What to Wear for Fall Family Photos

So you’ve done it. You’ve booked your photographer for those yearly fall family photos. Then the panic sets in. What on earth do we wear for the family photos?

If this question invokes a sense of anxiety, panic, and dread – then this guide on what to wear for your family pictures is just for you!

For this round of family photo clothing ideas, we’re focusing on some ideas specifically for fall. Fall is a really popular season for photos. The weather is generally pretty mild, the colors of the leaves are changing (hopefully we get a little color here in Southeast Texas anyway), and those Christmas card photos aren’t going to take themselves. Here’s a few things to keep in mind when selecting what you’re going to wear for your family photos this fall season.

What to Avoid

Before we get into what you should wear, let’s talk about what you shouldn’t wear to your family photo session. You’ll want to avoid everyone wearing the same colors (i.e. everyone wearing black). Matchy-matchy is more likely to make the photos look older in style than they actually are. Your outfits should coordinate in a way that adds to the overall look of the photos – not be generic.

Keep Your Photo Location in Mind

When thinking about what to wear, you’ll want to envision the setup of the props, colors of the trees, and your family’s surroundings. For instance, if you’re heading to the pumpkin patch, you’ll probably want to steer clear of wearing orange and wear complementing colors instead, like tan, brown, maroon, navy, or mustard. Fall has such a great range of colors available to us, so there’s a wide array of color options we can draw from.

Pick Mom’s Outfit First

Let’s face it. Us moms are hardest on ourselves. So let’s make sure we look great before trying to plan the rest of the bunch. I always say to start with mom’s outfit and work from there because if you’re able to find a dress you love and feel great in first, chances are you can find coordinating outfits for the rest of your family members pretty easily.

I recommend a maxi dress for mom. They provide great movement for photos and they’re flattering on every body type. When in doubt, opt for a maxi dress.

Pick 2 or 3 Colors That Go Well Together

The colors you wear can help enhance or detract from the photos, no pressure or anything!

You’ll want to start by selecting two or three fall colors as your color palette. Think of the colors of fall, the colors of leaves when they change colors in the autumn season, and those warmer tones. Those fall colors are the ones you’ll want to gravitate towards. It’ll easily tie the family together without everyone looking too styled. When in doubt, tan is always a great neutralizing third color.

Instead of giving you vague ideas as to what works and what doesn’t, I thought I’d show you some inspiration (and even link the clothing items in my Amazon storefront directly so you can easily find them). After all, you’ve got more pressing things to do than to pick out outfits that will work together and I’m here to help! Here are a few ideas of colors that go together that are perfect for fall family photos.

Fall Family Outfit Ideas for Photos

Whether you’re into mustard, maroon, navy, or sage green, we’ve got all the ideas for you here on how to pick the perfect coordinating outfits for your family.

*Please note that as an Amazon affiliate, I earn commission from any qualifying purchases.

I hope this guide on what to wear for a fall family photo session helps you choose your family’s outfits and gives you some peace of mind so you can look forward to your session!

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