What to Wear for your Best Holiday Photos

Gone are the days of everyone wearing matching sweaters or pajamas (sorry, moms everywhere)! The trend of individuality is really highlighted this year. Keep reading for my top tips for the best holiday card looks! And check out this blog post highlighting my Holiday Mini Sessions in downtown Phoenix for some more inspiration.

The key is to try and weave a color palette throughout that will make your photos look clean and harmonious. You can choose to showcase a color (such as red) and have that color pop throughout your family’s outfits, or opt for a nice varied color palette. If you are picking a specific shade, try a complementary shade on each family member or weave in different fabrics/textures. If opting for a color palette, make sure each color syncs with the other.

Color Combinations and Ideas

Earth tones! When in doubt, we love earth tones. Deep forest green, sage, muted rose, mustard, and maroon are all solid color options when planning for holiday cards.

Here’s a twist on the classic green and red Christmas colors. Keep things feeling sophisticated by sticking to darker shades of the two colors, such as deep wine red and forest green.

Green is having a moment on holiday cards everywhere. Try a darker green and black. Like with red and black, this dramatic palette works best for more formal family photos and when you can incorporate luxe velvet or wool pieces.

Speaking of textures, try a mixture of textures in the same shade or similar palette. For example, a wool sweater on dad or son and a velvet dress on mom or daughter. Try a tulle skirt for a fun, flowy look. Knit rompers on babies are also adorable and a great way to get different textures in your pictures.

It’s always fun to add some shimmer! Add some sparkle or glitter by incorporating a shimmery flowy skirt or dress for girls. Try not to go overboard (no one ever wants glitter everywhere!) but keep it to one or two pieces. This goes especially well if you are taking photos at a studio decorated with matching glitzy holiday décor.

When in doubt, accessorize! A wide brim hat for mom, winter hats for kids, or a faux fur vest for a little girl are great ways to bring some pop to your photos. The best part is that they can be removed so it looks like you’re getting two different looks!

Mad for plaid! Plaid can be a difficult pattern to incorporate in typical photos but pair great for Christmas photos. A family can mix plaids too – red plaid, green plaid, and solid colors from the patterns go well together.

And lastly, keep it neutral by opting for a neutral color palette. Oatmeal, cream, or gray against a whimsical, snowy background will transport your family into a winter wonderland. If you’ll be outside, consider adding a wool coat in one of these colors to make your chilly photos look nice and cozy.