Coordinated Christmas Outfit Ideas for the Family Photoshoot

• Red and green. Does it get more iconic than this combo? (No, it doesn’t!) Keep things feeling sophisticated by sticking to darker shades of the two colors, such as deep wine red and forest green.
• Red and black. For a bit of drama — or for more formal photos — red and black is a fail safe combination. Bonus points for incorporating the two colors in plush textures like velvet.
• Red and silver. This is another color palette that works great for more formal photos. Just be sure to keep silver as an accent color to keep things from looking space-agey.
• Red and white. As another classic palette, there are plenty of ways you can twist red and white to fit your aesthetic. Think crisp ruby red and bright white for a candy-cane effect, or go more muted with cranberry and cream for a softer look.
• Red and denim blue. Jeans are absolutely welcome in the family Christmas photo! When paired with a festive red, shades of denim are a casual way to capture your family’s holiday spirit.
• Maroon and khaki. If you’re loving the more trendy neutral look when it comes to photos, this is a great way to still incorporate a bit of color. Maroon and khaki work well with muted tones, but will bring a bit of cheer to an otherwise subdued palette.

• 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.
• Green and khaki. For an earthy, forest-inspired take on the colors of Christmas, pair deep green with shades of brown and khaki.
• Green and cream. Paring deep forest green with mostly cream outfits is a great way to add some holiday-inspired richness to a neutral palette. Or, you can keep things soft and ethereal by opting for a trendy sage and cream color palette.
• Green and burgundy. Another twist on a classic holiday pairing — look for pieces in patterns like plaid that weave the two colors together for a more modern take.

• Navy blue and yellow gold. Liven up deep dark blue by incorporating accents of gold and rich yellow. This color palette is especially perfect if you plan to take your photos in the late fall, as it will help the vibrant colors of the foliage feel cohesive.
• Powder blue and white. Dreaming of a snow-dusted Christmas morning? Then this powder blue and white palette is perfect for you. On the flip side, this combo also works well if you plan to shoot your family Christmas photos at the beach.
• Dusty blue and gray. For a casual, urban-inspired take on holiday photos, go for a palette of dusty blue (ideally in the form of lighter-wash denim jeans) and gray. To keep things interesting, look for gray pieces with textures like knit, suede, or velvet.
• Navy blue and warm brown. For an unexpected, but still classic, take on a holiday color palette, go for a combination of deep blue and warm, nutty browns. This palette should be easy for everyone to pull off using their existing wardrobe, and works for just about any shoot location.
• Blue on blue. With so many shades of blue, why choose just one? If you plan to take your photos with a busier backdrop, direct your family to pair jeans with another shade of blue for an easy, cohesive look.

No matter what type of family picture outfit you choose (theme-based, festive, or casual), colors play a crucial role in keeping your photo 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 do choose to all incorporate one color in your individual attire, make sure the color is a complementary shade on each family member. If opting for a color palette, make sure each color syncs with the other. For example, if mom chooses beige or tan, dad could choose forest green and the kids could be in rust or maroon. Just like makeup, you want color to enhance your overall look, not overwhelm it.

If looking to highlight members in your family photo, such as a newborn, dress them in a bright color or a slightly more decorative pattern. For even greater emphasis, swaddle them up in festive colors to showcase their dainty size. Choosing what to wear for your little one is especially fun since the sky’s the limit (and they don’t know how to negotiate yet!). Read through these articles for more tips on photographing children and newborns!

While color is a great way to create cohesiveness in a group image, neutrals help ground your photo. Too many varying colors can distract your Christmas card’s recipients from focusing on you and your family. If you prefer to take your family photo against a busier background, neutral Christmas outfits are a great way to contrast it. A red lip with a black top paired beautifully with a spouse’s black sweater and blue jeans. Finish the look with a cozy outfit and some red sneakers for your little one. Adding subtle peeks of a softer color can also help break up a more monotone look, whether you’re doing matching outfits or not.

Adding color to your photo is a delicate balance. Too many different colors can create visual chaos. However, the perfect color mix weaved throughout your photo will add instant polish to your overall look. We’ve outlined a few easy Christmas photo outfit ideas that incorporate some of our favorite palettes:

• For a more traditional Christmas look with an elevated modern take, turn to earthy palettes. Colors like forest green, rust, and tan group beautifully together.
• For a softer aesthetic, look to muted colors for inspiration. Dusty blue, blush, and sage are trending with brides in 2022. Accompanied by white and light gray, against a snowy backdrop, these stylish family picture outfits will transport your family into a winter wonderland.
• For an elegant ambiance, jewel tones are your best bet for Christmas photo outfits that flatter any complexion. Rich colors like burgundy, golden yellow, and emerald will add great depth to everyone’s outfits.

INDOOR OUTFITS

Indoor Christmas outfits tend to have more wiggle room and flexibility when it comes to your family’s choices, because you don’t need to pay so much attention to the weather outside while you’re shooting. One thing to keep in mind? Indoor shoot locations tend to have more colors, patterns, and textures going on in the background — so be sure to think about the colors of the furniture and decor you’ll be shooting in front of when choosing a palette for your family photos.

Here are some Christmas outfit ideas for an indoor photoshoot:

• Show off those holiday-print PJs. Whether they’re matching onesies or mismatched pieces, take the efficient route and wake up in your outfits. This is a great idea if you have little kids, or are a family where weekly movie nights are non-negotiable. Getting the family pet in cute Christmas PJs is always a winning idea, too.
• Go glamorous. There’s no reason why you can’t dress up for indoor photos too. Since you’re able to better control the temperature inside, go for that luxe dress you were hoping to wear all holiday season. Channel your inner front cover magazine dreams (or favorite Kardashian-Jenner holiday photo) and model by your fireplace in extravagant Christmas photo outfits.
• Be comfortable, casual, and timeless. Cream and white sweaters paired with jeans are great closet staples to take advantage of. Don’t own any sweaters? A white t-shirt will do the trick just as well.