It's a pout every parent knows well.

When shadow assistant treasurer and Canberra MP Dr Andrew Leigh tried to rally his clan for the quintessential Christmas card photo, his youngest son did not want to play ball - at all.

The grumpy toddler subsequently stole the spotlight and the nation's hearts as he sulked on the edge of the frame, while his parents and brothers beamed for the camera.

"We had a photo shoot which of course involved everyone standing still and looking in the same direction," Dr Leigh said.

"Zachary decided, not unreasonably, that was fun for a bit but he wanted to go and do something else and he was a little put out when the rest of the family didn't want to play."

The three-year-old eventually found a way to redirect his family's attention where it belonged.

"What you don't see is the thing that happened next.  After discovering pouting didn't work he decided to walk back to the pond behind us. That got us all moving," Dr Leigh said. said.

The card could even best that of agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce, whose reenactment of a decade-old family photo with his wife and four daughters was concurrently awkward and excellent. 

The 2015 Christmas card that Barnaby Joyce will be mailing out which shows him and his family in 1995 on a bench outside Parliament House and a re-enactment photo shot this year. Photo: Supplied

Most federal politicians opt for conservative rather than colourful when it comes to the annual Christmas card.

Cards sent by Malcolm Fraser and his wife Tamie during his prime ministership recently added to the collection of the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House show a charming but more serious side to the couple.

There have been other exceptions though, such as when former foreign minister Alexander Downer – who once sported fishnets and high heels for the camera – posed with a big cat at Australia Zoo.

The Leigh family's card has been widely lauded, with even little Zachary giving it the thumbs up.

"We've shown it to Zachary and he laughed so at least at the moment he appreciates it. It'll be interesting to see what he makes of it when he's 21," Dr Leigh said.

The only way the Leigh family's photo could be improved was if they were wearing festive jumpers. Perhaps next year.