New Year family photos are one of the easiest traditions to start: a short studio session in late December or January, a little gold and sparkle, the new year spelled out in balloons, and the same family portrait repeated every year. January is usually calmer than the holiday rush, so there tends to be more choice of dates, and a New Year card arrives when nobody else's does. Here is how to plan one.
Which set to choose
Few photographers have a dedicated New Year set. Families who want New Year photos usually choose one of these, and add their own festive details:
- A winter set: whites, silvers and pale blues, which pair naturally with gold and champagne tones. It feels fresh and celebratory without being tied to Christmas. The post on the winter wonderland photoshoot shows how it works.
- A classic plain backdrop: a clean, simple background that lets sparkly outfits and number balloons stand out. This is the best choice if you plan to repeat the same portrait every year.
Check each photographer's profile to see which sets they offer and what is included. New Year details like number balloons usually come from you, and the list below shows what works.
Ideas that feel like a new year
The year in balloons
Large foil number balloons spelling the new year are the most recognizable New Year photo. Gold, silver or rose gold all work. A few practical notes:
- Buy them from a party store and have them filled the same day, so they float properly.
- Tell your photographer in advance, so they know to plan around them.
- Kids can each hold a digit, or the whole family can stand behind them.
- Bring a spare string or ribbon. Balloon strings tangle at the worst moment.
The countdown
Everyone counts down from five with their fingers, and the photographer catches the "zero" moment: arms up, mouths open, kids jumping. A fast burst usually catches one frame with everyone at the peak.
The toast
Grown-ups and kids clink glasses together. Bring plastic or shatterproof flutes and fill them with sparkling cider or juice. It photographs the same as champagne and keeps the set safe.
Party hats and noisemakers
Paper party hats and noisemakers give small kids something to do with their hands. Toddlers who refuse to smile will happily blow a noisemaker at a sibling.
Resolutions on a sign
Each person holds a small chalkboard or card with a wish for the year, written by the kids if they are old enough. "Learn to ride a bike," "More pizza," "Sleep through the night" from a parent of a newborn. These make funny, personal cards.
The quiet family portrait
Not every New Year photo needs balloons. A calm, close family portrait in coordinated outfits, everyone looking at the camera, is the photo you will compare year after year.
Gold, sparkle and how much is too much
New Year photos can carry more sparkle than any other session, but a little goes a long way.
- A palette that works: navy, cream, champagne and gold, or black and white with gold details.
- Sparkle in doses: one sequined top or dress, a glittery headband, gold shoes for a little one. When everyone is in sequins, they reflect the light and the photo gets busy.
- Textures: velvet, satin and soft knits balance out the shine.
- Avoid: shirts with printed slogans like "Happy New Year" in big letters. They date the photo and pull the eye away from faces.
Ask your photographer before bringing confetti, so they can tell you what works in their space. Glitter in particular gets everywhere and stays on outfits and hair for days.
Make it a yearly tradition
The best thing about New Year photos is the comparison over time. If you repeat the same session every January, the photos become a record of how the family has grown.
To make that work:
- Use the same set and pose each year. A plain classic backdrop is the most consistent choice.
- Keep one fixed photo: for example, the kids standing in height order, or the whole family on the same blanket in the same spot.
- Repeat a detail: the same number balloons in a new year, the same family toast, the same sign.
- Book around the same date each year, so the time between photos stays even.
There is more on this in Why Families Book Photos Every Year.
Timing: late December and January
January is a quieter month for most photographers, which works in your favor:
- More choice of dates and times, including weekend mornings.
- Everyone is rested after the holidays, at least compared to mid-December.
- New Year cards arrive in January, when people actually have time to read them. If you missed the Christmas card deadline, this is the perfect alternative. The holiday card photo timeline shows how long the process takes.
Delivery times differ by photographer, so check the profile. A session in the first week of January usually leaves enough time for cards in the middle of the month.
A family birthday in January? You can combine the two with a little planning, and the list of birthday photoshoot ideas has more ideas for numbers and balloons.
Choosing the session
- A holiday mini session: a short slot with one setup. Enough for a balloon shot, a toast and a family portrait. In NYC these often run $150 to $350.
- A longer family session: about an hour, two setups. Good for a winter set plus a plain backdrop, or for families with very young kids.
- A large family session: more time and more people, if the extended family is still in town.
Real prices, lengths and gallery sizes are on each profile.
Quick answers
When should we book New Year family photos?
Late December through the end of January works well. Early January gives you time to send New Year cards in the middle of the month.
Do photographers provide number balloons?
Usually not. Backdrops and accessories vary by photographer, so check the profile. Number balloons for the year are best brought by you, filled on the day. Tell your photographer in advance.
Can we use our New Year photos as a card?
Yes. A New Year card stands out because it arrives after the holiday mail rush, and it gives you a few extra weeks to plan.
Find your photographer
Browse holiday photographers, look for a winter set or a classic backdrop, and tell your photographer your New Year ideas once your booking is accepted.