The one rule I give every family before a fall session is simple: coordinate, but don't dress alike. A small palette, mixed textures, comfortable layers and clothes that suit the location do most of the work. I usually settle on three or four related shades, then spread them through dresses, sweaters, pants, jackets, shoes and accessories so the group connects while each person still looks like themselves. Before anything is final, I ask about the temperature, the ground you'll be walking on and what's behind you in the frame. Kids who are comfortable and adults who feel good in their clothes look more natural in every shot. Here are fifteen complete family looks, from earthy neutrals to deeper seasonal color, for different places and weather.
Scout the Ground Before Anyone Picks Shoes
Shoes are where fall sessions go wrong most often, and it's rarely about style. It's the ground. An orchard after a night of rain, a field of tall grass at dusk, a gravel lane to a barn: each one is hard on shoes in its own way, and a photographer will often walk the family a fair distance between spots.
- Wet grass and dew: suede darkens and spots when it gets wet, and leather-soled dress shoes turn slippery. Treat suede with a protector spray a day or two ahead, or choose smooth leather.
- Soft fields and lawns: stilettos and thin block heels sink. A wide heel or a flat boot keeps you upright and saves the awkward wobble in walking shots.
- Gravel and trails: open sandals and thin flats let stones in. Ankle boots or lace-ups make the walk easy.
- Pumpkin patches and farms: mud is a real possibility, so pick boots you won't mind cleaning, and keep wipes in the car.
Kids need their own rule. Whatever they wear on their feet should be worn around the house for at least a week before the shoot. New shoes rub, and a child with a blister will tell you all about it in every frame. If the perfect pair isn't broken in yet, I'd rather see clean sneakers that already fit.
Ask your photographer where you'll actually be standing, and whether there's a walk from the parking area. That one question tells you more about shoe choice than any outfit photo will.
1. Cream and Camel Family Photo Outfits
Against bright leaves, cream and camel almost glow. One adult wears a cream knit midi with camel ankle boots and a slim brown belt; the other tan chinos, an ivory button-down and a camel cardigan with brown loafers. Kids can wear oatmeal sweaters, cream corduroy pants, tan skirts or simple knit dresses. Suede boots work on dry trails; clean neutral sneakers make more sense if the grass is wet. A small tan bag, gold studs or a cream hair bow is all I'd add. The thing that keeps a light palette from going flat is texture, so I make sure knit, cord, cotton and suede all show up somewhere in the group.
2. Rust and Denim Family Photo Outfits
Rust and denim feel right the moment there's a chill in the air. Start with a rust wrap dress or flowing midi skirt, brown boots and simple gold jewelry. The second adult wears dark jeans, a chambray shirt and a tobacco jacket with leather shoes. Children mix rust sweaters, medium-wash denim, ivory shirts and brown overalls. I hold back on the jeans here. If every person wears denim on the bottom, the lower half of the photo turns into one blue band. A single patterned dress or shirt can carry rust, cream and blue at once. Comfortable boots finish it for a pumpkin patch, farm or backyard.
3. Olive Green and Ivory Family Photo Outfits
Olive is a color that shows up in the frame without fighting the trees. My main outfit here is an ivory blouse tucked into an olive midi skirt, knee-high brown boots and a fine pendant. The second adult wears an olive overshirt, cream knit top, dark brown pants and casual leather boots. Kids might wear ivory dresses with green cardigans, olive chinos with cream henleys, or textured overalls over soft neutral shirts. When I see a family where every top is olive, I move some of it to skirts and trousers instead. A quiet floral in ivory, sage and brown can stitch it together. Forest trails and grassy fields suit this palette.
4. Burgundy and Navy Family Photo Outfits
Burgundy and navy are the dressiest pair in this roundup and hold up well once the trees are thinning. One adult can wear a burgundy midi with navy pumps or dark brown boots under a tailored navy coat; the other navy trousers, a pale blue shirt, a burgundy sweater and brown dress shoes. Children can mix navy dresses, burgundy cardigans, dark chinos and soft blue shirts. One small plaid in both colors is enough pattern. Both shades are dark, so I separate the people wearing the deepest pieces when I pose the group; otherwise one corner of the photo turns into a heavy dark block. Pearls and a leather watch finish it for city or garden portraits.
