Fall Family Photo Outfit Ideas

Want some quick and easy fall family photo outfit ideas?

Fall is definitely my busiest time of year as a family portrait photographer.  It’s a great time of year for an updated portrait and I photograph so many families year after year.  The number one question that I’m asked as a family photographer is ‘Can you give us some fall family photo outfit ideas?’  I’m going to break it down for you today!  Let’s chat about how to plan the perfect outdoor fall family photo outfits!

Choosing the right outfits is important for many reasons…from how everyone feels in their photos to the overall aesthetic of the final images.  It can be overwhelming to find the perfect outfit for yourself, let alone the whole family.  Making sure that everything coordinates and will look good in photos is enough to drive a person crazy.  But don’t stress!  I’ve been photographing families for over 18 years and I can guide you along the way.  Read along for lots of helpful tips and fall family photo outfit ideas.

Not sure if something coordinates? Send me a photo and I’ll weigh in with my professional opinion! I’m always happy to help with fall family photo outfit ideas!

What are Fall Family Photos?

Fall family portraits have become increasingly popular over the years; so much so that it’s become my busiest time of year by far.  These fall family portrait sessions are typically photographed in outdoor locations that incorporate nature and the changing seasons into the background of the photos.  While we don’t have the dramatic changes in seasons here in Southern California that they do in other parts of the country, we do have beautiful open fields that turn golden in the fall, and if you search hard enough you might even be able to find some leaves turning colors! 

The key to great fall family photos, or great photos at any time of the year, is a coordinating color palette. You want to avoid being what I call ‘matchy-matchy’ – everyone matching exactly and wearing all the same colors. This can quickly and obviously date your photos.  This was typically seen in family photos when I was a kid, and nobody wants that! Instead, choose one core color to start with and incorporate varying neutral shades and textures to tie the looks together. 

Oftentimes, when we think of fall family photos, we think of fields full of pumpkins, trees with turning leaves, and baskets full of mums. However, since we don’t have as much fall color here in Ventura County, we can use outfit color choices to make the photos feel like fall.  Focus on warm neutral colors and lots of texture when planning your fall family photo outfit ideas.

10 Fall Family Photo Outfit Ideas & Tips for Dressing the Family

Tip 1: Choose a Starting Point

Beginning this process is the hardest part!  It can seem daunting to find the perfect outfits for your whole family and make sure they all work together in photos.  I always recommend starting with one core piece, whether it’s mom’s dress, dad’s shirt, or your little one’s dress, and build out from there.  Typically this piece will have a pattern that contains a few different colors.  Build from there and choose colors for the rest of the family that have the same colors that are in the core piece.

Tip 2: Neutrals and Earth Tones are Classics 

Almost everyone looks good in neutrals, and they are usually easy to find in stores.  They are classic, timeless, and are also warm colors that inherently have a fall feel to them.

Tip 3: Coordinate but Don’t be Matchy-Matchy

Remember when everyone wore white t-shirts and blue jeans for their beach photos?  I sure do!  It’s definitely a dated look that we don’t want to recreate.  Instead, choose complimentary colors that coordinate, but don’t match exactly.  We want all of the tones to work together, and have a visual break in the color scheme.

Tip 4: Avoid Busy Patterns

Subtle patterns work well in photos, but loud/busy patterns take attention away from what is happening in an image and draw it unnecessarily to the clothing.  Subtle is best as far as patterns go!

Tip 5: Textures and Layers for the Win

Textures and layers all add depth and visual interest to an image.  Thick cable knit sweaters, denim jackets, scarves, a cardigan over a button-down shirt for dad; these all give fall vibes and will help keep everyone warm and happy if the session happens to take place on a chilly day.

Tip 6: Add Accessories After the Base Outfits Have Been Chosen

A cute hat for a toddler, a scarf for dad, a pair of statement earrings for mom-these are all ways to infuse personality and add visual interest to your images, so don’t forget to plan to add some accessories when thinking about your fall family photo outfit ideas.

Tip 7: Don’t Forget About Shoes

Unless the session is at the beach (where bare feet are my preference!), you’ll need to choose shoes that will work with your outfits.  My top tip is to make sure that the shoe color is neutral and not distracting.  For moms, tall leather boots are perfect for outdoor fall family photos!

Tip 8: Wear Natural Makeup

For moms, natural makeup looks are best.  I have great hair and make up artists that I can recommend that know just how to style you to look your best in photos.  If you’d prefer to do your own hair and makeup, choose neutral shades and apply just slightly more than you would wear for an everyday look.

