Christmas tree farm photos are one of those sessions that sound simple until you are standing in front of everyone’s closets wondering why every sweater in your house suddenly feels wrong. You want the photos to feel cozy and festive, but not like everyone was wrapped in matching plaid and dropped into a holiday card template from 2009. You want Christmas, but not costume. Coordinated, but not identical. Warm, but not bulky. Cute, but still able to survive real children, cold fingers, muddy shoes, and the emotional negotiations required to get everyone into the car on time.
The good news is that Christmas tree farm photo outfits do not need to be complicated. For Christmas tree farm family photos, choose cozy layers, warm neutrals, soft textures, and colors that feel festive without overpowering the setting. Cream, camel, denim, forest green, deep red, burgundy, navy, oatmeal, brown, gray, and soft black all photograph beautifully at a tree farm. The goal is to dress your family in a way that feels timeless, comfortable, and connected to the season without letting the outfits become louder than the people wearing them.
If you are planning Christmas tree farm photos in Central Indiana, especially around Indianapolis, Carmel, Westfield, Fishers, Noblesville, Zionsville, Sheridan, or Hamilton County, you also have to dress for real Indiana weather. Tree farm sessions are beautiful, but they are still outdoor sessions. There may be cold air, damp ground, wind, pine needles, uneven paths, and at least one child who suddenly decides gloves are personally offensive. The best outfits are the ones that look good in photos and also make sense for the setting.
If you are booked for one of my Christmas tree farm mini sessions, this guide will help you plan outfits that photograph beautifully and keep the whole process feeling a little less like a holiday closet avalanche. We’ll walk through colors, layers, textures, patterns, shoes, kids’ outfits, dad outfits, and a simple formula you can use if you are feeling stuck.
Start With the Overall Feeling You Want
Before choosing specific outfits, think about how you want your Christmas tree farm photos to feel. Some families love a classic holiday look with deep greens, burgundy, cream, and cozy sweaters. Some prefer a softer neutral palette with oatmeal, camel, ivory, denim, and warm browns. Others want something a little more dressed up, with long dresses, wool coats, boots, and a polished holiday card feeling.
There is no one right answer. The best Christmas family photo outfits are the ones that feel like your family, just pulled together a little more intentionally. If your home and style lean soft, simple, and neutral, you do not need to force bright red plaid just because there are Christmas trees involved. If your family loves classic holiday color, bring in the green, burgundy, velvet, tartan, and festive layers. The tree farm already gives us the Christmas setting. Your clothing just helps set the tone.
I always recommend choosing a feeling before choosing a color palette. Cozy and casual will lead you toward sweaters, denim, boots, knit textures, and soft layers. Classic and polished might mean dresses, wool coats, button-ups, loafers, and richer colors. Playful and festive might include plaid, red accessories, patterned tights, pom hats, or a little more holiday color. Once you know the feeling, the outfits become much easier to pull together.
Choose Cozy Colors That Work With the Trees
Christmas tree farms are already full of deep green, texture, and natural color. That means your outfits do not need to scream “holiday” to look seasonal. In fact, the most timeless Christmas tree farm photo outfits usually work with the green trees instead of competing against them.
Warm neutrals are always a beautiful starting point. Cream, ivory, oatmeal, camel, taupe, gray, denim, chocolate brown, and soft black all photograph well in a tree farm setting. From there, you can add holiday color through deeper tones like forest green, burgundy, cranberry, rust, navy, or muted gold. These colors feel festive without taking over the whole image.
Bright red can work, but I would use it carefully. A deep red sweater, burgundy dress, cranberry bow, or red plaid accent can look beautiful. A very bright fire-engine-red shirt on multiple people can sometimes draw too much attention away from faces, especially against dark green trees. The goal is to look festive without turning one person into the visual emergency siren of the family photo.
If you want a softer Christmas look, try cream, camel, denim, and forest green. If you want something richer, try burgundy, navy, oatmeal, brown, and deep green. If you want classic but not too matchy, mix cream sweaters, denim, brown boots, plaid accents, and one deeper holiday color. For more help building a palette that feels cohesive without putting everyone in the same outfit, you can also read my guide to choosing a color palette for family photos.
Coordinate, But Please Don’t Match Everyone Exactly
Matching outfits can feel tempting for Christmas photos because holiday cards have trained all of us to believe there must be a family uniform. But coordinated outfits usually photograph much better than matching ones. Instead of everyone wearing the same plaid shirt or the same sweater, choose three to five colors that work together and let each person wear a different combination of those colors.
