What to Wear: Christmas Tree Farm Style Guide

Christmas tree farm sessions are easily some of the most magical photos of the year! Between rows of lush evergreen pine, soft winter light, and cozy holiday energy, it’s a stunning backdrop. However, tree farms come with unique styling considerations—from bright green foliage to uneven ground and chilly winter air.


To help you look effortlessly polished while keeping your gallery feeling elevated, romantic, and timeless, here is your guide to styling your family for our tree farm session!


1. Soft Neutrals & Earthy Tones (Skip Stark Whites & Heavy Dark Colors)

My editing style thrives on warm, natural light and soft, organic tones. At a tree farm, green is your dominant backdrop, so we want your outfits to softly complement the natural environment.

  • Earthy & Muted Palettes: Focus on soft, creamy neutrals like oatmeal, warm camel, taupe, soft sage, muted rust, terracotta, muted maroons, and dusty rose.
  • Avoid Stark Whites: Bright, stark white can blow out in light and create too harsh of a contrast. Opt for ivory, soft cream, or warm alabaster instead.
  • Keep Dark Colors Minimal: While a small accent of a deeper tone (like cognac leather, muted maroon, or soft charcoal) can ground a look, avoid dressing anyone in head-to-toe dark colors like black or heavy navy, as they can feel dark on camera and hide subtle details.


2. Elevate with Luxurious Fabrics, Rich Textures & Subtle Prints

The secret to an elevated, high-end family gallery is playing with varied fabrics and rich textures rather than relying on heavy, high-contrast graphics or bold geometric prints.

  • Silks & Flowy Fabrics: Silk, satin, or delicate chiffon skirts and dresses catch the soft winter light and add romantic movement against the structured pine trees.
  • Cozy Textures: Pair polished, smooth fabrics like silk with soft chunky knits, ribbed wool, waffle weaves, velvet, or fine corduroy to create depth.
  • Keep Patterns Delicate & Soft: If you love patterns, look for understated options—think faint micro-prints, subtle tonal florals, or soft heathered weaves that blend seamlessly with your color palette without overwhelming the frame.  Pro tip- Use the colors in a patterned piece in your other family members outfits.


3. Tree Farm Footwear (Safety + Style)

Evergreen farms mean dirt trails, pine needles, damp ground, and occasionally mud. Stilettos and open-toed shoes are a definite no-go!

  • For Women: Stylish flat leather riding boots, low block-heeled booties, or sleek leather boots pair beautifully with flowy skirts or dresses while keeping you stable on uneven ground.
  • For Men: Classic leather dress boots, suede desert boots, or clean neutral sneakers.
  • For the Kids: Tree farm ground can have hidden roots and pine needles. Skip bright character sneakers or slick-bottomed dress shoes! Opt for sturdy neutral leather boots, cute loafers, or simple neutral shoes.


4. Cold Weather Comfort (Warm Kids = Happy Smiles!)

Late autumn and winter weather can be chilly, and comfort always shows on camera—especially with little ones.

  • Incorporate Warmth Elegantly: Don't rely on taking coats off for every shot! Build warm, beautiful layers directly into the outfits—like a gorgeous wool coat, a fine-knit cardigan, or an elegant wrap over a silk dress.
  • Secret Base Layers: Hide thermal undershirts or fleece tights beneath dresses and trousers to keep everyone cozy without adding bulky outer layers.
  • Chic Accessories: A simple neutral knit beanie, soft alpaca wool scarf, or delicate leather gloves keep hands and ears warm while adding cozy charm.


Other things to think about...

  • Styling Your Hair: If your session is outdoors, be sure to check the weather, especially the wind. The last thing we want is hair flying all over the place! Your hair doesn’t have to be down for the photos. Consider braiding it, using a clip to pull it back, or styling it in a cute bun—anything that keeps it in place and adds to the overall look.
  • Diapers: If your little one is wearing a dress and diapers, I suggest adding bloomers or plain underwear underneath. The fall is the perfect time to put your little girls in tights with simple patters of a color that can help tie everyones outfits together. Unfortunately, I can’t fully edit diapers out of photos, so this helps keep things looking smooth and neat.


Gone are the days of everyone in matching outfits. Instead, focus on coordinating colors and textures. Aim for a palette of at least three colors to help create balance in your photos while keeping everything cohesive. Mix and match shades of neutrals and accent tones to complement each other and add depth to your family’s look. The coordination makes your photos feel more natural and timeless, without looking like a throwback to those JCPenney family photos from the ’90s 😉 I suggest choosing your outfit first and then styling the family around you so that you know you are comfortable with what you are wearing!


One last tip: if you're planning on hanging these photos in your home, it’s worth considering how your outfits choices will complement (or clash with) your home decor. A little thought about how the colors fit in with the spaces where you’ll display these portraits can make a big difference in how they’ll feel in your home.

