Festive Photography Inspiration

As the festive season makes its way into view, even if world affairs mean some of us don’t feel quite as festive as in previous years, there is almost always something in our lives for which to be thankful and to celebrate. And if you can name us a celebration that doesn’t have food at the heart of it, we shall be very surprised!

There are so many photogenic opportunities - festive food often has lovely traditions around it, starting with the making of it. Just think of Stir Up Sunday when people gather to make the Christmas pudding. Or Three Kings Day on Twelfth Night when a special bread is baked. Then it’s the dishes themselves, from a huge roasted turkey and cranberry sauce to mince pies and brandy butter, from potato latkes or spiced kugel for Chanukah to sweet Pongal for the Hindu winter festival in southern India.

So make sure you use all the wonderful occasions of the season to capture the mood, the fun and the joy of celebration. Savour the slower moments too; why not take the quiet time between Christmas and the New Year to enjoy a look through your work from previous years? There just may be a winning shot tucked away that you’ve forgotten about.

We do hope you enjoy this small selection of festive photography from our archive.

 

‘The Ultimate Mince Pie’ by Kris Kirkham, 2nd, Marks and Spencer Food Portraiture, 2022
This image was captured for the November cover of delicious magazine 2021.

 

‘Christmas’ by Nicola Tree, Champagne Taittinger Food for Celebration, 2021
The one thing left for people to enjoy in Christmas 2020 was food, this image is a celebration of the many varieties of weird and wonderful food we consume over the period.

 

‘Thirsty Santas’ by Simon-James Smith, unearthed® Food for Sale, 2020
The picture of the three dressed Santas queuing for refreshments was taken just before the 2019 Santa Dash at Brockwell Park in South London.

 

‘The New Pigs in Blanket’ by Kris Kirkham, 1st, Production Paradise Previously Published, 2023
The ultimate hero pig in blanket.

 

‘Gingerbread Dream (Pernickuv Sen)’ by Linda Repasky, Shortlisted, On the Phone, 2022
This delightful shop in Prague, Czech Republic specializes in elaborately decorated gingerbread cookies. Its charming exterior merely hints at the remarkable assortment of treats inside.

 

‘Winter Wonderland’ by Sabeen Riaz, Shortlisted, Food Stylist, 2021
Mini train cakes in a winter wonderland styled with tall trees and snow.

 

‘Mulled Wine Splash’ by Simon Detraz, Highly Commended, Marks and Spencer Food Portraiture, 2023
Winter is hard... here's a little comforting mulled wine.

 

‘Christmas Cake’ by Kris Kirkham, Shortlisted, Production Paradise Previously Published, 2019
Christmas cake and Christmas pudding. Food Styling by the Good Housekeeping team.

 

‘Mulled Pears’ by Harriet Harcourt, 1st, Marks and Spencer Food Portraiture, 2021
Pouring spiced wine syrup over the poached pears before serving.

 

‘Christmas Feast’ by Emilia Konkol-Pastuszak, Champagne Taittinger Food for Celebration, 2020
An inviting table for a Christmas dinner. It's a moment of meeting, feasting and making toasts. An evening full of emotions, warmth, family feelings and confessions.

 

‘Annele with Reindeer’ by Lola Akinmade-Åkerström, Shortlisted, Food in the Field, 2019
The reindeer has been a strong symbol of the indigenous Sami for centuries. Historically, every part was used – meat and fat for cooking, horns for knives and tools, fur and skin for clothing; today reindeer remain a key source of meat, fat and fur in the region.

 

‘A Winter Tale’ by Andrea Gralow, Champagne Taittinger Food for Celebration, 2020
Christmas cookies being prepared.

 

Browse our range of categories to see which ones might suit your festive photography.