For example, one family might use cream, denim, camel, and forest green. Mom could wear a cream sweater dress with boots, dad could wear a green flannel or textured sweater with jeans, one child could wear corduroy overalls, and another could wear a knit dress or sweater in camel or oatmeal. Everyone looks connected, but no one looks like they were assigned a costume.
Another family might use burgundy, navy, gray, denim, and ivory. One person could wear a burgundy dress, another could wear a navy sweater, dad could wear a gray henley or jacket, and the kids could mix denim, knits, and small touches of pattern. The outfits feel intentional, but still natural.
The trick is to mix solids, textures, and one or two patterns. If one person is wearing a plaid dress or flannel, let the rest of the family wear mostly solids. If multiple people are wearing pattern, make sure the patterns are different in scale and not competing with each other. Christmas tree farm photos already have a busy natural background, so a little restraint goes a long way.
Add Texture Instead of Too Much Pattern
Texture is the quiet little workhorse of holiday photo outfits. It makes simple clothing feel more intentional without making the photos feel busy. Cable-knit sweaters, ribbed knits, corduroy, wool coats, denim, velvet, sherpa, waffle knit, flannel, suede, and linen all add depth and warmth to Christmas tree farm family photos.
This is especially helpful if you love neutral outfits. A family dressed in cream, camel, denim, and brown can look absolutely beautiful when the pieces have different textures. A chunky sweater, corduroy pants, a soft dress, brown boots, and a wool coat will photograph with more depth than everyone wearing flat cotton basics in similar colors.
Velvet can also be gorgeous for Christmas photos, especially for kids or dresses, but I like it best when it is used as one part of the palette rather than the entire family dressed like a holiday curtain has come to life. A velvet dress on one child, a velvet bow, or a rich velvet piece for mom can add a sweet festive touch without overwhelming the images.
Plaid is the obvious Christmas tree farm choice, and it can be beautiful. Just use it as an accent instead of the entire plan. One plaid dress, one plaid shirt, or one plaid scarf is usually enough. The trees give us plenty of pattern already, with branches, needles, rows, shadows, and texture in every direction.
Dress for Real Indiana Winter Weather
Christmas tree farm sessions in Central Indiana can be charming and chilly in the exact same breath. Sometimes we get a mild day that feels like a gift. Sometimes it is cold enough that every child suddenly needs a snack, a hug, and legal representation. Because tree farm photos happen outdoors, the best outfits are the ones that keep everyone warm enough to stay happy.
Layers are your best friend here. Sweaters, coats, cardigans, vests, tights, leggings, warm socks, boots, hats, scarves, and mittens can all work beautifully if they fit the overall look. For little kids, I would rather plan a cute warm layer from the beginning than have to throw a neon winter coat over everything halfway through the session because someone is freezing.
If coats are needed, choose coats that are photo-friendly. Wool coats, peacoats, sherpa jackets, quilted jackets, chore coats, neutral puffers, or dress coats can all work depending on your style. Try to avoid bulky coats in bright colors or shiny fabrics unless that is part of the look you want. If your child has a coat they love but it does not match, we can always do some photos with coats off and some snuggly ones with coats on, but planning ahead helps a lot.
Under-layers matter too. Tights under dresses, leggings under skirts, thermal shirts under sweaters, and warm socks inside boots can make a huge difference. Cold kids do not care that their outfit is cute. Cold kids are tiny weather attorneys, and they will make their case loudly.
Choose Shoes That Make Sense for a Tree Farm
Shoes are one of the easiest things to forget, and one of the first things that can stand out in photos if they do not fit the setting. Christmas tree farm photos usually involve walking through grass, dirt, gravel, pine needles, uneven ground, or occasionally mud. This is not the time for shoes that only work on clean floors and dry sidewalks.
Boots are usually the safest choice. Brown boots, black boots, Chelsea boots, lace-up boots, dress boots, and simple winter boots can all photograph well. Leather sneakers can also work for a more casual family, especially if they are neutral and clean. Loafers or dress shoes can be beautiful for adults or older kids if the ground is dry and the session vibe is more polished.
I would avoid bright athletic sneakers, character shoes, muddy old play shoes, or anything uncomfortable. If your child is going to spend the entire session complaining that their shoes hurt, the shoes are not worth it. Comfortable, neutral, and seasonally appropriate will win every time.
