The Complete Guide to Planning Family Holiday Photos in Los Angeles
Holiday portraits can reflect the activities and relationships that make the season meaningful. This playful kitchen scene brings generations together for cookie making, laughter and a family photograph that feels personal rather than overly posed.
Family holiday photos may look effortless, but the most successful sessions usually involve thoughtful planning. Choosing a photographer, coordinating everyone’s clothing, selecting a color palette and scheduling the session early can make the entire experience more relaxed.
This complete guide will help you plan your family holiday photos from beginning to end. It covers when to book, how to choose a portrait style, what everyone should wear, which outfit mistakes to avoid, what to bring on session day and when to order your holiday cards.
Planning is especially important for families in Los Angeles, where holiday photography schedules can begin filling months before December. Families from Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Tujunga and throughout the San Fernando Valley often begin preparing while it still feels like summer.
Whether you are creating your annual Christmas card, documenting a growing family or updating portraits that include grandparents and pets, early preparation gives you more choices and fewer last-minute decisions. The goal is not to make your photographs feel overly planned. It is to take care of the practical details beforehand so your family can relax, connect and enjoy the experience.
Why Families Should Plan Holiday Photos Early
Holiday photo season arrives earlier than many families expect. Although Christmas may still feel far away in August or September, photographers begin reserving fall sessions well before families start ordering cards or decorating their homes.
Planning early gives you a better selection of session dates, portrait styles and photographers. Weekend appointments are especially limited because most families need sessions outside school and work hours. Waiting until November may mean accepting whatever appointment remains instead of choosing the date that works best for your family.
An early session also gives you time to coordinate clothing without rushing. You can choose a color palette, check that children’s outfits still fit, order missing pieces and make changes if something does not look right when everyone tries it on together.
Your photographs will also need to be edited and delivered before you can design holiday cards, order prints or select gifts for grandparents. Card companies and professional photography labs become busier as December approaches, and shipping deadlines leave little room for delays.
Planning ahead is particularly useful when:
Several family members must coordinate their schedules.
Grandparents or extended family will participate.
You want a popular weekend appointment.
Children need new clothing or shoes.
You plan to order custom cards, albums or framed portraits.
Your family wants time for an outfit change.
You are including a dog that may need grooming or practice before the session.
For most Los Angeles families, the best approach is to reserve the photographer first and plan clothing afterward. A confirmed date creates a clear deadline for every other decision while still leaving enough time to prepare without turning the session into a source of stress.
Your Holiday Photo Planning Timeline
A clear timeline prevents holiday portraits from becoming another last-minute December task. Exact dates will vary by photographer and card company, but this schedule gives most Los Angeles families enough time to plan comfortably.
July and August: Research and Reserve Your Photographer
Begin looking at photographers, session options and holiday sets. Review complete galleries rather than judging a photographer by only a few favorite images. Once you find the right fit, reserve your session before the most convenient fall dates fill.
This is also the time to decide whether you want traditional, elegant, cozy, formal or pajama-style portraits.
August and September: Choose Your Color Palette and Clothing
Select a color palette that complements your photographer’s set. Begin with one person’s outfit—often Mom’s—and build the rest of the family’s clothing around it.
Order clothing early enough to allow for shipping delays, exchanges and alterations. Have everyone try on complete outfits together, including shoes and accessories.
For detailed wardrobe help, see the Complete Holiday Family Outfit Guide.
September and October: Prepare the Family
Schedule haircuts far enough in advance that they do not look freshly cut on session day. Arrange grooming for pets, confirm plans with grandparents and begin preparing young children for what will happen.
If you are planning an outfit change, organize both looks completely so no pieces are forgotten.
October and Early November: Attend Your Holiday Session
This is the ideal period for many family holiday sessions. It provides time for professional editing, gallery delivery and holiday card ordering without pushing everything into December.
Indoor holiday sessions also avoid relying on unpredictable fall weather and changing daylight.
Early to Mid-November: Select Photographs and Order Cards
Choose your card image as soon as your gallery is delivered. Check the card company’s production and shipping estimates before ordering, especially if you want specialty paper, foil, custom addressing or upgraded envelopes.
Order albums, framed portraits and grandparent gifts early as well. Custom photographic products usually require more production time than standard prints.
Late November and Early December: Address and Mail Cards
Prepare your mailing list while your photographs are being edited. Once the cards arrive, you can address and send them without another delay.
Families mailing cards internationally or across the country should send them earlier than families distributing cards locally.
A useful rule is to work backward from the date you want your cards to arrive. Allow time for photography, editing, card design, printing, shipping, addressing and mailing—not only the session itself.
