Outfit Inspiration Guide for Family Photos in the Fall

🍂 What to Wear for Fall Family Photos

Fall is one of my favourite seasons for family photos! The changing leaves, warm light and cozy textures create beautiful, timeless images.

When choosing outfits, think warm, soft, classic and comfortable. You don’t need everyone in matching outfits, instead, choose colours and textures that coordinate beautifully together.

To help, I added a checklist for your Outfit Inspiration Guide, at the bottom of the page for you to print off and check as your prepare your outfits for your family photo session.

🤎 My Favourite Fall Colour Palette

Think about incorporating: Cream • Oatmeal • Beige • Camel • Tan • Mocha • Warm Brown • Rust • Terracotta • Muted Olive • Sage • Dusty Blue • Denim • Soft Mustard.

These colours work beautifully together and complement the natural colours of the Kawartha Lakes in the fall. I hope these Outfit Inspiration Guide images help you. Save them to your phone and use them as you go shopping.

🧶 Cream Knits Are Always a Good Idea

A cozy cream or oatmeal sweater is one of my favourite pieces for fall photos. Knits add beautiful texture to photographs and give your images that warm, cozy feeling.

Try:
• Chunky knit sweaters
• Cable-knit cardigans
• Knit dresses
• Cozy scarves
• Textured sweaters
• Corduroy pants or skirts
• Denim
• Linen or textured fabrics

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Think Coordinating, Not Matching

Instead of putting everyone in the same colour, choose 3–5 colours from the palette and spread them throughout the family.

For example: Cream + Camel + Rust + Denim + Olive or Oatmeal + Brown + Dusty Blue + Sage + Tan

One person might wear rust while someone else has a small amount of rust in a cardigan, scarf or dress. This creates a cohesive look without everyone looking identical. Be sure to look at the Outfit Inspiration Guide above to help.

Start with one outfit you absolutely love, perhaps Mom’s dress or your child’s favourite sweater and build everyone else’s outfits around it.

A great family combination might be:

Mom: Cream knit dress + brown boots
Dad: Chambray shirt + tan pants
Child: Rust sweater + denim
Child: Olive dress + cream cardigan

Family fall photography Outfit Inspiration Guide

🍁Add Texture & Layers

Fall is the perfect time to layer!

Think:
• Sweaters
• Cardigans
• Vests
• Denim jackets
• Corduroy
• Knits
• Scarves
• Boots
• Textured dresses

Layers also give you opportunities to make small changes during your session without completely changing outfits.

🚫 Colours I’d Avoid

For my style of photography, I recommend avoiding: Neon colours • Bright primary colours • Pure white • Solid black

Very bright colours can draw attention away from the people in the photograph, while pure white and black can create a much stronger contrast than the softer, natural look we’re going for.

Instead of white, try cream, ivory, oatmeal or beige. Instead of black, try chocolate brown, espresso, charcoal, navy or deep olive.

Family wearing cream, olive and rust outfits during a fall photography session in Kawartha Lakes.

Family wearing cream, olive and brown outfits during a fall photography session in Kawartha Lakes.

👟 Don’t Forget the Shoes!

Shoes are part of the outfit too! Brown boots, tan boots, leather shoes, loafers, neutral sneakers or simple sandals can work beautifully depending on the location and weather.

Try to avoid very bright athletic shoes or shoes with large logos.