Also, check socks. I say this with love and the weary wisdom of someone who has seen many surprise socks. If your child sits down or gets picked up, socks may show. Choose socks or tights that work with the outfit instead of the neon trampoline park socks that somehow appear in every family’s laundry cycle.
Keep Kids Comfortable and Warm
Kids do not need to look like tiny adults for Christmas tree farm photos. They need to look sweet, comfortable, and able to move. Some of my favorite holiday outfits for kids include knit sweaters, corduroy pants, overalls, sweater dresses, tights, rompers, soft flannels, little wool coats, bonnets, bows, boots, and cozy layers that let them actually be children.
For babies, I love simple one-piece outfits, knits, rompers, bonnets, cardigans, and soft neutral layers. For toddlers, comfort is the whole kingdom. Avoid stiff collars, itchy sweaters, tight waistbands, slippery shoes, or anything that requires constant adjusting. If a toddler is uncomfortable, the outfit has become the villain of the session, and nobody needs that plot twist.
For bigger kids, let them have a little say when possible. Give them two or three parent-approved choices and let them pick. Kids are often much more cooperative when they feel like they had some control, even if the choices were secretly curated like a tiny boutique democracy.
Try everything on before session day. Make sure dresses are not too short for sitting or being held, pants still fit, shoes are comfortable, and no one is being personally attacked by a scratchy tag. Christmas tree farm sessions are usually shorter and seasonal, especially if you are booking minis, so comfort helps us make the most of every minute.
Don’t Forget About Dad
Dad outfits do not need to be complicated, but they do need to feel intentional. For Christmas tree farm family photos, a textured sweater, henley, flannel, casual button-up, wool coat, vest, chore jacket, or simple jacket over a neutral shirt can all work really well. Pair those with jeans, chinos, corduroy, or dark pants depending on the formality of the rest of the family.
The main thing is fit. A shirt or sweater does not need to be tight, but it should not be so oversized that it photographs bulky. Avoid shiny dress shirts, bright polos, tiny high-contrast checks, large logos, and athletic shoes unless that truly fits your family’s style. Dad should look relaxed and connected to the rest of the outfits, not like he was added to the photo five minutes before leaving the house.
A really simple formula for dad is dark jeans or chinos, a textured sweater or henley, and boots. Add a jacket if it is cold. Done. No spreadsheet required.
Plan Around the Setting, Not Just the Holiday Card
One of the biggest mistakes families make with Christmas tree farm outfits is thinking only about the holiday card and forgetting the actual location. A tree farm is not a studio backdrop. It has rows of trees, uneven ground, natural color, and lots of texture. That is what makes it beautiful, but it also means your outfits need to work with the environment.
If your session is at a Christmas tree farm in Central Indiana, think cozy, natural, and layered. Clothing that looks good outdoors will usually photograph better than clothing that only makes sense inside. A long dress with boots, a sweater with denim, a wool coat, a knit hat, a little plaid, corduroy, or warm neutral layers all feel at home in the setting.
I would be careful with outfits that are too formal for the location unless you are intentionally going for a dressier contrast. A sparkly dress can be beautiful, but it needs to make sense with the rest of the family and the tree farm setting. A full suit can work for some families, but for most tree farm sessions, relaxed polish feels better than formal holiday gala.
Use Accessories Carefully
Accessories can add charm to Christmas family photos, but they work best when they feel like part of the outfit instead of props that wandered in from the seasonal aisle. Knit hats, scarves, mittens, bows, headbands, suspenders, cardigans, coats, and blankets can all be beautiful if they fit the palette and the weather.
The key is not to overdo it. If everyone has a scarf, hat, bow, suspenders, and statement shoes, the eye does not know where to land. Choose one or two accessories that add warmth or personality. A velvet bow on a little girl, a cozy knit hat on a toddler, a beautiful scarf for mom, or a neutral blanket for snuggly family photos can all work well.
If you are bringing a blanket, choose one that matches your color palette. Cream, plaid, camel, gray, or soft neutral blankets usually work best. Avoid bright fleece blankets, busy patterns, or anything that pulls too much attention from your family.
What to Avoid Wearing for Christmas Tree Farm Photos
There are always exceptions, but in general, I would avoid neon colors, large logos, character shirts, bright athletic shoes, very shiny fabrics, overly bulky coats, and too many competing patterns. I would also avoid putting every single person in the same plaid shirt, even though the holiday section of every store will try very hard to convince you this is necessary.
