There is something about a family Christmas photo that makes hair matter more than usual. Everyone is in one frame, the camera catches every flyaway, and the picture usually ends up on a card or a wall for years. The goal is not perfection. It is hair that looks intentional, feels comfortable, and still looks like each person.
The styles below work for mixed ages, different hair textures, and the usual chaos of getting a whole family ready at once. Pick looks that suit your outfits and your morning. If a style takes forty minutes and your toddler will only sit still for four, that is your answer right there.
1Soft Matching Curls
Give everyone loose, brushed-out curls in the same general shape, not the exact same curl size. Adults can use a large-barrel iron and a light hold spray, while kids get gentle heat-free waves from braids left in overnight. The result reads as coordinated without looking forced, and it photographs beautifully because the hair has movement and shine. It suits straight to wavy hair best, and it flatters round and oval faces in particular. The honest drawback is time. Curling a whole family takes a while, and humidity or a long drive to the studio can soften the shape before the first shot.
2Classic Half-Up with a Velvet Bow
A half-up style is the safest bet in the whole list, and the velvet bow is what makes it feel like Christmas. Pull back the top section, secure it at the crown, and let the rest fall naturally. Adults can add a little volume at the roots first, and kids look adorable with the same shape plus a smaller bow in a matching color. It suits almost every hair length past the shoulders and every face shape. The drawback is that bows slide. Pack bobby pins and a spare bow, because at least one will end up somewhere unexpected before the shoot is over.
3Sleek Low Buns for a Formal Frame
When the outfits are dressy, a sleek low bun pulls the whole photo together. Brush hair back with a smoothing cream, twist it low at the nape, and pin it securely. It works for mums, grandmothers, and older kids who like a tidy look, and it keeps hair completely out of faces, which photographers love. It suits straight and fine hair especially well, though textured hair can be smoothed with a good edge control product. The drawback is comfort. A bun pulled too tight gives headaches fast, so keep the tension gentle and let kids tell you if it hurts.
4Festive Braided Crowns
A braided crown wraps around the head like a headband made of hair, and it looks magical next to a Christmas tree. Do two Dutch braids from the front and pin them across the crown, tucking the ends underneath. This works for adults and school-age kids with medium to long hair, and it holds up better than loose styles through a long session. It suits wavy and thick hair best, since the braids look fuller. The honest drawback is skill. If braiding is not your strong point, practice the day before or ask a friend, because a rushed crown can look messy in close-up shots.
5Polished Blowouts with a Side Part
A smooth blowout with a deep side part gives that classic holiday-card feeling, full and glossy and grown-up. Blow-dry in sections with a round brush, flip the part to one side, and finish with a shine spray. It suits adults and teens with medium to long hair, and it pairs well with both cozy knits and formal dresses. Shorter hair can get a similar effect with a smaller round brush and some root lift. The drawback is that blowouts fall flat in damp weather, and they need a touch-up if the shoot runs long, so bring a small brush and a travel-size hairspray.
6Twisted Rope Ponytails
Split the hair into two sections, twist each one, then wrap them around each other for a rope ponytail that looks far fancier than it is. Set it high for a playful feel or low for something calmer, and wrap a small piece of hair around the elastic to hide it. Kids love this one because it stays put during jumping and spinning between shots. It suits thick and textured hair really well, and it works on medium lengths too. The drawback is that rope twists can unravel at the ends, so use a clear elastic and a dab of styling cream on the tips.
7Cozy Waves with a Knit Headband
For a relaxed, outdoorsy shoot, soft waves plus a knit headband are hard to beat. Create loose waves with a large iron or overnight braids, then slide on a headband in cream, red, or forest green. Adults look effortlessly festive, and little ones stay warm while still looking styled. It suits wavy and curly hair naturally, and straight hair holds the wave with a bit of texture spray. The drawback is that headbands can leave a dent or slip down over the forehead, so choose one with a bit of grip and test it at home first.
8Matching Father-Daughter Side Sweeps
Dads and sons do not need to be left out of the hair plan. A neat side sweep with a matte pomade gives short hair a clean, camera-ready finish without looking stiff. Pair it with a daughter's side-swept waves or a son's tidy side part, and the family looks connected in the photo. It suits short to medium hair and works on straight and wavy textures. The drawback is that pomade can look greasy if you use too much, so start with a pea-sized amount and add more only if needed.
