Running a bit behind on getting those Christmas pet photos organized? I have a super quick, easy, and kind of magical solution that you can create using just your phone, a cardboard box, and a lighting panel or fairy lights. The best part? You can set this up in about 5 minutes and create something really special!

What You’ll Need

• A cardboard box (ideally wrapped to look festive)
• A small LED light panel or phone flashlight
• Your phone camera
• Some treats
• Optional: Ribbon, fairy lights, or other festive decorations

The Basic Setup

The magic of this technique comes from placing a light source inside the box, which creates a beautiful glow on your pet’s face when they peek inside. I use a simple LED panel light (mine is a WMX Pro from Amazon, but any similar light will work). If you don’t have a light panel, you could even use another phone’s flashlight!

The great thing about this setup is that you don’t need any external lighting. I took my example photos on a very gray, overcast day with just a small bedroom window for ambient light. In fact, less ambient light actually works better for creating that magical effect.

Taking the Photos

Here’s the key to getting great shots:

1. Set up your box and put the light inside
2. Your pet will need to know how to “wait” briefly before getting a treat
3. Drop a treat into the box
4. Snap your photos when your pet peeks in to look at the treat

Pro Tip: The most important thing is to darken your exposure. On your phone, just tap and hold on the screen, then drag down to make the scene darker. This helps create that magical glow effect from the box while keeping the background moody and atmospheric.

Making Your Photos More Festive

While a plain cardboard box will work (like in my quick example), you can make your photos even more special by:

• Wrapping the box with festive paper
• Adding ribbon decorations
• Setting up fairy lights in the background
• Using a fluffy rug underneath
• Including a Christmas tree or other holiday decorations in the background

Simple Editing Tips

If you want to enhance your photos further, editing apps or programs that allow you to edit different parts of the image (subject or background) are best (I use Lightroom and/or Photoshop)

You can

• Darken the background slightly to create more atmosphere, especially if your background isn’t pretty
• Add warmth for a cozy Christmas feel
• Enhance the glow from the box
• Adjust shadows and highlights

For those with access to Photoshop, you can take it further by:

• Using generative fill to add festive backgrounds
• Adding sparkle overlays for extra magic

Final Tips for Success

• Practice the “wait” command with your pet before the photo session
• Try different angles – both standing and sitting positions can work well
• Take multiple shots to capture different expressions
• Don’t be afraid to make the scene darker – that’s what creates the magical effect
• Keep treats handy and make it fun for your pet!

Remember, this doesn’t have to be perfect – the goal is to create something special and unique for your holiday memories. Even with minimal setup, the lighting technique creates a magical effect that’s different from your typical pet holiday photos.

Share Your Results!

If you try this technique, I’d love to see your results! Tag me @inspawationphotography on social media with your magical pet photos.

Happy photographing! 🎄📸

Want more pet photography tips? Check out my free “12 Days of Dogmas” mini-course for additional holiday photo ideas!