What to Wear for Holiday Photos in Florida
Every year in October, my phone starts ringing with the same question: "Vasi, what should we wear for our Christmas photos?" Here in Florida, it is still warm, but your portraits should still feel like the holidays. So here are the tips I give my families, and their dogs too.
Start With the Feeling You Want
Before we talk about clothes, I always ask one thing: how do you want your holiday portrait to feel? Cozy and playful? Elegant and classic? Relaxed and beachy? Your answer tells us almost everything about the outfits.
Cozy and playful: matching pajamas, Santa hats, fun holiday socks.
Elegant and classic: deep red, navy, black, cream, a touch of gold or silver.
Relaxed Florida holiday: soft whites, light blues and neutrals, maybe a scarf, perfect for the beach or a park.
Coordinate, Don't Match
Pick two or three colors that look good together and let everyone wear something a little different. It looks more natural and more modern than everyone in the exact same shirt. One person can wear the strongest color, and the rest can wear softer tones around it.
Colors I Love for Holiday Portraits
Deep red and cream, very classic Christmas.
Navy, white and a little silver, perfect for Hanukkah or New Year's Eve.
Black and gold, elegant and dramatic, and it looks beautiful in the studio.
Forest green with neutrals, warm and timeless.
Please avoid big logos, busy prints and thin stripes. They pull the eye away from your faces.
Fabrics for Our Florida Weather
Even in December, it can be warm and humid. Choose light, breathable fabrics if we photograph outside. In the studio, you can wear sweaters, velvet, or cozy knits because we have air conditioning and no wind.
Matching Pajamas? Yes, Please!
My own family did matching pajamas one year and matching t-shirts the next. Both were so much fun. Pajamas work best in the studio, by your tree at home, or on one of my Christmas sets with the fireplace.
Don't Forget Your Dog
Pets are family, so of course they come too. Groom your dog a few days before the session so the coat looks soft and natural. If you don't have a holiday outfit for your pet, no worries. I have a treasure box of holiday scarves and hats in different sizes.
Studio or Outside?
In the studio, we can photograph in the evening after work, and the hair stays perfect. Outside, the best light is about an hour to an hour and a half before sunset, which in November and December is around 4:00. You can read more in my post about studio or outdoor holiday portraits.
Let's Plan Your Holiday Portraits
Holiday dates fill up fast, especially evenings and weekends. Call me at (561) 307-9875 and we will plan everything together, from the colors to the background. I would love to help you.
