What to Wear for Fall Photos (Without Looking Like a Lumberjack)
There’s something about fall family photos that immediately makes people think:
Plaid. Boots. Orange. More plaid.
And listen, I love fall as much as anyone. Give me the foliage, the chilly air, the apple orchards and all the cozy things. But your family doesn’t have to show up looking like you’re headed to a lumberjack convention for your photos to feel like fall.
The best fall outfits aren’t necessarily the ones that scream FALL.
They’re the ones that work with the season, photograph beautifully together, and most importantly, still feel like you.
Start with a feeling, not a color palette
Before you start shopping, think about what you actually want your photos to feel like.
Cozy and relaxed? A little more elevated? Playful and casual? Romantic and outdoorsy?
Where we’re taking the photos matters too.
→An apple orchard might call for something a little more casual and textured.
→A walk through Boston can handle something more polished.
→A beach or marsh session might look beautiful with softer, lighter neutrals.
Your location is already doing a lot of the work when it comes to making your photos feel seasonal.
Your clothes don’t have to do all of it.
Coordinate. Please don't match.
This is probably my biggest piece of advice.
You want everyone to look like they belong in the same photograph, not like everyone ordered the same outfit in a different size.
Instead of choosing one color for everyone, choose a small palette and pull different shades from it.
For fall, I love combinations like cream, camel, chocolate brown, olive, denim, charcoal, muted rust, dusty blue, burgundy and soft earthy neutrals.
One person might wear a cream sweater. Someone else wears denim. Another has a brown jacket. Someone has a subtle pattern that pulls a few of those colors together.
It feels connected without feeling coordinated.
Need a little more inspo?
I put together a whole Instagram post with fall color palettes and outfit ideas to help you see how everything can work together. → Take a peek here.
Texture is your friend
This is one of the easiest ways to make an outfit feel like fall without covering everyone in pumpkins and plaid.
Think chunky knits, corduroy, denim, suede, linen, wool, leather boots, quilted jackets and soft sweaters.
Texture photographs beautifully because it gives an image depth, especially when your color palette is fairly neutral.
A cream cable-knit sweater with jeans can feel more fall than an orange-and-black plaid shirt ever will.
Let one person have the pattern
Patterns aren't banned. I promise.
But you probably don't want four different ones competing for attention.
If someone is wearing a floral dress, plaid overshirt or patterned sweater, let that be the starting point.
Pull colors from that piece when choosing everyone else's outfits.
That way, the pattern ties everyone together instead of fighting with everything else in the photo.
Layers make everything better
Jackets. Cardigans. Overshirts. Scarves. Sweaters.
Not only do layers look great in fall photos, but they give us options without anyone needing an entire outfit change.
We can start with the jacket on, take it off, throw the sweater over your shoulders, roll sleeves, tuck something in — suddenly one outfit gives us several slightly different looks.
And because my sessions involve a lot more than standing still and smiling at me, layers also give you something to do.
Think about movement
This is the part people don't always consider when choosing an outfit.
I want you to be able to walk.
Run after your kids.
Pick someone up.
Climb onto a rock.
Wander down one of those quirky little side roads we inevitably find.
If you're constantly pulling your shirt down, worried about your skirt riding up or unable to move in your shoes, you're going to feel it, and eventually, we're going to see it in the photos.
Wear something you feel good moving in, not just something that looks good standing in front of a mirror.
You don't have to wear dark colors just because it's fall
This might be my hill to die on.
Creams and lighter neutrals are so good in fall.
They stand out against darker trees and foliage, keep skin tones looking beautiful and give your gallery that soft, creamy look that I love.
You can absolutely wear white after Labor Day. I will personally allow it.
And moms, start with yourself
Seriously.
Before you buy outfits for everyone else and then realize you're left trying to find something that works with all of them, pick yours first.
Choose something you feel genuinely good in.
Then build everyone else's outfits around you.
You are not an afterthought in your family photos.
A few things I'd probably skip
I don't have a giant list of photography fashion rules, because I want you to look like you.
But I generally recommend avoiding huge logos, neon colors, extremely tiny/busy patterns and anything you know you'll spend the entire session adjusting.
And matching plaid shirts? I'm not saying absolutely never. I'm just saying... we can do better. 😉
The goal isn't a perfectly styled family
It's photos that feel like your family. The outfits should complement that, not become the whole story.
So bring the sweaters. Bring the boots. Bring the layers and beautiful earthy colors.
But also bring the weird jokes, the kids who won't stop moving, the person who hates having their picture taken and whatever makes your family actually yours.
We'll let New England handle the fall part.
Ready for your own fall photos?
If you'd rather spend your session actually doing something together than worrying about where to put your hands, we're probably going to get along.
Fall sessions are booking throughout Boston, the North Shore and New England.
Come as yourselves. I'll take care of the photos.
