To plan a matching Christmas pajama family photo, choose one print or one color story for everyone, shoot in soft natural light from a window or open shade, and take far more pictures than you think you need. Those three choices matter more than the camera, the backdrop or the pose.
The fun part is deciding how matched you want to look. Below, we cover three ways to coordinate the pajamas, how to include a baby or the dog, the lighting and phone settings photographers recommend, and a simple plan for the day so the photo happens before anyone gets tired.
Three ways to coordinate the pajamas
There is no single right look. Pick the approach that suits your family, then buy everything in one go so the colors match exactly.
| Approach | What it looks like | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| One print for everyone | Every person, and the dog, in the same holiday print | The classic card photo |
| Print plus stripe | Adults in a print, kids in a matching stripe, or the reverse | Families who want a little variety |
| Solids plus one print | Adults in a solid color, kids in a print with that color | Print-shy grown-ups |
For the one-print look, Hollyberry is an easy choice because it comes in every family size. The Gisele Printed TENCEL™ Modal Long PJ Set ($158, sizes XXS–XXL) matches the William Printed TENCEL™ Modal Long PJ Set ($168, sizes XXS–XXL), the kids’ set and a pet PJ in the same print. Our guide to matching family Christmas pajamas lists every print by size.
Mixing prints, stripes and solids
If one print feels like too much, keep a shared color and change the pattern. The Kids Printed TENCEL™ Modal Unisex Long PJ Set ($72, sizes 2–10) in Duo Stripe Holly Red sits well next to Hollyberry adults, because both use holly red and ivory. Our guide to striped Christmas pajamas shows every stripe in every size.
For grown-ups who would rather wear a solid, the Gisele TENCEL™ Modal Long PJ Set ($158, sizes XXS–XXL) comes in Holly Red/Ivory, and the Henry TENCEL™ Modal Long PJ Set ($168, sizes XXS–XXL) comes in Pine. Put the kids in a print with the same red or green, and the photo still reads as matching. See more in our guide to solid holiday pajamas in Holly Red and Pine.
A simple rule: keep to two main colors plus ivory, and avoid mixing two different busy prints side by side.
Including the baby and the dog
Eberjey’s kids’ sets start at size 2, so there are no baby sizes. For a baby, coordinate by color instead: dress them in a solid in the family’s main color, such as red or green, and hold them in the middle of the group so they are part of the print without wearing it.
The dog is easier. The Gisele Printed TENCEL™ Modal Pet PJ ($58, sizes S–XXL) comes in Hollyberry and other holiday prints, with short sleeves, a button-down front and contrast piping, as Eberjey describes it. Dress the dog last, right before you start shooting, and have a helper with treats behind the camera.
Light, angle and phone settings
Light makes the biggest difference. AARP and Popular Science both recommend window light: face your family toward a large window indoors. Popular Science also suggests open shade for photos outdoors, and adds that indoor light at night and on-camera flash are the least flattering options, so plan the photo for daytime.
Both also recommend shooting a lot. AARP suggests taking several bursts in the same session, and Popular Science explains that holding down the shutter button keeps the phone shooting, so you can pick the frame where everyone’s eyes are open. To get the whole family in, both suggest the phone’s self-timer with a small tripod, or the phone propped on a stack of books.
For group shots, a Boston University photojournalist suggests holding the camera slightly lower than chin height to reduce distortion and avoiding placing people directly in front of a window, which creates uneven light.
A simple plan for photo day
- Pick the date and time: late morning or early afternoon, in daylight, after everyone has eaten.
- Lay out the pajamas the night before, so nobody is hunting for a size in the morning.
- Choose the spot: near a big window or in open shade, with a plain or tree background.
- Set up the phone on a tripod or books at about eye level, with the timer on.
- Shoot the posed photo first, then let everyone relax and keep shooting.
- Finish with the candid shots: kids on laps, the dog in the middle, everyone laughing.
For more ways to coordinate a pair or a group, read our mix-and-match guide to matching Christmas pajamas, or browse every option in the family pajamas collection.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best light for a family pajama photo?
Soft natural light. AARP and Popular Science both recommend facing your family toward a large window, and Popular Science also suggests open shade outdoors.
How do you take a family photo with everyone in it?
Use the phone’s self-timer with a small tripod, or prop the phone on a stack of books, then shoot several bursts and pick the best frame.
Should the whole family wear the same print?
It is the classic look, but you can also put kids in a matching stripe or adults in a solid in the same color, and the photo still reads as matching.
Does Eberjey make baby Christmas pajamas?
No. Eberjey’s kids’ sets start at size 2, so dress a baby in a solid in the family’s main color instead.
Can the dog match the family pajamas?
Yes. The Gisele Printed TENCEL™ Modal Pet PJ comes in sizes S to XXL in Hollyberry and other holiday prints.
When is the best time to take the family photo?
In daylight, when everyone is rested and has eaten. Late morning or early afternoon works well, and it avoids dim indoor light at night.
