Sneak Peek: 2025 Studio Holiday Portraits in Los Angeles
This year’s Studio Holiday Portraits at Jess Koehler Photo sold out fast. Sixteen families booked their spots, and the waitlist filled soon after. I’m so excited to share a few favorite images from the first day, plus some insights into what makes these sessions so special, and why wardrobe choices truly make or break a photo.
Why Los Angeles Families Love the Studio Holiday Portraits
Every fall, families across Los Angeles come together for holiday photo sessions that capture this season of connection and chaos. These aren’t rushed five-minute mini sessions. Instead, each family receives a full-service portrait experience that’s carefully designed to take the stress out of holiday photos.
From wardrobe planning to same-day image selection, I guide every step, so you can simply show up, enjoy the moment, and leave with portraits ready for holiday cards, gifts, and keepsakes.
This year’s sessions took place with strobe lights in my Downtown Los Angeles studio, featuring two timeless backdrops: olive and eggshell. Each set was styled to feel both inviting and elevated, the perfect blend of warmth and sophistication that looks beautiful in print or on your holiday card.
The Wardrobe Guide: How Styling Can Make or Break a Photo
One of the most common questions I get before a session is, What should we wear?
The answer is simple. What you wear directly affects how your images feel. That’s why every family received a custom color palette guide tailored to this year’s backdrop tones.
The palette leaned into soft neutrals and muted winter hues, including cream, olive, taupe, and slate. These tones photograph beautifully and allow your family’s connection, not the clothes, to take center stage.
Here are a few of my go-to wardrobe tips from the guide:
Coordinate, don’t match. Aim for colors that complement each other, not identical outfits.
Add texture. Sweaters, knits, linen, or corduroy add warmth and depth without overpowering.
Skip logos and busy prints. Simplicity helps keep the focus on faces and emotion.
Layer smartly. A cardigan, scarf, or wrap adds versatility and visual interest.
When wardrobe works, the results are timeless. When it doesn’t, even the best lighting cannot save a photo that feels visually chaotic. Every detail, color, tone, and fabric plays a role in how the final portraits come together.
A Full-Service Family Photography Experience
My Los Angeles holiday portrait sessions are designed with intention from start to finish. Each family receives an experience that is seamless and joyful. Here’s how it flows:
Pre-Session Planning
Before your shoot, we connect about your goals, wardrobe, and where these images will live, on your walls, in albums, or on holiday cards. This helps me photograph with purpose and ensures we capture exactly what matters most to you.
The Studio Session
On session day, I direct you through a relaxed flow that balances connection and portraiture. We play, laugh, and move through natural moments that feel true to your family, no stiff poses, no forced smiles.
Immediate Image Selection
Before leaving the studio, families view a curated slideshow of their portraits and select their favorites on-site. This instant feedback helps you leave with confidence, knowing exactly what you will receive for your cards and prints.
Holiday Products Made Easy
Families can order from a curated menu of custom holiday cards, ornaments, and keepsake prints, all designed and delivered through my full-service ordering process. From layouts to return-address envelopes, every detail is handled so your photos become finished heirlooms.
Timeless Backdrops, Effortless Results
This year’s backdrops, olive green and soft eggshell, were chosen for their versatility. They flatter skin tones and pair beautifully with both casual and dressy looks. Families with coordinating palettes photographed effortlessly, creating cohesive galleries that look stunning across print and digital formats.
Here’s the difference styling makes:
Warm tones, ivory, beige, and blush create a light, airy look.
Earth tones, olive, camel, and charcoal bring depth and sophistication.
Combining textures, knits, linen, and velvet adds an editorial finish that feels natural and polished.
When families follow the guide, it shows. The images look harmonious and timeless, ready to hang, print, or mail with pride.
Why These Sessions Sell Out
The secret is simplicity.
Families in Los Angeles lead busy lives, and finding time to plan holiday portraits can feel overwhelming. My full-service approach takes that mental load off your plate. From the moment you inquire, I handle styling guidance, session prep, photo direction, and post-session delivery.
These sessions are designed for connection, not chaos. They provide a moment to pause, play, and celebrate your family as you are right now.
That is why they sell out. Limited availability keeps the experience personal, relaxed, and intentional.
Plan Ahead for 2026
If you missed out this year, don’t worry. Hop on the newsletter and I’ll keep you posted with plenty of advance notice to book it when it goes live. Spots remain limited to preserve the quality of experience that families have come to love.
Looking forward to meeting you in the studio!
Jess
