— at home by the tree or among the city lights —

Christmas Photoshoot in Gothenburg

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Christmas is one of the few times a year when the whole family is together. But the best moments usually stay off camera: someone is always behind the phone, and there are hardly any photos of everyone together. And December in Gothenburg is dark and rainy – heading outside for photos is not always tempting.

The simplest answer is that I come to your home: warm, cosy, your own tree and fairy lights, and the weather does not matter at all. If you would rather be outdoors, there are two more options – a daytime walk or an evening among the Christmas lights – and I always pick a spot with shelter nearby.

I have been photographing for 15 years, with more than 3,000 shoots behind me. Below: how a home session works, who can be in the photos, what daytime and evening shoots look like, where the lights are in town and what to wear.

Mum, dad and little son by the decorated tree, the child riding a toy car
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At home by the tree – the cosiest option

Home is warm, cosy and beautiful: your own tree, fairy lights, candles, blankets and toys – ready-made decor you do not have to rent. No fighting the dark, no waiting for better weather. Children in familiar surroundings quickly forget the camera, and the photos turn out lively and warm rather than posed.

You choose the time: morning, afternoon or evening. One example is a Christmas family photoshoot with a tree, presents and matching red sweatshirts.

Whereat your home
Weatherdoes not matter
Dad holding the little daughter in red, mum kissing her, fairy lights and a tree behind them
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How I photograph at home

Your home does not need to be big – a corner with the tree and a window is enough. I bring my own lighting and use several light sources, so faces are bright and the fairy lights glow instead of disappearing.

An hour is usually enough: first calm group photos by the tree, then play, presents and whatever happens on its own.

Durationabout an hour
LightI bring my own
A couple in matching pyjamas sitting on the floor by the tree with presents, laughing
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What to prepare

Decorate the tree, switch on all the fairy lights and clear the background of bags, chargers and piles of toys. A couple of nicely wrapped presents make ready-made props.

Clothes in one colour, or matching pyjamas and sweatshirts, make the photos look of a piece. If you want two looks, as in the photo, we start in smart clothes and then switch to pyjamas.

Dad playing with the little daughter in red on the bed, mum beside them, small lights all around
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With little ones – at their pace

With small children I follow their rhythm: short breaks, snacks, nap times. No long posing – the child plays and I catch the moment.

That is easiest at home: everything is at hand, and if the little one gets tired we take a break and carry on.

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Not just the family: a big group, a couple, a portrait

If the whole family gathers for Christmas, we will of course take a group photo with the grandparents. But the best pictures usually come from small groups: parents with the kids, grandma with the grandchildren, siblings on their own – that way everyone gets attention instead of a spot in the third row.

A Christmas shoot works for couples too – under a blanket by the tree, with hot drinks or on an evening walk – and for a portrait of one person: for social media, a Christmas card or just for yourself.

Woman in a light knitted sweater by a caravan decorated with fir branches, a chair with a blanket and presents in the snow
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Outdoors by day

If you want to be outside, daytime is easiest: in December it is light roughly from ten to two, and the low winter sun gives soft light even at midday. A park, a yard with fir trees, a porch or any place with Christmas decor works – and if we are lucky with snow, even better.

Props work outdoors too: a blanket, a chair, wrapped presents, baubles. Shelter nearby is a must – a canopy, an entrance, a porch – so a short shower does not cancel the shoot.

Daylightroughly 10 am–2 pm
Weathershelter nearby
Boy and girl in hats and scarves in front of glowing fairy lights and snowy fir trees, photographed with flash in the evening
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In the evening: blue hour and the lights

In December the sun sets as early as 3:25–3:35 pm in Gothenburg, and the sky stays blue until about 4:20 pm (sunrise-sunset.org). That is the best half hour: the lights are on, but the background is not black.

During blue hour the lights are already on while the sky is not yet black. Once it is fully dark, I shoot with flash and a slow shutter at the same time: the flash keeps faces sharp, and the fairy lights behind turn into soft glowing circles. You do not need to stand still – the shot is taken in an instant.

Sunset1 Dec 3:32 · 21 Dec 3:26 · 31 Dec 3:35 pm
Blue sky untilabout 4:15–4:25 pm
Boy in Christmas-tree glasses blowing a kiss in front of fairy lights in the trees at night
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Christmas spots in town

In November and December Gothenburg lights up. For an evening walk there are the 80 illuminated trees along Avenyn, the glowing heart in Brunnsparken, the light installations in Kungsparken, the winter market on Grönsakstorget, and the Christmas markets on Haga Nygata and in the old shops of Kronhuset (goteborg.com).

Out of town or with a ticket: Christmas at Liseberg (14 November–30 December 2026) and the Christmas market at Tjolöholm Castle. They are busy, and the shoot has to be approved by the park or the castle in advance – tickets for everyone, including me, are arranged by you.

An ordinary photoshoot on streets and squares needs no permit. Market dates change every year – check them before booking.

WhenNovember–December
Mum, dad and little son in matching red sweatshirts with a present by the tree
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What to wear and what to bring

Knitted and fluffy things work best for Christmas photos: chunky jumpers, big mittens, scarves, high collars, bobble hats. They look warm in the picture and are warm for real. Matching sweatshirts or pyjamas at home are a good choice too.

Colours – warm and light: red, beige and cream stand out, while anything black disappears in the dark. Bring props that work better than any pose: a flask of hot chocolate or mulled wine, mugs, a blanket, baubles, battery fairy lights, nicely wrapped presents.

For outdoor shoots: spare mittens and dry shoes – warm children matter more than any photo.

Want Christmas photos this year?

Tell me who will be in the photos, where you would like to shoot – at home or in town – and a rough date. I will suggest a time, a place and a plan B. The price is SEK 3,000 per hour including VAT, from one hour. The evenings before Christmas are booked first.

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Frequently asked questions

When is the best time for a Christmas photoshoot?

At home – any time, morning or evening. Outdoors by day roughly from 10 am to 2 pm, in the evening right after sunset: in December the sun sets at 3:25–3:35 pm and the sky stays blue until about 4:20 pm.

Can we do the Christmas photoshoot at home?

Yes, and in December it is the safest choice: the weather does not matter and the children are in their own surroundings. I bring my own lighting, and a corner with the tree is enough. Usually about an hour.

What if it rains?

At home the weather does not matter. Outdoors we always pick a spot with shelter nearby, and light rain can even make the picture better: wet pavement reflects the lights.

How long is a Christmas session with children?

30–45 minutes, with a break to warm up. Children do not last long in the cold.

Can you photograph the whole extended family?

Yes, we will always take a group photo. But the most lively pictures come from small groups – parents with the kids, grandma with the grandchildren, the couple on their own.

Is a Christmas shoot right for a couple or one person?

Yes. A couple under a blanket by the tree or on an evening walk among the lights, a portrait for social media or a Christmas card – it is the same session, from one hour.

Where are the Christmas lights in Gothenburg?

Among others 80 trees along Avenyn, a heart at Brunnsparken, light art in Kungsparken and the winter market on Grönsakstorget – in November and December.

Can we shoot at Christmas at Liseberg or Tjolöholm Castle?

Yes, but the shoot has to be approved by the park or the castle in advance, and tickets for everyone, including me, are arranged by you. Christmas at Liseberg is open 14 November–30 December 2026, the Tjolöholm market on 20–22 and 27–29 November and 4–6 December.