Ideas and Inspiration for What to Wear during Studio Pictures with Santa Claus
Santa Claus (will be) coming to town! Every year I offer a weekend of back-to-back Santa Claus mini sessions. These sessions are always so much fun. Santa is the real deal and these photos are far from the mall Santa photos we all grew up with! And every year my clients are thrilled to come back to the studio for these portraits. But the most common thing I am asked when it comes to these pictures with Santa is “What should we wear?” So here is my guide to styling these Santa Claus portraits!
Every year I switch up the actual set designs a little bit. But one thing that doesn’t change is that they are festive and cozy. Another thing that won’t change this year is that there will be one light backdrop and one darker backdrop. Typically in a session we will get some photos with each of these backgrounds. However if you really prefer one over the other we can stick with that one throughout your session!
Casual Clothing Ideas for Photos with Santa
When it comes to styling photos with Santa I am a HUGE proponent of wearing pajamas. I think they look so adorable in these photos. Plus it gives a very night before Christmas or Christmas morning feel to the photos. And of course my heart belongs to matching pajamas (especially when parents wear their matching ones and jump into a photo!). Hanna Andersson has become iconic when it comes to matching Christmas pajamas. The Children’s Place has a ton of options too. I’ve included links to some of my favorites for inspiration (click on the picture to learn more!). Please note I did not photograph the 5 pajama photos below.
If you’re not into the pajama ideas but still want to keep it more on the casual side, there is always the option of cozy sweaters and jeans. Nothing says cozy Christmas quite like a fair isle sweater. And the great thing is they’re super easy to find once you start getting into the holiday season. Gap, H&M, Target all have seasonal options every year. I’m linking some of my top picks I’ve found so far this year, but there are so many choices you can check out your favorite children’s clothing stores!
And if you want to add a little extra festive fun: Santa hats! They add extra Christmas cheer to any outfit.
More Formal Options for Santa Photos
If pajamas or casual looks aren’t your ideal option when it comes to what to wear for your photos with Santa, there are still plenty of options. I went more of a formal route for my girls last year, too. These nostalgic vintage-inspired plaid Christmas dresses were actually an Amazon find! So this is officially your reminder not to forget Amazon. Plaid is definitely a popular Christmas and Santa photo print option. Whether you choose red, green, or go with a more neutral option like navy. You really can’t go wrong with plaid! Tartan, buffalo plaid, gingham, so many options for plaid and they’re all great for the holidays.
Another great idea for more formal looks for these Christmas photos is about the accessories. Knee high socks and Mary Janes like my girls wore. Or a sparkly headband or bow. Little bits of glitter and gold can add an extra festive touch. Bowties and vests are another option for boys. Anything that makes these photos feel extra special for you is a great option!
Wondering what to wear for your child’s pictures with Santa? Whether you’re looking for a casual look or something more formal we have you covered. Crabapple Photography is located in Andover and serves clients from around the area including Burlington, Bedford, Boston, Concord and beyond. Kate McKenna has been photographing babies and children of all ages since 2009. Contact Kate today to learn more.