Choosing the Right Holiday Photographer
Holiday photographs often become part of your family’s cards, gifts and home décor, so choosing a photographer involves more than finding someone with an available appointment. Look for a professional whose style, experience and session structure fit your family.
Review Complete Galleries
Social media usually shows a photographer’s strongest individual images. A complete gallery gives you a better sense of consistency, posing, lighting, expressions and variety.
Look closely at how the photographer works with families similar to yours. If you are bringing young children, grandparents or a dog, the portfolio should demonstrate an ability to photograph different ages and groupings successfully.
You can view examples in my family holiday portrait portfolio.
Choose a Style You Genuinely Like
Some photographers create bright and playful images, while others produce darker, dramatic or more formal portraits. Editing styles also vary from natural and timeless to heavily filtered.
Consider whether the photographer’s work will still appeal to you years from now. Holiday decorations can provide seasonal atmosphere without allowing the setting to overwhelm the people in the portrait.
Consider the Session Experience
Ask what the session includes before booking:
How long is the appointment?
How many edited images are included?
Can parents and siblings participate?
Is an outfit change allowed?
Are clothing or styling recommendations provided?
When will the finished gallery be delivered?
Are prints, cards or albums available?
What happens if a child becomes overwhelmed or needs a break?
A short session can work well when the photographer has a clear plan and knows how to guide families efficiently. However, the experience should still allow enough time for children to settle in and for the photographer to create more than one family arrangement.
Look for Experience With Children
Photographing children requires patience, flexibility and realistic expectations. Young children may need time to explore the set, warm up to the photographer or take a brief break.
A skilled family photographer does not depend on every child sitting still and smiling on command. Games, movement, prompts and interaction can produce natural expressions while keeping the session moving.
My background as a special education teacher, Certified Professional Photographer and experienced newborn and child photographer shapes the calm, child-centered approach used during my Los Angeles family holiday sessions.
Understand What You Are Paying For
When comparing prices, compare the complete service rather than the session fee alone. Consider the photographer’s experience, preparation, set design, lighting, editing, number of finished images and included products.
The least expensive option may not provide the style, consistency or support your family needs. The right photographer should make the planning process clearer and create finished portraits that feel like your family—not simply move people through a holiday set.
Choosing Your Holiday Portrait Style
Before selecting clothing or a color palette, decide how you want your finished holiday portraits to feel. Your preferred style will influence the setting, outfits, accessories and level of formality.
Think about where the photographs will be used. A playful image may be ideal for a holiday card, while a more formal portrait may work better as framed artwork displayed throughout the year.
Traditional Christmas
Traditional holiday portraits use familiar Christmas colors and decorations, including evergreen, cranberry, burgundy, cream, gold and touches of red.
Clothing can range from dressy casual to formal, but coordinated outfits usually photograph better than identical matching clothes. Traditional portraits are a strong choice for families who want their photographs to feel unmistakably festive.
Elegant Holiday
An elegant holiday style is polished, refined and less dependent on bright seasonal colors. Deep green, navy, black, champagne, ivory, burgundy and muted metallics work especially well.
Moms and girls might wear dresses, while dads and boys can choose dress shirts, sweaters, jackets or tailored trousers. Velvet, satin, lace and subtle sparkle add visual interest without overpowering the portrait.
This style works well for framed artwork, albums and formal holiday cards.
Cozy Christmas
Cozy portraits feel warm, relaxed and connected. Soft sweaters, knit dresses, corduroy, layered clothing and comfortable fabrics complement this style.
A cozy wardrobe does not have to mean oversized or shapeless clothing. Choose garments that fit well and create warmth through texture and layering. Cream, camel, forest green, muted red and warm brown can create an inviting palette.
Formal Holiday
Formal portraits are more structured than elegant holiday photographs. They may include suits, jackets, ties, floor-length dresses or classic children’s clothing.
This style works especially well for multigenerational portraits and families who want to create an heirloom rather than only a seasonal snapshot. Formal clothing should still allow children to move comfortably and sit without constant adjustment.
Christmas Pajamas
Pajama portraits are playful and relaxed, particularly for families with young children. They work well with bedroom, fireplace, cookie or Christmas-morning settings.
Choose pajamas with simple patterns and a limited color palette. Large words, cartoon characters and competing prints can distract from faces. Pajamas should fit properly rather than appearing excessively loose.
Matching pajamas can work because they are part of the visual concept, although coordinated pajamas can create more variety.
Combining Two Styles
When a session includes an outfit change, families can create two different looks. One option is to begin with formal or coordinated clothing and then change into Christmas pajamas for a relaxed second set of images.
Keep both wardrobes organized separately, including shoes, socks, accessories and undergarments. The second outfit should be easy to change into so that wardrobe adjustments do not take up a large portion of the session.