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Balanced Neutrals & Intentional Accent Colors:

Mom and daughter anchor the family in soft, luminous neutrals—a tailored camel coat, an ivory knit, and classic jeans—which keeps the image light and timeless. Dad’s deep forest green sweater provides a single, deliberate pop of color that adds rich contrast without overloading the palette or making the overall family feel too dark. The mom’s coat adds structure and warmth, while both her block-heeled booties and the toddler's classic leather boots offer stylish stability on the leaf-covered ground.

Coordinating Tones & Little Details:

This family shines with a soft, muted neutral palette that lets the lush greens of the pine trees take center stage. The little girl’s dark tights are a genius touch—they keep her warm, cover functional shoes, and add a deliberate pop of contrasting texture that grounds her patterned dress against her parents' light sweaters.

Balanced Color Harmony: This family shows how to pull in rich accent colors without feeling heavy. Mom’s off-the-shoulder berry top and the daughter’s matching velvet dress weave a festive holiday tone through the frame, while dad’s cream quarter-zip pullover and the son’s muted sage hoodie keep the overall look soft, warm, and balanced.

Styling Guide: Flocked Tree Studio Minis

With clean white walls, bright natural window light, and soft frosted greenery, this studio space calls for an elegant, cozy aesthetic. Because the backdrop is so bright and neutral, wardrobe choices need a bit of grounding texture and intentional footwear planning.


1. Footwear & Floor Etiquette (Crucial for White Floors!)

In a bright, seamless white studio space, dirty shoes, dark soles, or loud logos on socks will immediately draw the eye down in photos (and can scuff the floors!).

  • Clean Indoor Shoes Only: Bring a pair of clean, indoor dress shoes or polished leather boots to slip on after they enter the studio. Outdoor street shoes should be taken off at the door to keep it clean for the clients after you.
  • The "Cute Socks" or Barefoot Option: For a cozy, relaxed studio vibe—especially when snuggled up near the trees—going barefoot or wearing stylish socks works beautifully! Avoid athletic socks or branded logos (like Nike or Adidas ticks). Instead, wear cozy unbranded knit wool socks, ribbed cabin socks, or textured tights for little ones.


2. Color Palette for a Flocked, White Setting

Flocked trees and white walls reflect a lot of cool, bright light. The goal is to bring warm, rich contrast so your clients don't look washed out.

  • Warm Earth Tones & Rich Accents: Deep berry, muted burgundy, warm terracotta, cognac leather, muted sage, or warm camel look incredible against the frosted white branches.
  • Soft Neutrals: Oatmeal, warm taupe, and creamy alabaster keep things light and airy without feeling clinical.
  • Skip Bright White & Stark Black: Pure white outfits will blend right into the studio walls and trees, while solid black can create a stark, heavy contrast against the airy setup.


3. Play Up High-End Textures & Movement

Because the studio environment is sleek and simple, rich textures add necessary warmth and dimension to the gallery.

  • Luxe Fabrics: Velvet dresses, silk/satin skirts, cable-knit sweaters, corduroy, and ribbed wool look exceptionally high-end in studio light.
  • Movement: Flowy midi or maxi skirts (in silk or chiffon) catch the bright window light and create soft, dreamy shapes when sitting or playing with kids near the trees.


4. Cozy Studio Posing & Comfort

Studio sessions allow for more intimate, indoor posing on the floor that you can't always do outdoors!

  • Layering for Floor Poses: Since families will likely sit or snuggle together near the base of the trees, make sure dresses aren't too short for floor posing, and ensure men's socks match their trousers if they sit cross-legged.
  • Comfort First: The studio is warm and climate-controlled, so heavy outdoor winter coats aren't needed! Stick to stylish sweaters, indoor blazers, or cardigans.

Soft Luminous Neutrals & Tailored Footwear:

Mom’s alabaster rib-knit dress and Dad’s oatmeal quarter-zip layer soft, luminous neutrals against the frosted backdrop, while Dad’s navy trousers and the baby’s dark shoes add grounding contrast. The cozy knits add texture without washing out under studio lights. Their clean, footwear—sleek dark leather boots for Mom and dress shoes for Dad—adds structure while keeping the white floor pristine.

Casual Barefoot Style & Everyday Textures:

Dusty denim blues, oatmeal, chocolate brown, and light taupe create an approachable, play-focused look for this sibling shot. Layering denim with waffle-knit Henleys adds rich texture against the snow-dusted trees. Going barefoot keeps the focus on their natural interaction, avoids scuffing the floor, and adds a cozy indoor feel.

Rich Jewel Tones & Festive Textures:

Mom’s deep emerald pleated velvet dress provides a festive pop of color that catches the studio light. Dad’s cream pullover and navy trousers soften the overall look so it isn't overly formal, while the kids bring subtle metallic and pattern accents. Dad’s clean tan suede shoes coordinate with his top while keeping the white floor spotless.

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