Dressing a whole family for November photos is mostly a color problem, and once the palette is set, the rest gets easy. I plan every family session around a small group of shades shared across everyone, with different textures and pieces so nobody looks like part of a uniform. The palettes below each come with a direction for adults, kids and babies, and they suit parks, wooded trails, city streets, studios and sessions at home. Keep busy prints to a minimum, leave room for each person's personality, and above all make sure everyone can sit, walk and play in what they're wearing. Kids who are comfortable give you real expressions.
Dress the Hardest Person First, Then Pull Colors From Them
When I plan a family session, I never start with the kids. I start with whichever outfit is hardest to find, which is usually the main adult's dress or the one patterned piece in the group. Once that's settled, I take two or three colors from it and assign them across everyone else, adding one neutral that appears in every outfit.
Then I check the balance by position, not by person. The people standing at the edges of the group should be slightly lighter or quieter than the middle, and the darkest colors work best low in the frame, on trousers and shoes, rather than on tops. If one child ends up in the only bright color, they'll be the first thing anyone sees in every picture.
- Choose the anchor outfit and pull two or three colors from it.
- Add one neutral, such as cream or camel, that every person wears somewhere.
- Give each person a different shade or texture of the shared colors.
- Lay all the outfits out together and remove anything that jumps out.
1. Cream And Camel November Family Photo Outfits
Cream and camel is the palette I fall back on when a family can't agree, because it suits almost every complexion and every November backdrop. One adult wears a cream sweater dress with tan knee-high boots and a camel coat; the other wears dark brown trousers, an ivory knit and leather boots. Kids go into oatmeal sweaters, camel corduroy, cream dresses or tan overalls, and a baby into a textured ivory romper with soft brown booties. The trick is keeping every shade a little different. Five people in the identical cream turn into one pale blur once they stand close together. Gold earrings and a tan bag are plenty.
2. Olive Green And Beige November Family Photo Outfits
Olive looks at home in a November landscape, and it's easy to find in kids' clothing, which matters more than people think. A woman could wear an olive midi dress with a long beige cardigan and brown ankle boots, with a man in a cream button-down, olive chinos and tan boots. Children wear beige knit dresses, olive pullovers, corduroy or neutral vests. If anyone wears a pattern, make it a small floral or quiet check in those same colors. I spread the olive around rather than giving everyone an equal dose of it; a sleeve here, a vest there, so the group reads as connected without looking matched.
3. Burgundy And Navy November Family Photo Outfits
Burgundy with navy is a dressier choice than the usual browns, and it suits a studio or city session. One adult wears a burgundy wrap dress, a navy wool coat and taupe heeled boots, and the other wears navy trousers, a pale blue shirt and a burgundy sweater or textured jacket. Kids look sharp in navy dresses, burgundy cardigans, cream tights or dark trousers with loafers, while a baby's ivory knit set softens the deep colors. Treat burgundy as the accent, and keep the group's shoes in navy or brown. Navy also holds its detail in shade much better than black, which I appreciate with squirming kids who won't stand in the light.
4. Rust And Denim November Family Photo Outfits
Rust and denim is the relaxed option, the one families can often pull straight from their closets. One adult wears a rust midi skirt, a fitted cream sweater, a denim jacket and brown ankle boots; the other wears dark jeans, a chambray shirt and a camel overshirt. Kids go into rust sweaters, denim dresses, cream tops or brown cord, and a baby into denim overalls over an oatmeal bodysuit with rust socks. Mix two or three denim washes on purpose instead of hoping five pairs of jeans happen to match. Keep any distressing small; a big knee rip draws the eye in every seated shot.
5. Chocolate Brown November Family Photo Outfits
Chocolate brown looks modern when it's lifted with ivory, taupe and beige. I'd put one adult in a flowing brown maxi with a cream coat and taupe suede boots, and the other in chocolate trousers, an oatmeal knit polo and dark brown loafers. Kids wear ivory sweaters, brown cord, taupe dresses or a subtly checked shirt. With this much brown, texture does the heavy lifting: wool, rib, brushed cotton and suede keep the group from looking flat. Pearl earrings or cream headbands are as far as I'd go with accessories. Deep brown stands out best against pale grass and open sky.
6. Gray And Blue November Family Photo Outfits
Gray and muted blue suit a cloudy November day better than warm palettes do, since the cool tones match the light instead of fighting it. One adult wears a dusty blue sweater dress, a charcoal coat and gray suede boots; the other wears charcoal chinos with a light gray sweater over a pale blue collar. Kids go into blue-gray cardigans, soft plaid shirts, charcoal skirts or medium-wash jeans. Add ivory somewhere in each outfit so the group doesn't read dark. I'd swap black shoes for gray, taupe or dark brown, which look less heavy at the bottom of the frame. Lakes, evergreens and city stone all suit it.