The best holiday style is one that fits both your family and the photographer’s setting. Once that direction is established, choosing clothing and colors becomes much easier.
What Everyone Should Wear for Family Holiday Photos
Holiday outfits should coordinate with one another and complement the portrait setting without making every family member look identical. The objective is to create balance through color, formality and texture while allowing each person to wear something comfortable and flattering.
This section provides a brief starting point. For detailed outfit formulas, color combinations and age-specific guidance, use the Complete Holiday Family Outfit Guide.
What Mom Should Wear
It is often easiest to select Mom’s outfit first and build the family’s wardrobe around it. Choose something that fits well, feels comfortable and reflects the intended level of formality.
Dresses with defined waists, wrap silhouettes, structured sleeves or flowing skirts tend to photograph well. Velvet, lace, satin and soft knits can add texture. Avoid choosing an outfit solely because it matches the set; Mom should also feel confident wearing it.
What Dad Should Wear
Dad’s outfit should support the family palette without exactly matching another person. A fitted sweater, button-down shirt, sports jacket or suit can work depending on the style of the session.
Dark trousers, khakis and tailored pants generally photograph better than distressed jeans or athletic clothing. Layers add dimension, but jackets and sweaters should fit properly through the shoulders and waist.
What Girls Should Wear
Girls can wear dresses, skirts, tailored trousers or coordinated separates. Velvet dresses, classic holiday plaids, soft knits and subtle metallic details work especially well.
Check dress length and fit while the child is sitting, standing and moving. Hair bows, headbands and small accessories can complete an outfit, but they should not compete with the child’s face.
What Boys Should Wear
Boys can wear sweaters, collared shirts, vests, jackets or suits. Chinos, corduroy trousers and dark tailored pants provide a polished alternative to everyday jeans.
Avoid stiff clothing that makes sitting or movement uncomfortable. Shirts should remain tucked in when appropriate, and trousers should be the correct length when worn with the selected shoes.
What Babies and Toddlers Should Wear
Comfort and fit are especially important for babies and toddlers. Clothing that is too large can bunch around the face, hide hands or shift while the child is being held.
Choose soft fabrics, simple layers and outfits that allow easy movement. Rompers, knit sets, suspender outfits and comfortable dresses photograph well. Avoid scratchy materials, tight collars and accessories that the child repeatedly tries to remove.
Bring a clean backup outfit for babies and toddlers in case of spills or accidents.
What Grandparents Should Wear
Grandparents should follow the same color palette and formality level as the immediate family. They do not need to match one another, but their outfits should feel connected to the larger group.
Solid colors and subtle textures usually work well. Avoid placing every grandparent in the same dark shade, as this can create a heavy block of color within the portrait.
Families planning an extended-family session can find additional guidance in How to Plan Three-Generation Holiday Photos.
Shoes, Socks and Accessories
Shoes are visible in many full-length and seated portraits. Select them at the same time as the clothing rather than treating them as an afterthought.
Check socks, tights, belts, jewelry and hair accessories before session day. Athletic shoes, bright socks and smartwatch bands can draw attention away from an otherwise coordinated wardrobe.
Coordinate Instead of Matching
Begin with three or four complementary colors and distribute them across the family. Repeat each color in more than one place without putting everyone in the same shirt or pattern.
Vary textures and garment styles while maintaining a consistent level of formality. One person should not arrive in a formal dress while another wears a casual graphic T-shirt.
For a step-by-step method, see How to Coordinate Family Outfits for Holiday Photos. The complete style guide also includes specific recommendations for moms, dads, boys, girls, babies, shoes, accessories and common wardrobe mistakes.
Holiday Color Palettes
Choosing a color palette before shopping makes it easier to coordinate the family without putting everyone in matching clothes. A palette provides several related colors that can be distributed across clothing, shoes and accessories.
Begin with three to five colors. Include at least one neutral, one deeper grounding color and one or two accent colors. For example, a palette might combine cream and khaki with pine green, burgundy and a small amount of gold.
The colors should also complement the holiday setting. Traditional Christmas sets work well with evergreen, cranberry, cream and warm brown. Elegant settings may suit navy, champagne, black, ivory or burgundy. Cozy settings often pair well with camel, oatmeal, forest green and muted red.
Some holiday palettes to consider include:
Classic Christmas
Maroon, pine green, cream and khaki create a traditional combination that feels festive without requiring everyone to wear bright red.
Frosted Cranberry
Cranberry, dusty rose, soft cream, muted green and warm brown create a softer interpretation of classic Christmas colors.
Cozy Chimney
Warm neutrals, brick red, caramel, cream and deep brown work well for fireplace, kitchen and other cozy indoor settings.
