How Should You Dress Your Family for Fall Photos?
As a Northwest Arkansas family photographer, I hear all the time that dressing your family for photos is one of the biggest pain points when preparing for a session. Finding pieces that photograph well, coordinating everyone together, and making sure everyone is comfortable can feel overwhelming. I get it!
That’s why all of my full session Family and Newborn Photography clients receive complimentary outfit planning, so you don’t have to stress about what to wear. Incredible, right?
I know that not every client of mine is investing in a full session, and there are plenty of families outside of photography circle who could use a little help, too. So, I’ve put together a curated, shoppable list of some of my favorite clothing picks for family photos this Fall.
You can shop all of the pieces directly through my LTK Lookbooks below! This list will be updated as new pieces become available, so be sure to check back throughout the fall!
Fall Family Photo Outfit Ideas
When choosing outfits for your fall family photos, I recommend starting with soft, neutral, and earthy colors. These tones photograph beautifully outdoors and pair naturally with the warm colors of the season.
Some of my favorite colors for fall family pictures include:
- Cream, ivory, khaki
- Beige, tan, camel and lighter brown
- Rust, soft burgundy, maroon
- Olive, sage green
- Navy, denim, soft blues
You do not need everyone to wear the exact same color. In fact, I prefer when each person has their own outfit that coordinates with the rest of the family without looking overly matched.
A good place to start is with one outfit you love! Maybe a floral dress, textured sweater, or special pair of overalls – and build the rest of the family’s outfits around the colors found in that piece.
Coordinating Outfits for the Whole Family
When selecting clothing for everyone, think about the overall color palette instead of matching piece by piece. I also love mixing different textures and fabrics throughout the family’s outfits. Soft knits, corduroy, linen, denim, all add visual interest and photograph beautifully in the fall!
When I’m choosing clothing for a family session in the Fall, these are the things I look for:
- Soft textures like cotton, linen, corduroy, ribbed knits, and waffle knit
- Neutrals, soft tones, and earthy colors
- Pieces that coordinate without being overly matching
- Layers that add visual interest and warmth
- Simple plaid or floral patterns
- Boots and neutral classic shoes
- Clothing that allows children to move freely
- Pieces that feel comfortable enough for play
The most important thing is that your family feels like themselves. We want your children to be able to run, snuggle, explore, and move without feeling restricted by what they are wearing. We also want you to feel comfortable and not worried about how your clothing is fitting.
Patterns, Colors, and Things to Avoid
Bright, saturated colors can reflect onto the skin and create strange coloring in photographs. For that reason, I recommend avoiding neon shades and very bright primary colors whenever possible. Look for colors that are more soft and muted.
Red -> Maroon, burgundy
Green -> Sage, olive, teal
Purple -> Plum, lavender
Orange -> Rust, salmon
Yellow -> Mustard, butter
Pink -> Light pink, rose
Black -> Charcoal, greys
White -> Ivory, cream, off-white
I also recommend staying away from large graphics, logos, and clothing with lots of words or character patterns. These elements tend to draw attention away from the people in the photograph.
Small florals, subtle stripes, tiny checks, and muted plaids can be beautiful. Just try not to have everyone wearing a different bold pattern at the same time.
Favorite Footwear for Fall Family Photos
Believe it or no, shoes are an important part of the overall outfit, but they do not need to be complicated!
For babies, I love having them barefoot when the weather and location allow. Those sweet little baby toes are hard to beat! For older children, neutral canvas sneakers, leather sandals, loafers, Mary Janes, ballet flats, and simple boots are all great options. For fall sessions, ankle boots and soft leather shoes can add a really pretty seasonal touch.
A stylish boot or simple neutral flats can be great for mom, while brown boots or loafer style shoes look nice on dad.
Shop My Fall Family Photo Clothing Picks
I’ve gathered some of my favorite fall clothing picks for moms, dads, babies, toddlers, boys, and girls in one easy-to-shop Lookbook! These pieces were selected with family photos in mind. Whether you are planning your own family photo outfits or simply need a few finishing pieces, I hope this list makes preparing for your session feel a little easier.
And if you are one of my photography clients, remember that complimentary outfit planning is always included in my Full session experience! I’m happy to help you choose outfits that photograph beautifully and feel like your family!
I can’t wait to see what you choose!
CHILDREN’S OUTFITS FOR FALL FAMILY PHOTOS
FALL FAMILY PHOTO OUTFITS FOR MOM & DAD
