How to Make Holiday Memories Last: 3 Creative Ways to Capture the Magic This Season

The holiday season has a way of sneaking up on us. Between the decorating, wrapping, shopping, and endless to-do lists, it can feel like the joy and magic slip by in a blur. But years from now, it’s not the perfectly wrapped gifts or the spotless house that will matter most, it’s the memories you created with the people you love.

And here’s the best part: those memories can be made to last. Photos have the power to take us right back into those small, beautiful moments: the laughter, the coziness, the wonder in your kids’ eyes. Today, I’m sharing three simple ways you can capture and preserve the magic of this holiday season.

1. create a holiday photo tradition

Choose one moment you’ll intentionally photograph every single year. Maybe it’s everyone in matching PJs on Christmas Eve, the kids decorating the tree, or the first batch of holiday cookies coming out of the oven. Over time, this one repeated photo becomes a thread of tradition, weaving your family’s story year after year.

For our family, two favorite traditions have become annual musts, we always visit a Christmas tree farm to cut down our tree, and our son gets the honor of placing the star on top once we’ve finished decorating the tree and our home. The two images below are from the first year we started these two traditions and it been 10 years that we document each of these moments in a photograph. I truly treasure these images so much.

Pro tip: If you’re in Central PA or Lancaster County, consider building your tradition around one of the amazing local holiday experiences the area is known for. Take your family to Servant Stage’s A Christmas Carol, hop aboard the Christmas Trains at Strasburg Railroad, experience the wonder of the Santa Express at Stone Gables Estate, or explore the festive charm of the Country Barn Christmas. These events are some of the most festive and family, friendly things to do with kids in Lancaster at Christmas, and they also create the perfect backdrop for a yearly family photo tradition. Not only will you come away with joyful experiences, but you’ll also have a consistent way to document your family’s holiday story year after year.

Another meaningful holiday photo tradition you could add is scheduling an annual Holiday Mini Session with a local Lancaster, PA family photographer. Holiday Minis are a wonderful way to capture a few festive, seasonal images at a lower price point, while still getting professional-quality photos you’ll treasure for years to come. This year I’m excited to be hosting my 10th Annual Holiday Mini Sessions at SUPPLY in Manheim. Each session is designed to be stress-free, cozy, and timeless, perfect for holiday cards, gifts, or simply documenting your family as you are right now.

Click here to learn more and reserve your spot

2. capture the details, not just the poses

Of course, we all love the smiling-at-the-camera photo, but don’t forget the little details that make the season special. The ornaments hung with tiny hands, the messy hot cocoa mustaches, the twinkling lights reflected in their eyes. These in-between moments often hold the most meaning when you look back later. Over the years as a family photographer, I’ve learned that these candid, imperfect moments often capture the heart of ya family more deeply than a posed photo ever could.

3. print and display your memories

In our digital world, it’s easy for photos to get lost in the shuffle. This year, commit to printing at least a few of your favorites. Create a holiday photo wall, start a yearly album, or tuck a small print into your holiday cards. Having tangible images to hold and display will keep those memories alive long after the season ends.

Many of my holiday mini session clients love creating custom holiday cards. They become treasured keepsakes that children (and even grandchildren) can flip through in the years to come. Here at Nicola Herring Photography, I also offer beautifully designed custom holiday cards so your images are ready to share in a meaningful way. If you book a Holiday Mini Session with me, you can easily add on a set of Holiday Cards to your session order. Easy Peasy!

want to take the stress out of holiday photos?

Alongside these DIY ideas, I’ve created a special 10th Annual Holiday Mini Session experience that captures your family’s joy in a beautiful set that is timeless, festive, and stress free. This year’s set features a simple wooden house frame with delicate, ground-up florals, greenery, and shrubs. It’s designed to feel festive without being overdone, perfect for everything from holiday cards to framed prints that look beautiful year-round. The minis will be held at SUPPLY in Manheim, PA + I’m bringing back the incredible Seasonal Sensations By Sheila for the florals.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Quick and easy: A short session that works even for wiggly little ones
• Fast turnaround: Your gallery delivered in time for cards and gifts
• Keepsake ready: Images that will become part of your family’s holiday tradition

Act fast! I only have 11 spots left for these holiday mini sessions and I typically sell out.

Reserve Your Holiday Mini Session Here

Check out these inspiration images for the set I am offering this year.