What To Wear For The Perfect Fall Family Photoshoot
It’s almost that time of year when fall family photos begin! Everyone will be trying to get ahead of the Christmas card rush by taking their photos in the fall, which also means, moms stressing all over the country as they try to find the perfect fall photoshoot outfits for their families. It’s important to remember that these photos will likely be cherished for years to come, so while it’s important to document right now, it’s amazing to have these memories in the future as well.
One important aspect of creating timeless and stunning family photos is choosing the perfect outfits. Not something completely trendy for the right now, but something that will be classic.
The fall outfit inspiration within this blog post includes an outfit for parents, a little girl and a little boy. I confirmed that I could find outfits for older kids as well.
all professional photos included in this post by Kait Watkins Photography
Tips For the Perfect Fall Photoshoot Outfits
Here are some tips to help you pick the right attire for your family photoshoot
1. Coordinate, Don’t Match: Instead of everyone wearing the exact same outfit, aim for coordinated looks in different colors. Choose a color palette and select outfits that complement each other. This will create a cohesive and visually appealing result. When you think of matching outfits, do you picture the jeans and white button-up photos of families on the beach? Yeah, me too. So let’s try and avoid that by coordinating instead.
2. Consider Your Location: Think about the setting of your photoshoot. If it’s outdoors, consider earthy tones or pastel solid colors that will complement the natural backdrop. For an urban setting, vibrant colors or classic neutrals can work well. You don’t want to blend into the setting but you also don’t want your outfits to be too loud in comparison. You will also want to consider if it’s going to be in natural light, in a studio or what the weather will be like.
3. Timeless Over Trendy: As mentioned earlier in this post, while it’s tempting to dress your entire family in the latest trends, consider opting for classic and timeless outfits. These will stand the test of time and won’t look outdated in the years to come.
4. Comfort is Key: Ensure that everyone feels comfortable in their outfits. Avoid clothing that is too tight, itchy, or restrictive, especially for kids. When everyone feels at ease, it reflects in the photos. Think about the best silhouettes for your body, what outfits are most “you”? Stick with those options! This could be flowy dresses, pants and a top, a cute set, etc.
5. Show Personality: Let each family member’s personality shine through in their outfit choices. Whether it’s through accessories, patterns, or textures, incorporating individual style elements adds depth to the photos.
6. Avoid Logos and Busy Patterns: Loud logos and busy patterns can be distracting in photos. Instead, opt for simple and clean looks that draw attention to your family’s faces and the overall connection in the photographs.
7. Dress for the Season: Consider the season and cooler temperature when selecting your outfits. Light, breezy fabrics work well for spring and summer shoots, while warm layers and textures are great for fall and winter. In the fall, it’s helpful to look for chunky knits, bold colors (but not bold patterns), long sleeve dress options, or even classic blue jeans.
8. Decide on the Vibe: What style are you going for? Do you want more casual photos, or do you want an elegant look? Over time, we have rotated between casual with jeans and shirts and more formal with a gown for me and a suit for my husband.
9. Shop your Closet First! You likely have great options already in your closet, and if you bought the outfit you already know you like it. Once you find an outfit that makes you happy, start looking through your family’s clothes for coordinating options.
10. Lock in your Choices and Step Away: I am guilty of finding outfits and continuing to search for “something better” which causes more stress! I now tend to pick something in advance, have all of us try on our outfits together and then move on from it.
11. Plan in Advance: Give yourself at least 8 weeks before the photoshoot to decide on outfits. The most stressful part about finding the outfits is a time crunch, then you end up annoyed about the entire experience even before it starts. Give yourself as much time as you can to plan!
12. Follow This Formula: This may not work for everyone, but it’s been the perfect combo for our sessions over time. Either myself or my daughter are in a floral dress, my husband wears a shirt with the dominant color of the dress, and the third person wears one of the accent colors from the dress.
13. What To Avoid: You want to stay away from neon colors, bright colors, and bright white shoes. Anything reflective or stark in color won’t come across well in photos.
14. Think About Shoes: You don’t want to buy new shoes specifically for your fall family photo session, so take a look to see if you already have a good option! I like to stick with leather shoes or brown shoes for my husband or kids, booties or knee-high boots for myself, or even barefoot if you are aiming for a casual feel.
