What to Wear for Christmas Photos at Little Patch of Paradise
There’s something about a classic Christmas setting that never gets old. A festive porch, traditional holiday decorations, and little ones dressed up for the season make for the kind of photos you'll want to pull out year after year.
If you're joining me at Little Patch of Paradise for Christmas photos, you might be wondering what everyone should wear. With its white front porch, festive red decorations, and surrounding greenery, this location is perfect for outfits that feel warm, timeless, and a little nostalgic.
The good news? You don't need matching Christmas pajamas or an entirely new wardrobe to pull together a beautiful look for your family. A few thoughtful color choices and a mix of textures can go a long way.
Here's where I'd start!
1. Embrace Classic Christmas Colors
Little Patch of Paradise is a great place to lean into traditional Christmas colors. The red decorations on the white porch already bring plenty of holiday charm, so your outfits can complement the setting without everyone needing to dress in red and green.
Some of my favorite color combinations for this location include:
**Burgundy, cream, and brown:**
Rich, warm, and timeless.
**Forest green, ivory, and camel:**
Festive without feeling overly themed.
**Deep red, navy, and cream:**
A classic combination with a little contrast.
**Olive, oatmeal, and chocolate brown:**
A softer, earthier take on Christmas.
**Burgundy, dusty blue, and denim:**
A lovely option for families who want color without going all-in on traditional red and green.
If you're drawn to red, this is absolutely the place to wear it! A burgundy dress or a deep red sweater can look beautiful against the white porch. You can balance those richer colors with cream knits, brown shoes, or neutral outfits for the rest of the family.
2. Three Family Outfit Ideas to Try
Sometimes the hardest part of planning photos is figuring out how everyone's outfits will work together. These combinations are a great starting point.
Classic and festive
Picture mom in a burgundy midi dress with brown boots, dad in a cream sweater and dark denim, and the kids in forest green, cream, or muted red.
This palette feels unmistakably Christmas without looking like everyone is wearing a uniform. It's especially lovely for photos in front of the decorated porch.
Cozy and neutral
If your style leans more understated, try an ivory or oatmeal sweater for mom, a camel or chocolate brown layer for dad, and cream, olive, or warm neutral outfits for the kids.
The red decorations will bring the holiday color into the photos, while your outfits keep the overall look soft and natural.
Traditional with a little personality
Love plaid? A subtle tartan skirt, a plaid button-down, or a child's classic holiday dress can add a festive touch without overwhelming the photos.
Pair one patterned piece with solid colors for the rest of the family. Burgundy, forest green, cream, and brown are all easy colors to build around.
3. What About Wearing Red and Green Together?
You absolutely can! The trick is to vary the shades and let each person wear something a little different.
Instead of dressing everyone in bright red and bright green, try pairing burgundy with forest green, cream, and brown. These deeper, softer shades feel cohesive and photograph beautifully against the greenery.
You can also choose one dominant color and use the others as accents. For example, mom might wear burgundy, dad might wear cream and brown, and the kids might wear forest green and ivory.
The result is coordinated without being overly matched.
4. Don't Forget About Texture
Color is important, but texture is what helps an outfit feel complete.
For Christmas sessions, I love the look of:
- Chunky knit sweaters and cable knits
- Velvet dresses and hair bows
- Corduroy pants and skirts
- Soft cardigans and layered knits
- Classic denim paired with warm neutrals
These pieces add depth and a cozy, seasonal feel without needing bold patterns or elaborate accessories.
You don't need every family member in a sweater, either. Mixing a flowy dress with a knit cardigan, or pairing corduroy pants with a simple button-down, creates a more natural look.
5. A Few Additional Styling Tips
**Cream and ivory are great choices.** You don't need to avoid light colors, but incorporating different textures or warmer shades will help your outfits stand out against the white porch.
**Red doesn't need to be everyone's color.** One or two red or burgundy outfits can create a beautiful focal point while the rest of the family wears neutrals, greens, or brown.
**Think about your shoes, too.** Brown boots, loafers, Mary Janes, and simple neutral shoes can finish an outfit without distracting from the overall look.
**Dress for comfort.** Especially with little ones, choose outfits they can move and play in. A child who feels comfortable is much more likely to enjoy the session, and those relaxed moments are often the ones families love most.
6. What If You Don't Want to Dress Up?
You don't have to wear a fancy dress or a perfectly coordinated outfit to have beautiful Christmas photos.
A favorite sweater, dark denim, simple boots, and a few complementary colors can look just as lovely. If your family is more casual, lean into that. The goal is to look like yourselves, just a little more thoughtfully put together.
And if your kids have a special holiday outfit they're excited to wear, let's find a way to make it work!
Let's Make Some Christmas Memories
The best part of Christmas photos isn't whether every outfit matches perfectly. It's capturing your family in this season of life, with all the little expressions, cuddles, and moments that make it yours.
Little Patch of Paradise is such a beautiful setting for classic, festive Christmas photos, and I can't wait to see what you put together.
If you're booked for a session, start with one outfit you love and build the rest of the family's looks around it. You don't need to overthink it!
**Ready for your Christmas photos at Little Patch of Paradise?**
I can't wait to capture a little holiday magic with your family!
