16 of the UAE’s cutest festive family photo shoot options

With the festive season upon us and the UAE weather being so gorgeous, it’s the perfect time to book in a family photo shoot. The UAE boasts some stunning natural scenery for an outdoor shoot, while some photographers will have props and studios for you to set up the backdrop you want.

Whether you want to capture your little one in a traditional festive scene, would love to document your favourite holiday traditions at home, are contemplating gifting a shoot as a voucher, or simply want to end the year with a happy snap, Natalie Robinson, family photographer and educator at Gulf Photo Plus, rounds up some of the best options available…

AKEMI HOSHI: Akemi says her aim is to capture joy, love and connection, where the in-between moments count more than the perfect hair or classic pose.

While Akemi loves outdoor family and couple shoots, she is equally fascinated by Fresh 48 or newborn sessions. www.akemihoshi.com Instagram:www.instagram.com/akemihoshiphotography

ANA BACKHAUS: Ana Backhaus documents real life as it is without posing or directing, aiming to capture the most raw and genuine interactions between her clients. During the festive season Ana will help you archive all those moments of excitement with festive-tree decoration, gingerbread house building, cookie decoration and everything else that comes along with it.

You can also offer a session voucher as a Christmas gift. “Human behaviour and connections are my drive and inspiration,” she says. “All you need is to be yourself in your own comfort zone and I will work to make sure your real-life story will be remembered.” www.anabackhaus.com, www.instagram.com/anabackhaus_photography.

BECKY CLEMSON: Becky is a Dubai-based mum who says she gets a real sense of satisfaction out of shooting family photos that people will cherish for years, “so holiday shoots are a particular treat because of how nostalgic they can be for people with small children.”

Becky says she likes to keep the holiday-themed sessions as relaxed as possible. Foregoing studio setups, this year Becky is instead working with Perfect Storm Events to offer stylized location shoots, set amongst the dunes. Combining a cosy family shoot with something a bit different that lets you show off the lovely Dubai scenery to jealous friends back home! www.beckyclemson.com, www.instagram.com/beckyclemsonphoto, www.facebook.com/beckyclemsonphotography.

DINKYHEART PHOTOGRAPHY: Lianne loves to capture families in beautiful expansive landscapes as well as the more intimate details of authentic family connections.

This festive season, Lianne is offering family photography gift vouchers. www.dinkyheart.com, www.instagram.com/dinkyheartphotography, www.facebook.com/dinkyheartphotography.

EMMA STAPLES: Emma specialises in newborn, maternity, children, and family shoots, with a particular love of working with toddlers and all the chaos that usually involves! She has a natural style that does not involve lots of props, although she will guide the families to help create a narrative that they feel tells their story. Emma says, “Outside of taking the photos, I need to make my families feel comfortable and relaxed and that way I can capture who they are in that moment.”

Emma has had fun creating ‘Snowy the Sandman’ especially for her Christmas mini shoots in the desert this year. “His smiley face and jaunty top hat has already been a hit with the kids!” www.emmastaplesphotography.com, www.instagram.com/emmastaplesphotography, www.facebook.com/EmmaStaplesPhotography.

LIDIYA KALICHUK: Lidiya is a lifestyle family photographer who captures life in an authentic and natural way.

She offers paper and digital gift certificates that make the perfect, meaningful present to be kept and cherished for a lifetime. www.lidiyakalichuk.com, www.instagram.com/lidiyakalichuk, www.facebook.com/lidiyakalichuk.

LIHANDRA OPPERMAN: Lihandra specialises in family portraits, and her image style is journalistic and very natural. “I am all about family and being ‘in the moment’ with my clients.”

“Being a mum myself I believe I completely understand what mothers are looking for, and my warm approach always gets beautiful images for families to cherish.” www.instagramcom/lihandraopperman, www.facebook.com/lihandraoppermanphotography.

MALAKAI PHOTOGRAPHY: Erin is a natural-light lifestyle and portrait photographer based in Abu Dhabi. "Malakai" is her son's middle name and she says he is her inspiration, her "favourite work of art". Erin says she takes the time to guide her clients into genuine moments to capture sincere smiles, joyful laughter and tender affections.

“I adore natural light and the unbeaten path, often documenting others climbing sand dunes, picnics in the mountains or playing at the beach.” Erin also offers ‘Celebrating Diversity’ sessions for Neurodiverse families and families of determination. www.malakaiphotography.mypixieset.com, www.instagram.com/malakaidesignphotography, www.facebook.com/malakaidesignphotography.