Gilded Garland
Soft apricot, fresh sage, deep evergreen, warm caramel and muted pine create an understated palette with warmth and natural variation.
Santa’s Workshop
Rich traditional colors create a playful holiday look that works especially well with wood, garland and classic Christmas decorations.
Do not divide the colors evenly among every person. Instead, repeat each important color in two or three places. A child’s burgundy dress might connect with Dad’s patterned shirt, while Mom’s cream dress relates to another child’s cream sweater.
Patterns can be included, but one or two patterned garments are usually enough. Use the remaining outfits to repeat colors found within those patterns.
For additional combinations and visual swatches, visit the complete Holiday Family Photo Color Palette Guide. For instructions on assigning colors and outfits to each family member, see the Complete Holiday Family Outfit Guide.
Common Holiday Photo Outfit Mistakes
Even a beautiful color palette can become distracting when clothing is uncomfortable, poorly fitted or overly coordinated. Use this quick guide to identify the most common outfit mistakes before your family’s holiday session.
A little preparation can prevent the most common holiday photo problems. Book early, coordinate everyone’s clothing together, choose shoes in advance, protect young children’s nap schedules and aim for complementary outfits instead of dressing everyone exactly alike.
Holiday Session Day Checklist
Use this checklist before leaving home to make sure everyone is prepared, comfortable and ready for a smooth family holiday photo session.
A calm session begins before your family arrives. Give everyone enough time to get ready, check clothing and grooming, eat a good meal, stay hydrated and allow extra travel time so you can arrive relaxed and enjoy the experience.
Holiday Card Deadlines
Everyone enjoys getting a card in the mail that you hand addressed. Follow these timelines to be sure you get your cards off on time. And remember, according to basic Christmas etiquette, you actually have until Epiphany (January 6 each year) to get your cards delivered.
Work backward from the date you want friends and relatives to receive your holiday cards. Schedule your photography session by September, take your portraits in October, order cards in early November and mail them by late November or early December.
Holiday Photo Mistakes Families Make
Most holiday photo problems come from waiting too long, rushing wardrobe decisions or overlooking children’s routines. A little advance planning can prevent these common mistakes and create a calmer, more enjoyable session.
Avoiding a few common mistakes can make holiday photo planning much easier. Reserve your session early, coordinate outfits as a group, remember the shoes, protect young children’s nap schedules and choose complementary clothing instead of matching everyone exactly.
.
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Holiday Photos
When should we book our holiday photo session?
Reserve your session as early as possible, especially if you need a weekend appointment. Many families begin booking in August or September and complete their portraits in October or early November. This leaves enough time for editing, holiday card printing and gift orders.
Can grandparents come to the session?
Grandparents can make holiday portraits especially meaningful. Tell your photographer when booking so there is enough time to plan extended-family arrangements, grandparent portraits and smaller groupings.
For more guidance, see How to Plan Three-Generation Holiday Photos.
Should everyone wear matching clothes?
Everyone does not need to match exactly. Choose three to five complementary colors and distribute them throughout the family’s clothing. Coordinated outfits create variety while still making the finished portrait feel cohesive.
Matching pajamas can work when they are part of a deliberate Christmas-morning or bedtime theme. For most other portraits, coordination photographs better than identical clothing.
Are indoor or outdoor holiday photos better?
Indoor holiday sessions provide a controlled setting with dependable lighting, comfortable temperatures and no weather concerns. They also allow families to use decorated Christmas settings that immediately create a festive look.
Outdoor portraits can provide natural scenery and more space, but they depend on weather, daylight and location conditions. The right choice depends on the appearance you want and the needs of your children.
What if my child will not cooperate?
Children do not need to sit perfectly still or smile on command throughout the session. A child-centered photographer can use conversation, movement, games and family interaction to create natural expressions.
Protect naps and mealtimes whenever possible, avoid putting pressure on the child and allow the photographer to guide the interaction. Some of the most meaningful photographs happen between posed moments.
How many outfits should we bring?
One carefully planned outfit is enough for most holiday sessions. If your session includes an outfit change, bring no more than two complete looks.
A common approach is to begin with coordinated or formal clothing and change into Christmas pajamas for a relaxed second style. Organize each outfit separately before arriving so the change can happen quickly.
Can we bring our dog?
Dogs can be included when the photographer and location permit pets. Discuss this before booking so the photographer can plan the set, posing and session timing appropriately.
Bring a leash, waste bags, water, small treats and another adult who can manage the dog when it is not being photographed. Groom the dog beforehand and practice basic sit-and-stay commands, but do not expect perfect behavior. The goal is to include the dog naturally as part of the family.
