A Photographer’s Guide to Santa Session Outfits (Without Going Full Matchy-Matchy)
A little secret about me: my kids almost never match. Or even coordinate. Evan always looks snazzy, but we’re lucky if Zeke has two shoes that match and is wearing pants, Mimi will have on six sweatshirts, and Gracie might have changed sometime last week. It’s never what you imagine as a photographer’s family (trust me, I’ve looked at us and laughed). Even my family needs direct guidance when it comes to our photo worthy Santa session outfits.
Here’s the thing about Santa session outfits. Search for ideas and you’ll find a wall of matching plaid pajamas, identical red sweaters, and families dressed like a set of holiday mugs. And if that’s your thing, no judgement (it’s a whole tradition, and it can be super fun). But if you’ve ever looked at those photos and thought “that’s not really us,” you’re not alone.
Hey friend, I’m Markie, a documentary family and wedding photographer based in Bonney Lake, Washington.
I have been documenting families across the Pacific Northwest since 2010, and since 2013 I’ve photographed hundreds of children meeting Santa for the first time. The nervous ones, the shy ones, and the ones who aren’t quite sure about the man in the big red suit are some of my absolute favorites to document. I know how much this moment matters, so today I’m sharing everything I’ve learned from photographing Santa session outfits over the years.
So, here’s the same guidance I give my own crew: what photographs beautifully, what keeps everyone comfortable, and what keeps the focus on your people instead of your patterns.
Santa Session Outfits 101: Pick a Palette, not a Uniform
Know what you’re standing next to – Santa always wears a classic red suit and black boots, just like you’d expect to find with the mall Santa. Our setup this year features classic red and green decor with natural elements and cozy fur rugs. That’s already a lot of color in the frame, so the best Santa session outfits are the ones that sit quietly alongside it instead of competing with it.
Coordinate, don’t copy – The goal is outfits that look like they belong in the same room, not outfits that look like a team jersey. Pick 2 or 3 colors and let everyone wear a different mix of them. In photos, matching outfits tend to blur your family into one block, while coordinated outfits let each person stand out on their own (which is the whole point).
Neutrals always win – Creams, oatmeals, soft browns, grays, and muted greens in Santa session outfits photograph beautifully every single time. They let skin tones glow, they don’t fight with Santa’s red suit or the red and green set, and they won’t feel dated when you pull these photos out in 10 years. If you want a little color, let one or two people wear it and keep everyone else soft around them.
Solids over patterns – I know, the buffalo check is calling your name. But big or busy patterns pull the eye away from faces, and some small patterns do strange things on camera. A solid lets your kid’s expression be the first thing anyone sees. If you love a pattern, keep it to one person and make it subtle.
Skip the graphics – Big characters, logos, and words on shirts pull the eye the same way busy patterns do. Your kid might LOVE that dinosaur shirt (and that’s totally fine for every other day of the year), but in a Santa photo, it ends up being the first thing anyone reads. Save the favorite tee for the ride home.
You don’t have to get expensive – Personally, I love the Granimals section at Walmart when buying Santa session outfits for little ones, and they always have neutral colors for Dads too. Moms can be harder, but finding a cute top at Target is pretty simple. (And moms, keep reading, because I’ve got an even easier option for you.) Check out our Pinterest inspiration board here!
Dress for The Cottage
Think light layers – The Santa set lives in a small, cozy space, and with Santa, the lights, and your whole crew in there… it gets warm. Here’s my test: if it’s warm enough that Mimi will take off a sweatshirt (it will be), we know the rest of us will be overheating by minute 2. Light sweaters and henleys are my favorite. They still look wintery and soft in photos, without anyone melting halfway through.
Skip the heavy stuff – Chunky knits, thick flannel, and anything you’d wear to shovel snow will have your kids pink-cheeked and cranky (and not the cute kind of pink-cheeked). A sweaty, uncomfortable kid shows it on their face, and no amount of editing fixes that. Save the heavy sweaters for the drive over.
Shoes are optional – We have little ones who touch the floors, so we ask that you remove muddy or dirty shoes at the door. The path to The Cottage can get muddy (we’re trying to bring in gravel ahead of time, but the weather here makes that difficult). Feel free to bring matching socks, slippers, or a clean change of shoes to wear during your session. Cozy socks on a fur rug? That’s a Santa photo.
Let the Kids Be Kids
Room to move – Kids sit on laps, wiggle, climb, reach for Santa’s beard, and sometimes make a run for the door. Choose outfits they can actually move in. If they can’t sit cross-legged or raise their arms in it, it’s going to fight them the whole session.
No one stuffy – That goes for the grown-ups too. Stiff collars, scratchy fabric, and shoes that pinch all show up in photos as tight shoulders and forced smiles. If your kid (or husband) already hates the Santa session outfit at home, they will REALLY hate it in front of a man in a red suit. Comfortable people relax, and relaxed people look like themselves.
Bring a backup outfit – Spills, snacks, and diaper blowouts love to happen on the drive over. Pack a second outfit for your little ones, ideally one that fits your palette too, so a surprise doesn’t mean a scramble. You’ll probably never need it. But if you do, you’ll be SO glad it’s in the car.
For the babies – First Christmas? Soft knits are your best friend. Bare feet or tights work beautifully (and tiny toes on a fur rug are hard to beat). Skip anything that rides up when they’re held or bunches around their middle, because babies spend most of the session in someone’s arms or on Santa’s lap.
Remember: this is supposed to be fun, and the plan doesn’t always go to plan. Teddy was so excited to meet Santa last year, but when the moment arrived, he decided to run anywhere Santa wasn’t. Ha. Eventually he sat in the chair and we snuck Santa in behind him. Kids who can move freely can also recover quickly, and that’s what got us the shot.
Moms, I’ve Got You Covered
The client closet – Here’s the part that makes moms breathe a big sigh of relief. We currently have about 10 dresses in various sizes, and you can view what’s in stock in the Client Closet. If you’d like to borrow something, just make an appointment ahead of time. I’m always adding items, so there may be a few things I haven’t photographed yet (it’s worth asking). And the best part? The client closet is always included in your session fee.
Keep makeup light – The old rule about applying heavy makeup for the camera no longer exists. Cameras today pick up detail beautifully, and heavy makeup can actually make moms look more tired than they already are. Go with your everyday look, maybe with a little extra polish.
Do your hair – If there’s one thing worth the time, it’s this. Take time to get your hair done so you feel your best. When you feel good, it shows.
You spend all year making sure everyone else is ready. This one time, let someone else have your back.
Plan the palette, keep it light, and let everyone be comfortable. That’s it. That’s the secret.
Have a question about your family’s Santa session outfits that I didn’t cover here? Leave it in the comments. And if you’re still deciding on a session, you can see more of The Santa Experience here.