Confession time...
My husband and I have never sent out a Christmas card.
Not once.
You’d think being a photographer would make this an easy win — the lighting, the poses, the holiday magic? Simple, right?
Wrong. December comes in like a TIE fighter, and before I know it, the only thing I’ve sent out is another gallery delivery link.
But this year (okay, technically July), inspiration struck like a lightsaber to the creative brain: Star Wars Sithmas.
We still had our matching Star Wars pajamas from last Christmas — the ones covered in tiny Stormtroopers and Darth Vader— and I figured, why not? You only get one First Holiday Card, better make one that’s out of this galaxy.
Step 1: Choose A Side
(We Chose the Dark Side... They Have Cookies...)
Before you even think about props or poses, you’ve got to commit to your Star Wars aesthetic.
Are you bringing balance to the Force or embracing your inner villain?
We went all-in on the Dark Side — because, let’s be real, the Empire throws a better Christmas party. Think mood lighting, sharp style, and just enough menace to make Santa reconsider the naughty list.
Step 2: Pick a Scene
(Or Tell a Story)
Every great portrait set starts with a story.
For our first style, we wanted to capture “Christmas morning in the Empire.”
What would that look like? Maybe Darth Vader sipping cocoa by the glow of the Death Star tree lights. Maybe stormtroopers unwrapping new blasters while TIE fighter ornaments twinkle overhead. Whatever your fandom flavor, storytelling is where the magic (and the fun) begins.
Step 3: Style the Scene
Once we had the concept, it was time to style it. We used the Denver Photo Collective’s holiday set as our base — twinkly lights, cozy textures, and all the festive feels — then sprinkled in our signature Star Wars touches.
A few 3D-printed Mandalorian helmet flower pots.
Some Star Wars paintings of Darth Vader and a stormtrooper.
Classy. Nerdy. Absolutely perfect.
Think of it like holiday decorating, but make it galactic chic.
Step 4: Dress the Part
Here’s where the real fun began — our costumes.
We kept it comfy in our matching Star Wars PJs but topped them off with helmets: a stormtrooper for me and a Moff Gideon for my husband.
It was the perfect mix of cozy chaos and cinematic flair — the kind of Christmas morning that could only happen in a galaxy far, far away.
Step 5: Nail the Poses
We leaned into humor, love, and a bit of play-fighting (no one lost a hand, thankfully).
From “Force choke but make it festive” to “what's in the BOX,” we wanted these photos to reflect who we are — a little nerdy, a lot in love, and not afraid to laugh at ourselves.
Because at the end of the day, your portraits should feel like you.
And for us, that means a blend of warm hearts, geeky art, and maybe a few blasters on stun.
Stay tuned for Part II
— where I’ll break down how to light your own Star Wars portraits to match your chosen side of the Force. Spoiler: red gels make everything more dramatic.
And if you want your own galactic holiday portraits or tips for creative sessions that are out of this world, sign up for the Aurea Adventure Allies mailing list to get updates, behind-the-scenes guides, and exclusive resources!