Tip 9: Choose Clothing that You’re Comfortable In

If you feel uncomfortable in your clothes, it will show in the final images.  Make sure you’ve tried your clothes on ahead of time and that the whole family is cozy and comfy in the outfits that you’ve chosen.  It really will make a difference in how the session goes!

Tip 10: Consider Where You’ll Hang the Final Images in Your Home

When thinking about the color palette for your fall family photo outfit ideas, also consider the décor in your home. If you choose outfit colors for your photos that are bright reds and oranges while the décor in your home is neutrals and blues, when you go to hang your family photos on the wall there is a very real possibility that they’ll look out of place. Let’s be honest, the reason we go through the effort (and investment!) of family photos is to enjoy them. Plan ahead so that your final images will look great in your home.

Fall Photo Outfit Ideas for the Whole Family

Fall Family Photo Outfit Ideas for Mom

• Maxi dresses – my favorite go-to for moms.  They are comfortable, super flattering, and easy to find.  They come in long sleeved, short sleeved, and sleeveless styles.  Very versatile and a perfect ‘starting point’ piece!
• Sweater Dresses – very fall vibes – can be paired with a belt and tall boots to complete the look.
• Jeans and a slouchy sweater –  more of a relaxed look or for moms who just aren’t into dresses.
• Avoid: clothing that doesn’t fit comfortably or shows bra straps.

My favorite places to shop for mom:
Baltic Born | Free People | Bohme

Fall Family Photo Outfit Ideas for Dad

• Chinos and a button-down shirt are a dad staple for family photos!
• Chambray shirts are my personal favorite for dad’s.  They look great on everyone, add the perfect amount of texture, and won’t compete with other outfits that have patterns.
• Solid polo with jeans for a casual look.
• Avoid:  logos, graphics, and busy patterns.

My favorite places to shop for dad:
Banana Republic | Old Navy | Kiel James Patrick  

Fall Family Photo Outfit Ideas for Baby

• Cable knit onesies – a perfect and comfy option for boys and girls that adds great texture!
• Rompers – keeping it simple with pastel colors or light patterns
• Avoid: outfits that are too big!  They look like they’re swallowing the baby up on camera, and don’t photograph well at all.

My favorite places to shop for baby:
Rylee & Cru | Wild Ivy | Amazon | Chicken Little

Fall Family Photo Outfit Ideas for Children

• Girls – dresses (either solids or patterns), jeans & knit sweaters, rompers.
• Boys – jeans with a button down shirt, jeans & knit sweaters, chinos with a chambray shirt.
• Choose outfits that mirror the parents in color and style.
• Keep clothing comfortable suitable for playing or sitting on the floor.
• Avoid:  Dresses without matching bloomers for little girls.  This can limit posing and movement!

My favorite places to shop for children:
Rylee & Cru | Old Navy | Amazon | Janie & Jack

Final Prep for Your Fall Family Photo Outfit Ideas

– It’s a great idea to have backup outfits for your little ones.  Things happen and sometimes clothing gets dirty or spilled on.  You’ll have piece of mind for your session if you have a Plan B in place!

– Make sure to choose outfits that are appropriate for the weather.  Here in So Cal we can have wild swings in temperature in the fall, so it’s a good idea to choose outfits based on the forecast.  Making sure kiddos aren’t too cold or too warm during a photo session can go a long way in helping to keep them happy and smiling.

– Do a final check for wrinkles, stains, and pet hair before the session.

Fall Family Photo Outfit Ideas

For a quick recap, here are my top 10 tips for Fall Family Photo Outfit Ideas:

1. Choose a starting point piece to build from
2. Neutrals and Earth tones are classics 
3. Coordinate but don’t be matchy-matchy
4. Avoid busy patterns
5. Textures and layers for the win
6. Add accessories after the base outfits have been chosen
7. Don’t’ forget about shoes
8. Wear natural makeup
9. Choose clothing that you’re comfortable in
10. Consider where you’ll hang the final images in your home

Please keep in mind that we’re not going for perfection with our fall family photo outfit ideas here!  Our session will be about capturing the sweet moments and connection between your family members.  The most important thing is to choose outfits that everyone is comfortable in and are representative of your individual style.

I’d love to take your fall family photos this year! Get in touch through the link below and we’ll set up a time to chat about your photos and answer any questions that you might have about your fall family photo outfit ideas!

I’m participating in a fun blog circle this month and have a great article about Santa Pictures in Savannah for you to take a peek at if you live in that area. I’ve always wanted to go to Savannah…it looks so magical there!

---