NATALIE ROBINSON: Natalie is an in-home documentary photographer who aims to capture soulful and meaningful moments. She says that a shoot with her is a full family experience where you get to slow down and reconnect with each other.

Natalie aims to bring out the best in you and your family through her use of ideas, games and naturally prompting you. “Laughter, joy, excitement, tears of pride and happiness….and then I just happen to be there to photograph it,” she says. Natalie offers festive-themed gift vouchers if you are looking to ‘celebrate your family’ this Christmas.www.natalierobinson.me, www.instagram.com/natalierobinson_lifeincolour, www.facebook.com/natalierobinsonphotographer.

NIKKI COLE: Nikki is a family lifestyle and portrait photographer based in Dubai who says she loves to capture natural, candid shots and those little moments in-between. “The authentic smiles, hugs, laughs, love and connection between family members are what I love to document the most.”

Specialising in sessions with young children, Nikki says, “You don’t need a special occasion or milestone for a photoshoot. There’s something special in the everyday and that’s what I aim to find and capture”. Nikki offers family, children, maternity & new baby sessions across Dubai, showcasing many of the city’s stunning backdrops. www.nikkicolephotography.co.uk, www.instagram.com/nikkicole_photographer, www.facebook.com/nikkicolephotographer.

PBS PHOTOGRAPHIE: Priscillia of PBS Photographie is offering a very festive set-up this year for her Christmas mini sessions

Everything is made to make you feel comfortable in the studio, with a cosy festive ambience. Christmas gift cards are also available for all the sessions. www.pbsphotographie.com, www.instagram.com/pbsphotographie, www.facebook.com/familyphotographydubai

QUINCE PHOTOGRAPHY: Dunja (the face behind the lens of Quince photography) is an Abu Dhabi family and newborn photographer.

Dunja says she is always inspired to show families how beautiful their life together is. Www.quince-photography.com, www.instagram.com/_quince_photography_.

SCHEHERAZADE SHAHID: Scheherazade's aim is to provide photoshoot experiences that are fun for the whole family. In that spirit, she introduced the "Christmas in a box" concept for families who want to have creative and merry photos this festive season.

Whether it's a family, maternity, newborn or a cake smash session, she likes to make her clients comfortable, so their photos or films turn out natural and beautiful without much effort on the family's part. You can have a look at her work and reach out to her at: www.scheherazadephotography.com, www.instagram.com/scheherazadephotography.

SHERRIE STEWART: Sherrie is a freelance photographer hailing from Glasgow, Scotland. Her style is candid and relaxed, aiming to capture the joy and silliness that is often shared between family members when no one else is around.

“Capturing that perfect ‘Holiday card’ image is great, but the real moments are when someone is pulling a face or tickling someone or laughing (especially when they know they shouldn’t). That is what family is and that’s exactly what I try to capture in my work,” says Sherrie. www.shotsbysherrie.com, www.instagram.com/shotsbysherrie, www.facebook.com/shotsbysherrie.

TANYA YATSENKO: Tanya is a multi-disciplinary artist and storyteller based in Dubai. She is a lifestyle and documentary photographer working with families, children and newborn babies.

“I want to tell the truth through my work by documenting families at home doing their regular activities, capturing those unnoticed moments that will be so memorable in the future.” www.tanyayatsenko.com, www.instagram.com/yatanni.photo/, www.facebook.com/tanyayatsenkophotography.

TINLEAF PHOTOGRAPHY: Louise van Aarde, owner of Tinleaf Photography, has worked as a photographer in Dubai for the past 7 years. Louise says, “I believe that capturing the essence of one’s subject relies on the interaction between them and the photographer.”

Louise also feels that the most important aspect when shooting portraits is the interaction between people: “It is their interconnecting love and care during the family or couple sessions that take my breath away. www.tinleafphotography.com, www.instagram.com/tinleafphotography , www.facebook.com/tinleafphotography.

VALENTINE WORONOFF: Valentine is a lifestyle family photographer based in Dubai. Her photoshoots take place in the desert, on the beach, at home or in her photo studio. During the Christmas holidays, she is offering family photo sessions and photography vouchers for a family photo session in 2021.

“During the photo session, my goal is that everybody has a peaceful and pleasant time and are in connection to each other. Children will be always in movement and parents will laugh and play with their children.” www.instagram.com/valentineworonoff.