The changing colors of the autumn leaves make for a picturesque backdrop for family portraits! Of course everyone always asks, what should you wear to complement the scenery? Clients often come to me with questions about wardrobe selection, so here are some tips to help you with outfit selection for your next Fall family photo session with Danielle Sara Photography!

Generally, I always recommend going for simple textures and soft layers. For example, this could look like a chunky knit sweater paired with a vest, which implies the coziness of autumn. Or, a flowy dress with chunky boots and a scarf.

The most important features that we want to highlight in the photos are the faces, the eyes and the smiles! The best way to do that is to choose natural and minimalistic clothing that fits well and coordinates with the whole family. But this doesn’t mean having to sacrifice color! Fall scenery goes well with: denim, mustard yellow, black, navy blue, purple, jewel tones, white, gray, red and of course always neutrals … with a hint of color.

I recommend picking an outfit for Mom first (always the hardest!) and then working in the other family members around that so they all coordinate, but don’t match exactly.

Stay away from wearing a lot of green when having photos taken in grassy or wooded areas. Avoid fluorescent colors, logos and bold graphics on clothing that will age a portrait. Also be careful wearing white. If you have fair skin or blonde hair, white tends to wash out skin tones. White is fine as an accent color.

I suggest laying all the clothes out to see how everything works together!

For a bit more guidance on your outfit choices, I recommend these 4 tips to keep in mind …

Coordinating instead of matching: Pick 3-4 colors and highlight that color palette within your family’s clothing. For example, if one of your colors is blue, each person can wear a different blue garment or accessory within their outfit. Another way to coordinate is to select a patterned piece for one person to wear, and then choose clothes for the rest of the family using those colors in that piece.
Dressing from head to toe: Don’t forget about the shoes and any accessories! They should complement your color scheme as well. Avoid sneakers, and instead go for a more polished look with dress shoes. Or for a more cozy look, choose some cute beanies and fuzzy scarves. Dress your kids in clothes that fit perfectly, not with room to grow.
Incorporate Layers: This is a perfect technique to do in Fall weather, since you can create a variety of warmth by either adding or removing layers. It's also an opportunity to create depth using different textures and colors, such as denim, corduroy or cozy knits in neutral earth tones. We’re talking about more than just a cardigan or a scarf. Think ribbed tights for little girls, a jean shirt over a boy’s henley or a vest to complete Dad’s outfit.
Creating movement with fabric: If the women in the family are thinking of wearing dresses or skirts, choose garments that create movement. This will make the photos feel more elegant, and also makes for great interactive shots! It’s fun to dress up a bit and this is a great opportunity to do just that! Consider twirling dresses for the girls and knee-length or longer skirts for moms.

Check out some outfit ideas for your family on my Pinterest board HERE.

A few of my favorite stores to find great clothes for the entire family: Zara, H&M, Gap, Old Navy, Jcrew, Janie & Jack, Target, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, and of course Amazon!

Find shopping links in my Amazon Storefront HERE.

For even more outfit inspiration, take a look at the photos below of the adorable kids and families I’ve photographed during previous Fall sessions!