My favourite family photos are those we take over the holidays. We're all relaxed, spending time together, and our surroundings are decorated so prettily. When it comes to taking holiday photos, a little planning goes a long way. It can mean the difference between a picture you'll want to post as your next Facebook cover photo...versus one that will end up on an "Awkward Family Photos" website! Here are some tips to help you come up with the best outfits for your kids and yourselves so your photos are perfect:
This is my favourite part because the possibilities are endless! You could opt for formal wear and choose fancy holiday outfits with lots of sparkles and faux fur. Or you could go casual and snuggle together in your coziest winter sweaters. One of my favourite traditions is a daytime shoot with the family dressed in co-ordinating festive sleepwear. Here are some matching PJs that I bought for my son and daughter from Carter’s | OshKosh. They're snuggly soft and have fun sparkly text and pretty fonts.
Many holiday photos are taken outside - with either trees or snow in the background. In these scenarios, you'll want to dress warm and make sure there's enough contrast between your outfits and your background (i.e. don't wear white if there is snow on the ground and in the background).
Indoor photos are often taken in front of holiday decor - such as a Christmas tree or a fireplace mantle. Keep your clothing patterns simple so they don't compete with the ornaments and the decor — this will make the photo look "too busy."
We've all seen those holiday photos of families dressed in identical outfits - and they're often memorable for the wrong reasons! The current trend is to co-ordinate with each other rather than match each other. This means picking a couple of complementary colours/patterns and featuring them across your outfits. If in doubt - take a peek at a colour wheel!
I went with a neutral colour scheme (grey, white, and denim) for upcoming family photos. The grey tones and stripes unify the outfits, while the different designs reflect my kids' tastes. My son adores the dino graphic on his sweater - and my daughter loves the glitter detailing on her top. To add some vibrance to their outfits, I'll be incorporating some red-toned accessories.
When your kids don't feel comfortable in what they're wearing, it will show in the photos. If I put a button-down shirt on my son, he'll be tugging at the collar every other minute! While you want your kids involved in their outfit choice, you also want to co-ordinate a cohesive look. My trick is to go shopping and pick out a couple outfits that fit with our theme. I then let my kids make their picks and return the rest.
Picking out a co-ordinating set of outfits can seem like a daunting task. Luckily, there are sources of inspiration all around us. You can search "family photo shoots" on Pinterest or scroll through holiday lookbooks on clothing websites.
You don't have to match your outfit with your inspiration exactly, but you can use it as a starting point for colour schemes or patterns you like. From there, you can modify them to suit your family. Many clothing stores have special holiday sections on their websites which make it easy to pick out co-ordinating outfits. In fact, if I'm going to a store, I often scope out the selection online so I know what to look for in-store.
I hope these tips help you find the perfect photoshoot outfits for you and your kids. I wish you an enjoyable holiday season and hope that you are blessed with amazing photos that capture your family's special moments!
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