What to Wear for Christmas Family Photos: A Simple Style Guide
What to Wear for Outdoor Christmas Photos in Michigan
Christmas Tree Farm Sessions | Rochester Hills & Metro Detroit Family Photographer
Christmas has always been one of my favorite times of the year. There is something about this season that makes everything feel a little more special. The traditions, the excitement of the kids, the time spent with family, and all those little moments that make Christmas so meaningful.
For me, Christmas is also a reminder of how important it is to slow down and spend time with the people we love. Life gets busy, kids grow up, and sometimes we don't realize how quickly things are changing until we look back at old photographs.
That's one of the reasons I love Christmas family sessions so much.
It's not just about having a beautiful photo for your Christmas card. It's about capturing your family exactly as you are in this season of life.
And what better place to do that than surrounded by beautiful Christmas trees?
But before we get to all those wonderful moments, there's usually one question that comes up:
"What should we wear for our Christmas photos?"
Don't worry! I've put together a few simple tips to help you choose outfits that look beautiful together, feel comfortable, and complement the natural beauty of our Christmas tree farm setting.
1. Let's Start With Colors!
One of the things I love about photographing families at a Christmas tree farm is that nature has already done so much of the work for us!
The beautiful deep greens of the Christmas trees create a timeless background, so we don't need to add too much.
When choosing your family's outfits, I recommend starting with a color palette rather than trying to match everyone's clothes.
And no, you don't have to wear red and green just because it's Christmas!
I personally love soft, earthy tones, warm neutrals, and rich seasonal colors that complement the trees without competing with them.
Some of my favorite combinations include:
Classic Christmas: Burgundy, forest green, ivory, camel, and chocolate brown.
Soft & Natural: Sage, oatmeal, dusty blue, taupe, and blush.
Warm & Cozy: Rust, warm brown, olive, cream, and muted red.
Elegant & Timeless: Burgundy, champagne, navy, gold, and evergreen.
Winter Blues: Navy, steel blue, ice blue, ivory, and sage.
You don't need to use every color in your chosen palette. Three or four coordinating colors are usually enough to create a beautiful combination.
A little tip from your photographer: Since we're surrounded by green trees, I love adding cream, camel, burgundy, or other lighter tones to help your family stand out from the background.
2. Patterns? Yes! But Let's Keep Them Simple.
I know choosing outfits for an entire family can sometimes feel like putting together a puzzle!
One person has a favorite sweater, someone else wants to wear a dress, and suddenly you're trying to figure out how to make everything work together.
Here's my advice: Don't be afraid of patterns, but don't let them take over your photographs.
I love a beautiful plaid, delicate stripes, small checks, or a subtle herringbone pattern.
The trick is to let one person wear a pattern and choose solid colors for the rest of the family.
For example, if your little one is wearing a burgundy and cream plaid shirt, you can pull those colors into the other outfits.
This creates a coordinated look without making everyone look exactly the same.
And remember, we want the attention to be on your family's faces and the connection between you, not on what you're wearing.
3. Let's Talk About Textures!
This might be one of my favorite styling tips!
Sometimes, the secret to creating beautiful outfits isn't adding more colors or patterns. It's adding different textures.
Think about cozy knit sweaters, corduroy pants, soft wool coats, velvet dresses, or beautiful cardigans.
Textures bring warmth and depth to your photographs, especially during the colder months.
For example, imagine Mom wearing a beautiful cream knit sweater, Dad in a camel-colored jacket, and the kids wearing a combination of corduroy, soft cotton, and wool.
Nothing matches exactly, but everything looks beautiful together.
And the best part? Many of these pieces are things you probably already have in your closet!
4. Coordinate, Don't Match!
If you've read my previous styling guides, you probably know how much I love this advice.
Your family doesn't need to match. You just need to coordinate.
I actually prefer when everyone wears something a little different because it gives the photographs more personality.
Start with one outfit you really love. Maybe it's a dress you've been wanting to wear, your child's favorite sweater, or a beautiful jacket.
Then build the rest of the family's outfits around that piece.
Try laying everything out together on your bed before the session. This is such an easy way to see if the colors and textures work well together.
And don't forget that everyone should feel comfortable and like themselves!
5. Remember, It's Michigan!
As much as I would love to promise beautiful, sunny weather for every Christmas session, we all know how unpredictable Michigan can be!
One day we're enjoying a beautiful fall afternoon, and the next we're wondering if winter has already arrived.
Since our Christmas sessions take place outdoors at a Christmas tree farm, I recommend planning outfits that are both beautiful and practical.
Layers are your best friend!
Cozy sweaters, cardigans, wool coats, and scarves can all look wonderful in photographs.
For little ones, consider adding thermal layers underneath their clothing. When kids are warm and comfortable, they're much more likely to enjoy the experience.
And please, think about shoes!
One more tip: Avoid bringing jackets that don't coordinate with your outfits if you think you'll need to wear them during the session. Instead, choose a beautiful coat or sweater that can be part of your look.
6. You Don't Need to Make Everything Look Like Christmas
I know this might sound funny coming from someone offering Christmas mini sessions, but hear me out!
You don't need matching Christmas pajamas, Santa hats, or sweaters covered in reindeer to create beautiful Christmas photographs.
Of course, if those things are part of your family's personality and traditions, that's completely fine!
But if you prefer something more natural and timeless, that's wonderful too.
The Christmas trees already give us that beautiful holiday feeling.
I personally love creating photographs that feel festive but can also be displayed in your home throughout the year.
Something that reminds you of Christmas without feeling like it belongs only in December.
7. Most Importantly, Come Ready to Enjoy Your Family
This is probably the most important tip I can give you.
Once you've chosen your outfits, don't worry too much about everything being perfect.
You don't need perfectly behaved kids, perfectly styled hair, or everyone looking at the camera and smiling at the exact same time.
Actually, some of my favorite photographs happen in between those moments.
When your little one reaches for your hand.
When Dad makes everyone laugh.
When your kids hug you without being asked.
Or when you're simply standing together, enjoying a few minutes away from the busyness of everyday life.
Those are the moments I love to capture.
And those are the photographs that become even more meaningful as the years go by.
A Little Christmas Reminder From Me to You
Every year, Christmas comes and goes so quickly.
We spend weeks planning, decorating, buying gifts, organizing activities, and trying to make the season special for everyone.
And sometimes, in the middle of all that excitement, we forget to slow down and enjoy it ourselves.
That's one of the things I hope my Christmas sessions can give families.
Just a few minutes to be together.
To laugh, hug, play, and enjoy each other.
Because the truth is, our families are constantly changing. Our kids are growing, traditions evolve, and the people who make Christmas special are what we will always want to remember.
One day, these photographs won't just remind you of what Christmas looked like. They'll remind you of what this season of your family's life felt like.
And to me, that's what makes photography so special.
I can't wait to see all the beautiful families joining me at the Christmas tree farm this year!
With love,
Lore
Lore de Cosio Photography