Fall Photoshoot Outfits For Fall Outfit Ideas
Here’s when the sometimes difficult part comes into play, finding the right outfits for everyone in your family. It isn’t always easy to find the right cute outfits but it also can be less stressful if you find something and then stop looking.
For A Woodsy Look
Are you planning to be surrounded by fall foliage? This is one of the most popular options for a fall session, so there are quite a few outfit ideas! You want to stick with muted neutral colors in earthy tones. Greens, mustard, cream and white work very well. This is the best option if you want fall colors included in your color scheme.
outfit 1: dress / sweater / child dress / kids suspender outfit | outfit 2: dress / button up / child dress / flannel / pants | outfit 3: shirt / skirt / sweater / child dress / kids sweater / kids pants
outfit 1: dress / button up / child dress / kids suspender outfit | outfit 2: shirt / skirt / shirt / child dress / kids outfit
For A Nautical Vibe
Go for blues and creams or shades of peach and pink. I usually go for navy blue since it’s my favorite color and lends to a neutral color palette for the other family members. This is perfect for photos on a beach, in a marina, near a waterfront town (like New England small towns, Annapolis, Fernandina Beach, Alexandria, etc.)
outfit 1: dress / button up / child dress / kids sweater / kids pants | outfit 2: dress / button up shirt / child dress / kids outfit
For A Timeless Look
If you want a classic and formal look, the best colors will be darker tones or metallic. We love this vibe in a city setting or if you can find a museum that allows photography by a professional photographer.
outfit 2: shirt / skirt / suit / child dress / kids outfit
For A Casual In-Home Setting
Loose and flowy, gauzy materials in neutral tones are great for an in-home session. Ideally, they should be in muted tones or tones that complement your house.
outfit 1: outfit / pants / cozy outfit / kids sweater / kids pants | outfit 2: shirt / jeans / button up sweater / cozy outfit / kids sweater / kids pants
Tips For The Day of The Family Photoshoot
We have all experienced the stress surrounding family photos. Mom is freaking out. Dad is moving slowly. The kids are thisclose to staining their outfits. It’s chaos, and everyone arrives upset. It doesn’t have to be that way! I have a few tips to improve your family photoshoot overall experience, and yes, the easiest way may be bribes and snacks, but I encourage you to read on anyway.
1. Prepare the day before: Go over the itinerary, when you will leave, what time everyone should aim to be done getting ready, test out your hair and makeup situation,
2. Consider the type of photoshoot: Will a mini session provide enough photos? Should you book a longer session with a variety of locations? Talk with your photographer to determine what is the best option for your family.
3. Book with friends: We have booked sessions around the same time as friends, which has been great for keeping the kids excited, having someone to watch the kids during a few photos of mom & dad, and even fun photos of the kids together! Check with your family photographer to see if this is an option before planning!
4. Don’t Forget the Essentials: You don’t need to bring all the things- purses, backpacks, etc. but you do want to make sure you have the essentials. Small, not messy snacks like marshmallows, light lollipops, crackers, etc., usually work well for happy kids! A water bottle is great, too. And don’t forget a small comb and lipstick!
Best Places To Shop For The Perfect Outfit
When it comes to mom’s dress or outfit, I have a few places I recommend checking. I’m slightly selfish here as I usually pick my outfit first and then plan everyone else’s. While I love shopping local at boutiques and markets, it isn’t always the quickest option when you have something in mind for your Fall family pictures. I do usually start in a few stores and then resort to online if needed.
Baltic Born always has wonderful options for family photoshoots!
H&M usually has good options for the family
Amazon is the easiest option in my opinion. You don’t have to go out to look for outfits, easy returns, and the variety has improved significantly recently.
Morning Lavender is another online boutique option for moms.
Old Navy is usually an excellent option for the whole family and often has coordinating outfit options, which would be the perfect combo.
Remember, the goal is to capture the authentic essence of your family, so use these tips as a guide while staying true to your family’s style and personality. With the right outfits, your family photoshoot will result in cherished, special memories that you can proudly display for years to come. I hope this post has helped you align on the Fall vibe you are going for and that you have the best session.
