Christmas clothes/family photos

[JenaW]

I'm trying to plan holiday outfits for my family, hoping that we will be able to have a family portrait taken at the same time.

I bought this skirt for myself on etsy thinking I'd pair it with a black tneck sweater (or possibly the blue-greeen color if I can find it) and black boots.
http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.169473237.jpg

I got these for my 3 older girls from Target.

http://tinyurl.com/27xbmpa
http://tinyurl.com/2ed3olw

I need something for DS (7 1/2yo), DH, and my youngest DD (2yo). Should I stick with a solid top for DS and DH? Khaki pants to bring out the khaki in my skirt and the girls' cream dresses, or black pants? Depending on what color the blue-green actually is, I was thinking that color dress shirt for DS with a black vest maybe and khaki pants, and the same color shirt for DH with a black patterned tie? I'm not sure about little DD. I do have a black ss dress that I think is her size with off white embroidery on the bottom that I may be able to match the blue and tie a ribbon around her waist, or try to find a sweater that color?? I dont want to be TOO matchy, but I do want us to coordinate. Any suggestions on things that I should look for that would work, or things you have seen?

[indigo99]

Be careful not to use too much black. Do you have any idea what the background will be? Black tends to disappear in photos so you don't want to have someone wearing black in front of someone else wearing black (so no black pants for DH). I wouldn't put the smallest ones in black either if they may be in front of a sister in a black dress.

That is a really cute skirt, but I'd suggest avoiding patterns like that in group photos - especially if you'll be the only one in a pattern. You really want all solids in a limited range of colors - like all browns, khakis, and creams. You can use some plaids or stripes if they're underneath something else like a vest or sweater so they aren't too strong. Last year we did reds and browns for our family photos at Christmas.

I do love the cream dress for the girls. This is just my opinion of course. I am a photographer, not a stylist.