Christmas Session Style Guide

What to Wear for Your Christmas Family Photos

For our Christmas minis, we’re reserving time slots for sessions at a local Christmas tree farm! There’s something so magical about tree farms. Maybe it’s just that it reminds me of the perfect Hallmark Christmas movie…but you don’t want to miss out! There are still some slots left, so if you haven’t planned out your family Christmas card photos, contact me today!

Maybe you’ve already booked your session for Christmas (yay!)…but you have no idea what to wear for them. Hopefully, this guide will make your life a little easier.

1. First of all, you want your family’s outfits to coordinate, but not match completely. Avoid dressing your whole family in the same color (i.e. everyone wearing a white shirt). A great way to do this is to start with one outfit that you absolutely know you want to use for your session…what color is it? What colors would complement it? Try to just stay with 2-3 colors that coordinate.

2. Next, pick muted or neutral colors. Earthy tones can contribute to that dreamy, creamy feel that can make photos look so magical. Very bright colors can be distracting and will give the entire photo a bolder and more vibrant look. Instead of your typical red and green for Christmas, maybe try a light olive green, a rust color, or a maroon.

3. Be careful with patterns. It’s perfectly okay to add outfits with patterns on it, but just be conscious of the types of patterns you are choosing. Patterns with very small dots tend to run together in photographs. Very tight plaids or small stripes will give off a wavy look in a photograph. If you have a question about whether a certain pattern will photograph well or not, don’t be afraid to ask!

4. Don’t hesitate to dress up! Plan to dress up a little more than your every day wear. Consider higher quality fabrics – they will translate better on camera…avoid t-shirt or athletic dry fit material. Also keep in mind while dressier outfits tend to photograph better, you want to be comfortable too. It will be hard to take joyful carefree looking photos when you’re just not comfortable with what you have on! Stay authentic to what makes your family you!

5. Try your clothes on in advance. Make sure they fit – and cover you in all the right places at all times. You may be standing, sitting, walking…or wrangling a toddler. Make sure your outfit allows for those activities.

6. Add accessories! It’s going to get cold…bring your scarves, hats, and furry boots. Wear your favorite fun earrings or bangle. It’ll add variety to your photos. Similarly, try to embrace layers with a cardigan or shawl.

7. Stay away from obvious branding logos on your clothing. They will subtract from the image. This same concept can also be applied to Christmas slogans, Santa images, or other large Christmas themed images on clothing. Yes, they are super cute, but they don’t always photograph well.

Are you still lost on what to wear? Check out my Christmas Inspiration board on Pinterest here or see our list of places we love to shop below. Most importantly, you are always free to contact me and I can help you plan your family’s outfits! I will take into account the location, the members of your family, your personal style, and budget. Part of my services include to set you up for success to have the best family photos and experience possible! 

Places we LOVE to shop for photoshoot outfits:

Baltic Born – where I buy most of my dresses
Lulus – this site is also great for women’s dresses
Petal & Pup – women’s clothing
Janie and Jack – children’s clothing
Etsy – what can’t you find on Etsy??
Old Navy – great for the whole family
J.Crew – great for the whole family
REI – they have great neutrals for men…and it’s comfortable