7. Mustard And Cream November Family Photo Outfits
Mustard is cheerful, but it's the color I ration hardest in a family group. Give it to two or three people at most, depending on how many of you there are, and let cream, camel and brown carry the rest. One person wears a mustard midi dress with a cream cardigan and cognac boots, while the other adults wear cream sweaters, camel trousers, dark jeans or brown jackets. Kids look great in mustard cardigans, ivory dresses, tan overalls and soft brown shoes. A mustard bow or knit hat can link anyone left out. Fields and parks with the last of the foliage suit it best.
8. Black And Tan November Family Photo Outfits
Black can work in family photos if you keep it away from the littlest faces. One adult wears a black midi dress under a camel coat with tan boots and gold jewelry; another chooses black trousers, a beige turtleneck and a textured brown jacket. The kids stay in the lighter half of the palette: tan knitwear, camel dresses and cream shirts, with black only on their legs as corduroy. A row of solid black tops looks severe and loses detail, so mix wool coats, ribbed sweaters, suede and smooth cotton instead. This polished palette fits downtown, architectural and plain studio backgrounds.
9. Plaid And Neutral November Family Photo Outfits
Plaid works best as one focused accent in a mostly solid group. I start with a single plaid dress or shirt containing cream, brown, olive and rust, then pull those colors into everyone else. One adult might wear a rust midi dress with brown boots, the other an olive sweater, khaki trousers and loafers. Kids wear cream cardigans, brown pants, neutral dresses or the one plaid skirt. A second plaid is where it falls apart; two different checks next to each other vibrate in a photo. Classic shoes and minimal jewelry keep it relaxed. Farms, porches and wooded trails suit this one.
10. Sage Green November Family Photo Outfits
Sage is a lighter take on November and pairs easily with cream, stone and warm taupe. One adult wears a sage maxi with a cropped cream cardigan and taupe boots, the other stone trousers, an ivory shirt and a sage overshirt. Kids go into cream knit dresses, muted green sweaters, khakis or taupe overalls, and a baby into a pale oatmeal romper with a sage blanket or bonnet. Skip bright emerald accessories; they shout over such a quiet palette. Sage can look gray under heavy cloud, so I lean on texture, rib and cable especially, to keep it from flattening out. Evergreens and dried grass suit it.
11. Blush And Taupe November Family Photo Outfits
Blush and taupe give you warmth without the usual autumn shades, and the key is the exact pink. Muted, dusty blush photographs softly; bright candy pink jumps out of the frame and makes skin look ruddy beside it. One adult wears a dusty blush midi dress with a taupe coat and neutral ankle boots, the other taupe trousers, a cream knit and a muted rose or brown jacket. Kids wear soft pink cardigans, oatmeal sweaters, beige skirts or tan cord. One small floral print can tie it together; keep the rest solid. Rose-gold jewelry, cream bows and suede shoes finish it. Pale fields and light studios suit it.
12. Forest Green November Family Photo Outfits
Forest green adds color while keeping a classic feel, with one caution: in a pine forest, green on green can disappear. If your backdrop is full of evergreens, keep the lightest pieces near everyone's faces. One adult wears a forest green sweater dress with camel boots and a long cream coat; another wears dark jeans or brown trousers with an ivory shirt and a green quilted jacket. Kids go into cream knits, forest green dresses, tan pants or brown vests. Cognac leather shoes and gold accessories keep it warm. It's practical enough for an active outdoor session and moves indoors to a room with wood or neutral decor.
13. Maroon And Cream November Family Photo Outfits
Maroon and cream have a clear contrast that holds up across every age in the group. Start one adult in a maroon maxi with a cream scarf and medium-brown boots, and the other in cream trousers, a maroon knit and a camel jacket. Kids wear ivory sweaters, maroon cord, beige dresses or a fine stripe with both colors, and a baby a cream cable-knit romper with maroon socks or a small bow. Spread the maroon instead of putting everyone in matching tops. Brown shoes keep it softer than black. Stone buildings, wood fences, dried fields or a plain cream studio wall all suit it.
14. Denim And White November Family Photo Outfits
Denim and white can work in November once the fabrics get heavier. One adult wears a white knit dress with a dark denim jacket and caramel boots; the other wears dark-wash jeans, an ivory sweater and a medium-blue chore coat. Kids wear denim dresses over cream turtlenecks, white sweaters with jeans, or chambray shirts with brown pants. White on small children near a muddy field is brave, so I'd keep the white on top and the denim below, and bring wipes. Vary the washes, avoid big distressed patches, and warm it all up with tan belts and boots. A barn, porch or park suits it.
