Christmas Photoshoot Outfit Ideas for Families (2026)

The best Christmas family photoshoot outfits use one rich color (burgundy, forest green or navy) on one or two people, with everyone else in cream, camel or gray. Where you shoot changes the palette. Below: palettes for park and studio, plus kids, shoes and coats.

I photograph Christmas sessions in two very different places: outdoors in Van Cortlandt Park and around Riverdale, and indoors on a decorated set in a rented studio in Yonkers. The same sweater can look perfect in one and disappear in the other, so plan the outfits after you pick the session.

Coordinate, Don't Match: One Anchor Color and Two Neutrals

Matching outfits (everyone in the same red sweater) flatten a family into one shape. Coordinated outfits keep each person distinct while the photo still reads as one palette.

Here is the simple version I give families:

1. Pick one anchor color. Burgundy, forest green, deep navy or a warm rust. Put it on one or two people, often the kids.
2. Pick two neutrals that go with it. Cream, oatmeal, camel, chocolate brown or soft gray. Everyone else wears those.
3. Allow one pattern, at most. A plaid scarf or a small check on one person is plenty.
4. Lay it all out on the bed. If one piece jumps out first, swap it.

The goal is that nobody's outfit is the first thing you notice. Faces should be. If you're unsure, spread the anchor color around: a burgundy dress on one child, a burgundy scarf on a parent.

Color Palettes for Outdoors vs. the Red-and-Gold Studio Set

Outdoors in late November and December, the park is mostly brown, gray and bare branches, with leaves on the ground. Rich colors pop against that. On the indoor set, the background is already full of color, so your outfits need to stand apart from it instead of melting into it.

The Christmas Studio Set Day has two sets side by side, and you pick one when you book. Red & Gold has a decorated tree, a burgundy velvet loveseat and candlelit arches. White Winter has snow-flocked trees, silver ornaments and a cream sofa.

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A quick rule: outdoors, wear the color the season is missing. On a set, wear the color the set is missing.

Fabrics That Photograph Well: Velvet, Knit and Wool

Texture does a lot of the work in winter photos. Low sun outdoors and warm studio light both pick up the surface of a fabric, which makes simple outfits look rich without any logos or prints.

• Velvet catches light along every fold. It's the classic holiday fabric for a reason, especially on kids. Keep it to one or two people so it stays special.
• Chunky knits (cable-knit sweaters, cardigans) add depth and look cozy. Cream and oatmeal knits are the easiest neutral there is.
• Wool in coats, skirts and trousers holds its shape when you sit, kneel or pick up a child.
• Corduroy and flannel are good supporting fabrics for dads and older kids.

Avoid thin, shiny fabrics like satin outdoors. They show every wrinkle and can flash in direct sun. A little sparkle on a set is fine on one person, not on the whole family.

What Toddlers and Kids Should Wear

Kids set the tone of the session, so dress them for comfort first and style second. A child tugging at an itchy collar for 20 minutes is the photo you'll get.

A real example: at a recent mother-and-son holiday session at Untermyer Park, the little boy wore a burgundy velvet shortall with a white Peter Pan collar and white knee socks. His mom wore a warm brown shirt dress. One strong color on the child, one quiet neutral on the parent: it's the coordinate-don't-match idea in a single pair.

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A few things that help with kids:

• Do a test wear at home. If they hate it in the living room, they'll hate it in the park.
• Pack the outfit in a bag and change on arrival, so it's clean.
• Bring spare tights or socks. Kids will sit, kneel and climb.
• For babies, a soft knit romper beats anything with buttons or bows that slip.

There's more on keeping little ones happy in how to prepare for a portrait session.

Shoes Show Up More Than You Think

In a full-length family photo, shoes are in the frame. Bright white sneakers pull the eye straight to the bottom of the picture.

Outdoors, choose shoes you can walk on leaves and wet grass in: brown or black leather boots, Chelsea boots, simple loafers. For kids, black or brown leather shoes, Mary Janes or small boots look right with velvet and knits. On the studio set, the same rule applies: darker, simple shoes that match the outfit's tone.

Skip light-up sneakers, neon soles and anything a child can't run in. If they can't walk in them, they'll want to be carried, and that changes the photos.

Coats for an Outdoor Shoot in November and December

Outdoors in late November and December, it's cold, so the coat is part of the outfit. Plan it like one. The sun also sets early in December, so afternoon sessions run on soft, low natural light.

• Wool coats photograph best. Camel, charcoal, navy or cream, in a simple cut.
• Puffers read bulky and shiny. If that's what the kids own, matte and dark is better than bright and glossy.
• Keep coats on until the shot. We can do a few frames with coats off, then bundle back up.
• Hats and mittens in knit, in your neutral colors, look great and keep small kids happy.

A coat-on look and a coat-off look give you two different cards from one session. For where we shoot outdoors and how the light behaves, see choosing a location for your photo shoot.

The studio set day is the opposite: it's indoors and warm, so no coats over the outfits.

What to Avoid in Christmas Family Photos

Skip anything that fights your faces for attention. Leave these at home:

• Big logos, characters and text. A sweater with words competes with your card's own greeting.
• Neon and very bright colors. They throw color onto faces and date the photo.
• Tiny, tight stripes or checks. They can shimmer on screens.
• Head-to-toe matching pajamas outdoors. Cute indoors, cold and thin in a December park.
• Brand-new shoes nobody has broken in.
• Everyone in the same color. See the anchor-plus-neutrals rule above.

If something is a family tradition, like a grandparent's knit sweater, bring it. We'll build the palette around it.

Which Christmas Session Fits Your Outfits

Your outfit plan and your session go together, so here are the three options on the holiday card photos page:

• Christmas Family Mini: $129, 20 minutes outdoors in Van Cortlandt Park or around Riverdale, 3 retouched images. Bookable November 14 to December 6.
• Christmas Studio Set Day: $229 total, 20 minutes on the Red & Gold or White Winter set, 5 retouched images. Check /minis for the open date.
• Family Portrait Session: $249, a full hour outdoors, 10 retouched images, with time to warm up and move between spots.

Everything is paid in full at booking, and rescheduling is free with 48 hours' notice. Families from lower Westchester and the Bronx can pick a date on the booking page.

FAQ

What colors are best for a Christmas family photoshoot? Burgundy, forest green and navy paired with cream, camel or brown. Put the rich color on one or two people and the neutrals on everyone else. On a red-and-gold set, lean toward green, navy or cream so you don't blend in.

Should our family wear matching outfits? No. Coordinate instead: one anchor color and two neutrals. Matching outfits make a family look like one block of color, while coordinated outfits keep each person distinct and the photo still looks planned.

What should a toddler wear for Christmas photos? Something soft and comfortable in one rich color, like a velvet shortall or a knit dress, with simple dark shoes. Test it at home first and bring spare socks or tights.

Do we need coats for an outdoor Christmas photoshoot? Yes, in late November and December plan for them. Choose simple wool coats in your palette and we'll take a few frames with coats off. On the indoor studio set day, you won't need coats.