Bright white can feel a little stark against trees, especially on overcast days, so ivory or cream usually works better. Very bright red can pull attention away from faces, so deeper reds, burgundy, cranberry, or muted red tones tend to photograph more softly. Thin stripes and tiny checks can also get visually busy, especially with the texture of tree branches behind you.
Most importantly, avoid anything that makes your family uncomfortable. If someone is cold, itchy, stiff, or constantly adjusting their outfit, that discomfort can show. Christmas tree farm photos should feel cozy and connected, not like everyone is enduring formalwear in a field of pine trees.
A Simple Christmas Tree Farm Outfit Formula
If you are stuck, start with one outfit you love and build from there. Choose one person’s outfit first, usually mom or one child, then pull two or three colors from that outfit for everyone else. Add texture through sweaters, denim, corduroy, wool, velvet, flannel, or knits. Choose shoes that work outdoors. Add warm layers that look intentional. Keep patterns limited to one or two people.
A simple palette might be cream, denim, camel, and forest green. Another might be burgundy, navy, gray, and ivory. Another might be oatmeal, brown, black, and soft plaid. You do not need everyone to match. You just need everyone to look like they belong together.
If you are using Style & Select, this is exactly where it can help. Instead of guessing whether everything works together, you can build a palette, choose pieces by size and style, and see outfit ideas that feel cohesive. You can read more about that here: How Style & Select Helps You Plan Family Photo Outfits.
Christmas Tree Farm Photo Outfit FAQs
What colors are best for Christmas tree farm photos?
Warm neutrals and deep seasonal colors usually photograph best for Christmas tree farm photos. Cream, ivory, camel, denim, brown, forest green, burgundy, navy, gray, oatmeal, and soft black all work beautifully against evergreen trees.
Should we all wear plaid for Christmas tree farm photos?
No. Plaid can be beautiful, but it usually works best as an accent. Try using plaid on one person, then keep the rest of the family in solids, textures, and coordinating colors so the outfits feel balanced.
Can we wear red for Christmas photos?
Yes, red can work well, especially deeper reds like burgundy, cranberry, wine, or muted red. Very bright red can sometimes overpower the photo, so I usually recommend using it thoughtfully instead of putting everyone in bright red.
What should kids wear for Christmas tree farm photos?
Kids should wear comfortable, warm outfits that let them move. Sweaters, corduroy, overalls, sweater dresses, tights, boots, rompers, flannels, bonnets, bows, and cozy coats all work well for Christmas tree farm family photos.
What shoes are best for tree farm photos?
Boots are usually the best option for Christmas tree farm photos because they work well on grass, dirt, gravel, pine needles, and uneven ground. Neutral boots, Chelsea boots, dress boots, or simple leather sneakers can all photograph well.
What should we avoid wearing for Christmas tree farm photos?
Avoid neon colors, large logos, character shirts, bright athletic shoes, too many competing patterns, very shiny fabrics, and uncomfortable clothing. It is also best to avoid dressing everyone in the same outfit.
The Heart of It
What your family wears for Christmas tree farm photos matters, but it is not the whole story. The outfits help set the tone, but the real sweetness comes from the way your kids lean into you when they are cold, the way everyone laughs while walking between the trees, the way your family feels together in this exact little season of life.
You do not need perfect outfits to have meaningful Christmas photos. You need clothing that helps everyone feel comfortable, warm, and present enough to enjoy the moment. Choose cozy layers. Pick colors that feel like your family. Let the kids wear shoes they can walk in. Bring the mittens if it is cold. Let the tree farm do what tree farms do best: give us a simple, beautiful holiday backdrop without needing to turn the whole thing into a production.
The Heart Narrative || Indianapolis Family Photographer
Photographer: Lauren Lewis || THE HEART NARRATIVE
Location: Central Indiana
Lauren Lewis is a Sheridan, Indiana-based lifestyle photographer specializing in family, newborn lifestyle, senior, maternity, milestone, and cake smash photography. Serving Carmel, Cicero, Indianapolis, Noblesville, Westfield, Sheridan, Fishers, Zionsville, and the surrounding areas.
Are you ready to book your Christmas tree farm photos with me? Let’s do it! I would love to document your family in this cozy, festive, slightly chaotic season. Simply fill out my contact form, and let’s start planning. Want to know what the session itself feels like? You can also read my guide to Christmas tree farm mini sessions in Indiana for more details.
Follow me on Pinterest for family photo outfit ideas, and check out The Journal for more Central Indiana family photography inspiration.