9Glitter-Free Festive Updo with Pine Accessories
Skip the loose glitter, which ends up everywhere, and use a small pine sprig or a berry clip tucked into an updo instead. Twist or roll the hair up loosely, pin it softly, and place the accessory near the side or back. It suits adults best, especially for evening shoots, and it looks elegant without competing with the outfits. Medium to long hair works well here. The drawback is that real greenery can shed or poke, so check the accessory before the shoot and swap it for a faux version if it feels scratchy or fragile.
10Bouncy Curls for Little Ones
Little kids photograph best when their hair looks like theirs, just tidier. For curly kids, define the curls with a leave-in conditioner and let them bounce naturally. For straighter hair, soft overnight curls or a gentle wave from a braid work nicely. Add a small clip or bow on one side to keep hair out of their eyes. This suits toddlers and young children of all hair types. The drawback is patience. Kids move, they touch their hair, and curls get flattened by hats and car seats, so style them last, right before you walk in.
11Elegant Chignons with Face-Framing Pieces
A chignon is a low, rolled bun that sits at the nape, and leaving two soft pieces out at the front keeps it from looking severe. It is a lovely choice for mums and grandmothers who want something timeless, and it photographs well from the side as well as the front. It suits medium to long hair and oval, heart, and square face shapes. The drawback is that face-framing pieces fall out of place quickly, especially in wind, so curl them lightly and pin them loosely rather than letting them hang completely free.
12Coordinated Plaid Scrunchies and Simple Styles
Sometimes the simplest idea wins. Let everyone wear their everyday style, a ponytail, a bun, loose waves, or a neat short cut, and tie it together with matching plaid scrunchies or hair ties. The matching detail makes the photo feel planned without anyone needing a new hairstyle. It suits every age, every hair type, and every family that is short on time. The drawback is that it only works if the scrunchies actually match the outfits, so pick the plaid first and build the color palette around it, not the other way around.
Getting Photo-Ready Without the Stress
Style the adults first and the kids last, because kids undo hair faster than anyone. Do a quick trial run a few days before the shoot, especially for braids, updos, or anything new, so there are no surprises on the day. Pack a small kit: bobby pins, clear elastics, a brush, travel hairspray, and any bows or clips you plan to use. Photographers usually shoot in warm indoor light or winter daylight, both of which show shine well, so a light smoothing serum helps, but go easy or hair looks oily on camera. Finally, remember that the best photos come from relaxed faces, so if a style is pulling, itching, or falling apart, change it. A comfortable family always photographs better than a perfectly styled but miserable one.
How far ahead should we style hair for a Christmas photoshoot?
Most families do best styling hair the morning of the shoot, or the night before for heat-free waves and braids. Updos and buns can be done an hour or two ahead and usually hold fine. Avoid styling the night before for looks that depend on volume, since they flatten overnight.
What hairstyles work for babies and toddlers in photos?
Keep it very simple for babies and toddlers. A soft headband, a tiny clip, or their natural hair brushed neatly is plenty. Avoid tight styles, heavy products, and anything that could slip and bother them. Comfort matters more than style at this age, and natural baby hair photographs beautifully.
How do we match hairstyles without everyone looking identical?
Match one element, not the whole style. Use the same accessory, the same general shape like soft waves, or the same color detail, then let each person keep a version that suits their hair and age. The photo looks coordinated but every person still looks like themselves.
What if it rains or snows on shoot day?
Choose styles that hold up in damp weather, like braids, buns, and ponytails, rather than blowouts and loose curls. Bring an umbrella for the walk in, a towel for quick drying, and travel hairspray for touch-ups. Tell your photographer so they can plan indoor backup shots if needed.
Can different hair textures share one family hairstyle theme?
Yes, and they should. A theme like soft waves, neat buns, or matching accessories adapts to every texture. Work with each person's natural texture instead of forcing everyone into the same technique, and the result looks cohesive without anyone's hair being overworked.
Keep exploring
If you liked these christmas photoshoot hairstyles for families, check out elegant Christmas dinner hairstyles, Christmas party hair ideas for short hair, reindeer antler hairstyles for kids for more ideas.