5. Chocolate Brown and Dusty Blue Family Photo Outfits
If the family is tired of orange, chocolate and dusty blue make a softer fall story. I'd lead with a dusty blue maxi, chocolate belt and tall brown boots, then put the second adult in brown corduroy pants, a pale blue shirt and a cream quarter-zip with suede shoes. Kids look pulled together in blue knit dresses, brown overalls, cream tights or blue shirts with dark denim. Texture beats extra prints here: corduroy, brushed cotton, chunky knit and suede. If you want a pattern, choose one small floral or check that holds the whole palette. A brown felt hat or blue hair ribbon is plenty. Lakes and stone walls suit it.
6. Mustard and Charcoal Family Photo Outfits
Mustard is my answer to a gray, overcast fall day, because it brings color back into a flat sky. One adult wears a mustard sweater with a charcoal pleated midi, black ankle boots and a small crossbody; the other charcoal trousers, a white button-down and a mustard cardigan with dark loafers. Kids can wear mustard knit dresses, gray tights, charcoal overalls, white shirts or dark jeans. Mustard is loud, so a little goes far. Charcoal outerwear and darker shoes keep it grounded and seasonal. One caution: mustard right under the chin can make some skin look sallow, so that person might wear it as a skirt or cardigan instead.
7. Sage Green and Taupe Family Photo Outfits
Sage and taupe make the calmest palette here. Picture a sage maxi with a taupe cardigan, nude ankle boots and small gold hoops, alongside taupe chinos, an ivory knit shirt and a sage jacket with brown casual shoes. Kids wear cream sweaters with sage skirts, taupe corduroy pants or light brown overalls. Keep the shapes relaxed but neat. Oversized layers in muted colors tend to hide everyone's shape, and the group ends up looking like a pile of soft fabric. Woven fabrics, ribbed knits and brushed cotton add quiet depth. Neutral socks and broken-in shoes keep little ones moving. Pale fields and orchards with golden grass suit it.
8. Plum and Gray Family Photo Outfits
Deep plum is the elegant option for families avoiding rust. Start with a plum sweater dress, gray wool coat and black or charcoal knee-high boots. The other adult wears dark gray trousers, a white shirt and a plum knit with polished black shoes. Kids might wear gray dresses with plum cardigans, charcoal pants with lavender shirts, or simple plum jumpsuits. I always mix light and dark grays, because all-charcoal with plum reads very formal and a little somber. One small herringbone, floral or windowpane adds interest. A gray wool coat also beats a puffer for photos, since it hangs straight instead of adding volume. Architecture and city parks suit it.
9. Terracotta and Cream Family Photo Outfits
Terracotta gives you warmth without the brightness of true orange. A flowing terracotta maxi with cream ankle boots and fine gold jewelry is a strong anchor; the second adult wears cream trousers, a tan sweater and a terracotta overshirt with brown shoes. Kids can wear ivory knitwear, clay-colored pants, cream dresses or tan overalls over white tops. Warm clay tones bounce color up onto skin, and too much of it can make cheeks look ruddy, so I keep plenty of light fabric near faces. A small botanical print can tie terracotta, beige and ivory together. Dry fields, red barns and leafy woodland paths all frame it well.
10. Black and Tan Family Photo Outfits
For families with pared-down closets, black and tan is the simplest look in this roundup. One adult wears a black midi dress with a cropped camel coat, tan boots and quiet gold accessories; the other black jeans, a cream sweater and a tan jacket with dark brown shoes. Kids can wear tan dresses with black cardigans, camel chinos with ivory shirts, or black overalls over beige knits. I put cream between the two strong colors, especially near faces. If every person wears a black top and you're shooting in shade, the whole group can sink into the background. Matte fabrics look more relaxed than shiny ones. Downtown streets and studios suit it.
11. Soft Blue and Brown Family Photo Outfits
Soft blue and warm brown are easy to put together from most closets. For the central outfit I'd choose a pale blue midi dress with a brown belt, caramel boots and a lightweight cream coat. The second adult wears chocolate chinos, a blue Oxford shirt and a tan knit jacket with loafers. Kids combine blue sweaters, brown corduroy bottoms, cream dresses and camel vests. Medium-wash denim fits, but pair it with textured brown pieces or the group starts to look like a weekend errand run. One quiet check or floral in blue and beige is enough. Ribbons, watches or small earrings finish it. Lakesides and country roads suit it.