15. Purple And Gray November Family Photo Outfits
Muted purple with gray is an unexpected palette that looks refined when the purples stay dusty. Plum, mauve and soft lavender all work; anything bright looks out of place in late fall. One adult wears a plum midi with a light gray coat and taupe boots, the other charcoal trousers, a pale gray sweater and a muted purple shirt. Kids coordinate in lavender cardigans, gray dresses, plum cord or cream knitwear. If you want a pattern, a floral dress with plum, gray and cream can anchor the whole group. Silver jewelry and neutral shoes finish it. Gardens, studios and softly wooded spots suit it.
16. Corduroy And Knit November Family Photo Outfits
When the palette is simple, texture can become the theme, and it's my favorite approach for close, cuddled-up poses where the camera sees fabric up close. One adult wears a cream knit top, a camel corduroy skirt, tights and brown boots; the other olive cord trousers, an oatmeal sweater and a tan jacket. Kids mix ribbed cardigans, cord overalls, sweater dresses and soft leather shoes in rust, beige or chocolate, and a baby goes in a knitted romper. Balance chunky knits with fine-gauge ones and wide-wale cord with smoother pieces. Do check every knit for itchiness on the kids; a scratchy collar means a cranky toddler within minutes.
17. Monochrome Beige November Family Photo Outfits
All-beige families can look sophisticated, but only if every person wears a different tone. One adult wears a taupe sweater dress, a long camel coat and beige boots; another light khaki trousers, a cream turtleneck and a darker tan jacket. Kids wear oatmeal knits, sand corduroy, ivory dresses or warm beige overalls. One or two medium-brown accessories give the group edges. Beige sits close to many skin tones, so hold each piece against the person who'll wear it in daylight; if it nearly matches, pick a shade lighter or darker. Studios and darker woodland settings make this palette stand out.
18. Red And Brown November Family Photo Outfits
Brick red brings energy to an earthy brown palette without taking over. One adult wears a brick-red wrap dress with chocolate boots and a camel coat, the other brown chinos, an ivory shirt and a rust-red sweater. Kids wear tan dresses, cream knits, dark brown trousers or small red accents. Stick to softened reds like brick, cranberry or clay; a vivid primary red on a toddler pulls every eye in the frame toward them. Leather belts, suede shoes and a little gold jewelry finish it. It's a dependable choice for farms, wooded paths and rustic indoor spaces.
19. Charcoal And Camel November Family Photo Outfits
Charcoal and camel balance a cool tone against a warm one, which is why it flatters mixed complexions in a single family. One adult wears a charcoal sweater dress, a camel coat and taupe knee-high boots, the other camel chinos, a gray turtleneck and a dark wool jacket. Kids combine light gray sweaters, tan cord, charcoal skirts, cream tights and brown shoes. Put ivory near the small children's faces so the charcoal doesn't weigh on them. One subtle gray-and-tan check on a shirt, scarf or dress is plenty. Silver or gold both work, and it looks right downtown or against trees and dried grass.
20. Jewel Tone November Family Photo Outfits
Jewel tones are for families who want real color, and they need the most discipline. Combine emerald, sapphire, plum and deep teal with charcoal or cream for balance. One adult might wear a teal midi with neutral boots, the other charcoal trousers, a cream shirt and an emerald sweater. Kids wear plum cardigans, navy dresses, dark teal pants or ivory knits. My rule here: one dominant color, one supporting shade, and a neutral running through everyone. Skip patterns entirely, since the colors already supply all the interest the photo can take. Studios, historic buildings and subdued late-fall scenery suit it.
Kids, Wet Grass and the Snack Break
Late-fall ground is often damp even on a dry day, and small children will kneel, sit and roll in it. Dark tights or leggings under dresses hide grass marks far better than pale ones, and corduroy and denim shrug off a wet knee better than a fine knit. For a baby who'll be laid on a blanket, choose a romper that doesn't ride up around the tummy.
I dress young kids last, ideally in the car or right at the location, so their outfits arrive clean. Pack snacks that won't stain, like crackers or apple slices, and keep a spare top in the bag. Check every waistband, collar and tag for itch at home; a child who's uncomfortable in their clothes stays that way for the whole session.
Shop Your Closets Before You Buy a Thing
Most families already own half of a good palette. Pull every candidate piece out of every closet, sweaters, jeans, boots and coats, and sort them by color on the floor. Usually one palette above already has a head start, and you only need to buy one or two items to finish it. That's also the cheapest way to make the result look like your family rather than a catalog, since the clothes are things you actually wear.
A Small Palette Makes the Rest Easy
Every palette above works the same way: pick a small set of colors and build each person's outfit inside it. Mix dresses, sweaters, trousers and coats, and vary the shades and textures so the group has depth. One subtle pattern can anchor everything, but solids should do most of the work. Think about the location, the temperature and how easily the kids can move. The night before, lay every outfit out side by side on the floor and take a photo of the whole group's clothes. If one piece jumps out on your phone screen, it'll jump out in the real photos too, so swap it before morning.
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