I love Christmas. I didn’t grow up on a Christmas Tree Farm like Taylor Swift, but I did grow up with parents who were very enthusiastic about celebrating. In fact, right now, as I write this, I am blasting Christmas music on repeat. An evergreen candle is lit and my little Elvis-themed Christmas village set, passed down to me from my late grandfather, is twinkling. While other people grow tired of the holiday mayhem by mid-December, I find myself clinging onto the magic, begging for one or two more months.

As I’ve grown into adulthood, I’ve watched some of my childhood traditions stick (no Christmas tree until the first snow after Thanksgiving, and reading The Best Christmas Pageant Ever each year), let go of ones I wasn’t that fond of (egg nog), and also created some of my own new traditions. It starts in October each year; I find myself itching and eager for December to roll around so that I can partake in my usual favorite festive activities.

This year, I had a little extra company, with Heather + Stephen who also love the holiday season and couldn’t wait to celebrate it with a ~just because photo shoot. They figured… annual photos to document where they are each year are important, sure, but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring or cookie cutter.

Ahead, I’m going to share exactly how we crafted an iconic Christmas in NYC photo shoot, comparable to many of the greats (Home Alone II: Lost in New York, anyone??), but I’m also going to share some of my personal favorite ways to get in (and maintain) the holiday spirit!

A Romantic Couples Photoshoot in New York City during the Holidays

Hang onto your hats, because I’m about to spill the cocoa on Heather and Stephen’s photoshoot at Rockefeller Center during the holidays! These two (who love the holiday season just as much as I do) had the brilliant thought, “Why not capture our favorite time of year just for fun?” A perfect reminder that your life is worth romanticizing and celebrating and documenting throughout the years, even outside of the societally acceptable times to celebrate your life (an engagement! a wedding! a new baby! all things I love, but, come on… what if you just want to celebrate being alive and happy and in love with life?). What I love about these photos is that they’re not specifically tied to a big celebration. I imagine that in 30 years, their kids will dig through an old photo box and pull these out and ask “what was the occasion?” and H+S will respond with “we were in love with each other, and in love with seeing the city all lit up at Christmastime.”

We’d talked back and forth about what kind of holiday cheer they wanted to spread with their photos, but ultimately decided to go to the epicenter of festive fun in the city (and also most people’s personal nightmare): Rockefeller Center. Picture this: we’re dodging tourists, twirling between giant candy canes and ornaments, and dancing near Radio City Music Hall. People are yelling; we are laughing. Horns are honking; we’re dashing across the street in a dramatic fashion. Everyone else rushing onto the next thing, but we are taking our time and just soaking in the silliness.

As the sun began to set, we knew we needed to see the Christmas tree all lit up and have a little fun with flash photos that captured the city’s after-hours vibe. Because it can be wall-to-wall people at the tree, we didn’t stay for too long. Plus, we had to get to the important stuff: peppermint mochas. We wrapped up the whole shebang by jumping into a warm coffee shop with twinkling lights in the windows.

Heather and Stephen’s session wasn’t just about the photos; it was a laugh-out-loud journey through the festive heart of NYC, proving that love, laughter, and a sprinkle of spontaneity are the real holiday magic! If you’re wondering whether or not to take photos “just because,” HERE’S YOUR SIGN TO DO IT. Photos are such an incredible way to document the passage of time and hold onto it forever! So don’t hesitate, let’s book your session!

WHAT TO DO IN NEW YORK CITY DURING THE HOLIDAYS:

Alright my friends, I know you’re wondering: “What should I do during the holidays in NYC?!” WELL, lucky for you, I’ve compiled a list of all the things I love so that you can enjoy them, too!!

• Ice skating: put a cute little bow in your hair, grab your leg warmers, and don’t worry about being bad at this sport!
  • Bring your own skates and skate for free at Bryant Park or
  • Rent a pair at Wollman Rink in Central Park or
  • The line is long but most iconic spot is, of course, beneath the iconic tree at Rockefeller Center
    
    
• Holiday Markets: most of these are very similar to each other, so once you’ve seen one you’ve seen them all (in my humble opinion). But I still like to grab a peppermint coffee and stroll through one of these each year:
  • Union Square
  • Columbus Circle (the perfect addition to a stroll through Central Park, which we’ll get to)
  • Bryant Park (you can pair it with ice skating!)
  • There are tons of popup holiday markets, which you can usually find easily by searching on TimeOut.com
    
    
• Christmas Bars: most of these are HORRENDOUS to get around, but make a reservation if you can, and just embrace the madness! It is fun if you lean into it!!
  • Oscar Wilde: THE iconic Christmas bar. Utter madness
  • Miracle on 9th St: Festive mugs and cocktails and usually not a terribly long line, very tacky and fun
  • La Grande Boucherie: If you favor a more elegant holiday experience
  • Frosty’s Midtown: Horrible and riddled with tourists, but so much fun!
    
    
• Rockefeller Center: kind of the hub of Christmas in nyc. Definitely stop by at least once. There are lights everywhere and even though it’s mobbed with people, it’s still charming!
  • Radio City Music Hall
  • The big Christmas tree
  • Ice skating
  • Watch the Saks 5th Ave light show across the street if you go after dark
  • Giant ornament and candy cane decorations behind Rock Center on 6th ave, as seen in the photos in this very blog post!
  • FAO Schwartz Toy Store
    
    
• Central Park: duh. Grab a coffee or hot chocolate from the 59th St/Columbus circle holiday market and wish for snow!!

Your Love Story, Your Way: Let’s Make Magic Together!

So, if you’re dreaming of a romantic couples photoshoot “just because,” where you can relax into just feeling like yourself in front of the camera, let’s chat! I want to capture the wild, quirky, and beautiful moments that define your love story. Just like Heather and Stephen, let’s celebrate your unique journey – one candid shot at a time! To book your own romantic couples session and create timeless memories, contact me or view my portfolio! Also, check out my Pinterest profile for more inspiration and follow me on Instagram!