12. Forest Green and Oatmeal Family Photo Outfits
Forest green next to oatmeal is one of my favorite contrasts for a cold-weather session. One adult wears an oatmeal sweater dress under a forest green coat, with brown knee-high boots and a slim belt; the other dark green chinos, a cream henley and a textured oatmeal cardigan. Kids look sweet in green velvet dresses, beige knit sweaters, tan trousers or cream overalls. Velvet is worth a mention: it photographs richly but shows every crease and crush mark, so it should go on last, not in the car seat. Spread the green across different garments. One small green-and-cream plaid can go on a child. Evergreens and cabins suit it.
13. Flannel and Denim Family Photo Outfits
Flannel and denim is the relaxed, familiar option, and it only works if the flannel is restrained. One adult wears a cream sweater, dark straight jeans, camel boots and a rust utility jacket; the other a muted green-and-navy flannel shirt, dark denim and brown boots. Kids can wear denim overalls, solid henleys, corduroy skirts or a simple flannel dress with neutral tights. One or two flannels at most, in colors pulled from the solids. Two different checks side by side buzz on camera. I also ask for straight or fitted cuts over very baggy shirts, which billow and add width. Neatly rolled sleeves suit orchards, fences and backyards.
14. Dressy Neutral Family Photo Outfits
Dressy neutrals give you a portrait that won't date itself in a few years. One adult wears a champagne, taupe or beige midi with nude pumps, pearl earrings and a tailored cream coat. The other wears dark brown trousers, a white shirt and a tan blazer with polished loafers. Children can wear ivory dresses, beige cardigans, brown pants or soft taupe sets with refined flats. Spread out the neutral depths so nobody vanishes into the person next to them. Satin accents look polished but reflect light in bright patches, so I balance them with matte knits and wool. No logos, no bold patterns. Studios and formal gardens suit this look.
15. Warm Weather Fall Family Photo Outfits
Plenty of families book fall photos when it's still 80 degrees out, and sweaters in that heat lead to flushed faces and grumpy kids. Seasonal color can do the job instead. One adult wears an olive or rust short-sleeve midi with woven flats, a slim belt and light gold jewelry; the other tan chinos, a cream polo or linen-blend shirt and brown loafers. Kids can wear terracotta cotton dresses, sage shorts with ivory tops or light tan overalls with clean sneakers. A denim jacket or thin cardigan can come out for a few frames once the evening cools. Linen wrinkles fast, so I steam it right before leaving. Gardens, beaches and southern parks suit it.
Small Details the Camera Catches First
Once the outfits are settled, there's a short list of small things I check on every family before the first frame. None of them take long, and every one of them is easier to fix on the day than in editing.
- Hair ties on wrists. They show up in nearly every hugging and hand-holding pose. Move them to a pocket or the car.
- Phones, keys and wallets in pockets. They make a visible bulge in trousers and coats, especially in seated shots.
- Glasses. Lenses reflect the sky and hide eyes. Anti-reflective lenses help, and tilting the frames slightly down at the ears cuts most of the glare.
- Haircuts. A fresh cut can look blunt in photos, so a week or two of growing out usually looks more natural.
- Tags, stickers and fold lines on new clothes. Remove tags, steam out packaging creases and check the soles of new shoes for price stickers, which show when kids sit cross-legged.
- Hands. Hands show up in a lot of family poses, so a chipped manicure or marker on a child's fingers will be in the photos.
I also pack a small kit for every session: safety pins, a lint roller, a stain pen, bobby pins and a spare hair tie, kept out of sight. It fits in a coat pocket and solves most of the little problems that come up between the car and the first frame.
One Piece You Love, Then Build Outward
Coordinating gets easier once you start from one piece you love and keep the palette small around it. Mix light, medium and dark shades across the group, then add interest with knitwear, corduroy, denim, suede or one controlled pattern. Everyone should be able to sit, walk and play in what they're wearing. Try the outfits on together before the session and take a quick phone photo, because a screen shows an unbalanced color or a clashing pattern faster than a mirror does. Dress the family as themselves, not in a matching uniform. Sensible shoes and comfortable layers will do more for the final photos than any single trend.
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