dimensions. Sounds obvious but after five years of collecting them you will forget which is which.
SHARPIE STAINED PERMANENT MARKER
Treats and Bribes to Keep Everyone Smiling
No amount of lighting or backdrops matters if the four-year-old is screaming and the teenager is rolling their eyes. Strategic snacks and distractions are the real secret weapon.
Grab a bag and promise one M&M per genuine smile. Manipulative? Sure. Effective? Every single time. The holiday colors also look cute if one sneaks into the frame.
M&M's Milk Chocolate Christmas Candy - 10 oz Bag
Brew a round for everyone right before the shoot. Warm hands, good moods, and the mugs double as props. Plus the steam looks amazing in backlit photos.
Starbucks Hot Cocoa, Made with Real Cocoa
Use these as the post-shoot reward everyone can look forward to. Announce it before you start and suddenly cooperation levels triple. Pavlov knew what he was doing.
Pillsbury Cookies
Try this for the kids who think Starbucks cocoa is too bitter. The mini marshmallows floating in the mug photograph adorably and keep tiny humans occupied between poses.
Swiss Miss Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix with Marshmallows 8
Snag this for the teenager who needs a bribe with actual value. Promise it after ten good photos and watch the eye-rolling transform into genuine participation.
Spotify Gift cards | Walmart.ca
Play holiday music during the shoot to set the mood. When Mariah Carey comes on, even the grumpy family members loosen up. Clip it to the backdrop stand and let it run.
JBL Go 3 | Portable Waterproof Speaker
Scatter a few on the floor in front of the group for a styled detail shot. Then let everyone eat them between takes. Double duty.
Hershey's Kisses Candy Cane Flavored Christmas Holiday
For anyone who does not have time to bake but still wants the cookie-bribe option ready to go. They are festive, they are sweet, and they keep mouths too full to complain.
Great Value Holiday Christmas Tree Sugar Cookie Kit
Pair this with a deal. Ten minutes of cooperation earns the card. I have never had a shoot go longer than eight minutes when real currency is on the line.
Congratulations Apple Gift Card $15-$500 (Email Delivery)