What to Wear for Your Fall Family Photoshoot

Fall is my favorite time photoshoots and my favorite time of the year in general. The vibrant foliage creates a beautiful backdrop for photos. The weather is typically very mild, not too hot, not too cold. And it's so close to all of the holidays that it is a great time to capture your Christmas card pictures! One of the most common questions I get asked is - “What should we wear?” As a photographer, I’ve seen firsthand how the right outfits can elevate your photos. Here’s a comprehensive guide with some things to think about and ideas to evaluate. Hopefully, this will help you choose what will work best for your family!

Here are 9 questions to ask yourself when thinking about what to have your family wear:

1. What is the overall vibe I want for our photos?

• Am I aiming for casual, formal, playful, or elegant?

2. What colors do we want to wear?

• Are there specific colors that we love or that we feel we look good in?
• Do I want to go for earth tones, vibrant tones or neutrals?

3. How do our outfits coordinate with the location?

• What is the setting of the photoshoot, and how can our outfits enhance that backdrop?

4. What will the temperature be like, and how does that affect our clothing choices?

• Are we dressing for warmer weather or layering for the cool weather?

5. How comfortable will we be in our chosen outfits?

• Can everyone move easily and feel confident in what they’re wearing?

6. Do our outfits reflect our family’s personality?

• Are we showcasing our unique style, or do we want to go for a more classic, timeless look?

7. How can we incorporate different textures?

• Should we mix fabrics like denim, knits, cotton, velvet, satin, etc? Having a variety of different textures in the same color palette can add visual interest.

8. What about footwear?

• Are our shoes practical for the location, and do they complement our outfits?

9. How do we want to feel during the photoshoot?

• Do I want everyone to feel relaxed and natural, or is there a specific mood we’re aiming to convey?

Alright let's get real for a moment: I've been a photographer for several years now and I see the same patterns over and over. I know I just laid out all of the info about outfits, however I wouldn't be doing my job if I failed to mention this caveat. The BEST sessions are the ones where parents allow their children to be themselves. While it can be enticing to try to get the perfect combo of outfits with the perfect shoes and perfect hair, if your family is miserable then those are not going to be the perfect photos that you're looking for. If your toddler is going to be uncomfortable in a scratchy sweater, consider picking something that they will be comfy and happy in. If your middle schooler really loves how they look in a certain dress or outfit but it's not the perfect matchy thing you had in mind, consider if it might be something to let slide to help them be confident in the photos. I'm not trying to call anyone out, but I want to mention these things because I think mindset matters a lot when it comes to family photos. My goal is to capture your family's GENUINE joy. I know not everyone loves getting their photo taken, but the more positive the experience, the better the photos are going to turn out. Trust me!