What to Wear for Fall Family Photos | Cary & Apex NC Family Photographer
You booked your fall family photos... now comes the question I hear all the time:
What are we going to wear?!
Choosing outfits for the whole family can feel a little overwhelming, but it really doesn't have to be. The goal isn't for everyone to match. Instead, you want your outfits to coordinate while still letting everyone look and feel like themselves.
Whether you're planning fall family photos in Cary, Apex, Raleigh, or the surrounding area, here are a few of my favorite tips for putting together outfits that photograph beautifully.
Start With a Color Palette
Instead of choosing one color for everyone, pick a palette of three or four colors that work well together.
For fall, I love colors like:
Cream and ivory
Camel and warm brown
Rust and terracotta
Olive and sage green
Mustard
Burgundy and wine
Navy and dusty blue
Muted mauve
You don't necessarily have to stick with traditional fall colors either. Soft neutrals with touches of blue, green, or dusty pink can look beautiful against fall scenery.
Think coordinated, not matching.
Choose One Outfit First
If you're not sure where to begin, start with the person who has the most specific outfit. This is often Mom!
A patterned or textured dress can be a great starting point. Once you have that piece, pull a few colors from it to help choose everyone else's clothing.
For example, if Mom is wearing a floral dress with cream, rust, and olive, Dad might wear a cream shirt with khaki or brown pants while the kids wear different combinations of those same colors.
Everyone looks like they belong together without wearing identical outfits.
Mix Textures and Layers
Fall is perfect for adding texture.
Think chunky knits, cardigans, denim, corduroy, linen, sweaters, boots, jackets, scarves, and other subtle layers.
Texture adds interest to your photos without being distracting. Layers are also helpful for North Carolina fall weather because we all know an October evening can either feel perfectly crisp... or somehow still feel like summer!
Don't Be Afraid of Patterns
Patterns are absolutely okay!
The trick is not putting everyone in a pattern.
If one family member is wearing a floral dress, plaid shirt, or another patterned piece, keep most of the other outfits a little simpler. You can then pull colors from that pattern to coordinate everyone else.
Small, subtle patterns usually photograph better than very large or bold prints.
What Should You Avoid?
There aren't many hard rules, but there are a few things I usually recommend avoiding for family photos:
Large logos or graphics can pull attention away from your faces.
Neon colors can reflect color onto skin and can be distracting.
Everyone wearing the exact same thing can make your photos feel more dated. We can leave the matching white shirts and jeans in the '90s!
Most importantly, avoid anything that you or your children are uncomfortable wearing. If your child hates a certain sweater before you leave the house, they're probably still going to hate it when we start taking pictures.
Comfort matters!
Don't Forget the Shoes
Shoes are easy to forget when planning family outfits, but they will show in your photos.
Boots, loafers, flats, neutral sneakers, and simple dress shoes all work beautifully depending on the look you're going for.
Try to avoid athletic sneakers or brightly colored shoes unless they are intentionally part of the outfit.
And remember where we're shooting. If your session is in a field or natural area, stilettos probably aren't going to be your best friend!
Dress for Your Family
Pinterest is wonderful for inspiration, but your family doesn't have to look exactly like the family in the inspiration photo.
If your family is more casual, be casual.
If you love getting dressed up, dress up!
Your family photos should still feel like you.
I'll be linking some of my favorite Fall Family Photo Outfit Inspiration boards on Pinterest below if you need a little visual inspiration while you're planning.
Fall Family Photography in Cary & Apex, NC
Fall is one of the most popular times of year for family photography in the Triangle. The softer light, changing scenery, and cooler temperatures make October and November especially beautiful for outdoor family photos.
I photograph families throughout Apex, Cary, Raleigh, Holly Springs, Morrisville, and surrounding areas, and I'm always happy to help my clients decide what to wear based on their session location.
If you're still unsure about your outfits after booking, send them my way! I'm happy to help you decide what will photograph best.
Looking for Fall Family Photos?
I'm currently booking a limited number of Fall Family Mini Sessions along with full family sessions.
My Fall Mini Sessions are 15 minutes and include 7 professionally edited digital images for $265.
They're perfect if you're looking for a quick family update, photos for holiday cards, gifts for grandparents, or a few new images for your walls.
VIEW FALL MINI SESSION DATES & BOOK YOUR SESSION
I can't wait to photograph your family this fall!
