Planning Fall Family Photos Outfits can feel like the hardest part of booking a family session. You’ve already wrangled nap schedules, snacks, and your partner’s calendar, and now you’re supposed to be a stylist too? Deep breaths, Mama. I promise it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a few simple tips, we’ll make sure your crew looks coordinated, comfortable, and effortlessly beautiful for those cozy fall family photos you’ll treasure forever.
I’ve created my collection of timeless inspiration style guides for Fall Family Photos Outfits to help your family feel confident, comfortable, and camera-ready.
(Scroll to the end of this post for four style boards with outfit picks for the whole family!)
Gone are the days of everyone showing up in identical white shirts and jeans. Instead, aim for 2 – 4 complementary tones that work beautifully together. Think cozy neutrals, rust orange or burnt orange, deep greens, mustard yellows, or even touches of black. These shades blend effortlessly and look stunning against fall’s golden backdrops.
Earth tones truly shine this season. Rusty oranges, mustard yellows, chambray blues, sage greens, and warm creams all photograph beautifully. For a softer look, swap pure white for ivory, cream, or tan.
We’ll likely be in a natural outdoor setting such as a field, park, or golden light streaming through the trees, so your clothing should reflect that same organic, relaxed vibe. Cozy sweaters, light layers, and neutral-toned boots or sandals are always a win. Layers aren’t just practical for chilly weather, they also photograph beautifully. Cardigans, vests, or soft jackets add movement and dimension, and if the kids get too warm, you can simply peel a layer off without losing the look.
Delicate patterns like soft florals, light stripes, or subtle plaids can add just the right amount of variety.
When choosing outfits for your photo session, knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to wear. The goal is to keep the focus on your connection, your expressions, and the emotion of the moment. Here are a few things to skip to help create timeless, beautiful images.
Graphic Tees and Logos
Clothing with large logos, characters, or text can be distracting in photos. They tend to pull focus away from your faces and often feel dated over time. Choose simple, classic pieces that highlight connection rather than clothing.
Bright or Bold Colors
Neon colors and high-contrast patterns can reflect onto skin and pull attention away from the people in the photo. Soft neutrals, earthy tones, and gentle colors tend to photograph best, especially in natural light.
Hats with Brims
Hats with brims or visors can create shadows across the face and eyes, especially in natural light. If you want to accessorize, a soft knit beanie or headband works well without blocking light.
Wrinkle-Prone Fabrics
Clothing that wrinkles easily can become a distraction, especially if you are sitting, holding kids, or moving around. Choose fabrics that hold their shape and take time to steam or iron outfits before your session so you feel polished and photo ready.
Bruises and Scrapes
If you or your child has a visible bruise or scrape and you prefer not to highlight it, consider wearing long sleeves or pants to gently cover the area. Of course, if it feels like a sweet part of your current season, we can always embrace it.
When you feel good, you look good. When you’re comfortable, you relax. And when you relax, that’s when the magic happens. Choose breathable fabrics, stretchy outfits for kids, and shoes everyone can actually walk in.
If your toddler feels like they’re wrapped in a stiff, tight jacket, trust me, it’ll show in the photos. Embrace soft knits, flowy dresses, or comfort boots. Relaxed families make the most joyful images.
Want to elevate your Fall Family Photos Outfits without relying on bold prints? Texture is your best friend. Fabrics like linen, gauze, chunky knits, pleated satin skirts, or swiss dots to add richness and depth to photos.
Light layering also helps. Think: an button-up shirt, a cozy cardigan, or a soft scarf. These little touches create visual interest while keeping your look timeless.
I always recommend starting with mom. Pick something that makes you feel amazing and then build everyone else around it. If you choose a pattern, let the rest of the family wear solids. If you wear a solid, let one other family member bring in a subtle pattern.
Dresses with empire or high waists work beautifully, especially in bold colors like rust red or mustard yellow to to really make you pop and stand out in photos.
Utlimately, your favorite photos won’t be the ones with perfectly coordinated Fall Family Photos Outfits. They’ll be the ones where you’re laughing, hugging, and playing with your kids. Outfits set the stage, but your connection is the real magic.
I’ve linked some of these Fall Family Photos Outfits to Amazon for visual purposes and for the ease of online shopping with fast shipping because busy moms don’t always have time to hit the mall (amen to that!). But remember, the main purpose of these outfit combinations is to serve as timeless inspiration style guides. You can take these colors and textures as a starting point and shop anywhere you like—whether that’s your own closet, a favorite local boutique, or your go-to online store.
For more outfit inspiration, check out my curated Amazon List – Fall Family Photo Outfits.




As moms, we know dragging kids in and out of stores is no joke. Online shopping makes planning Fall Family Photos Outfits so much easier, and with Amazon Prime it honestly feels like having a personal shopping assistant. Kid snacks, last-minute accessories, you name it, it’s at my door in no time. That said, I also love browsing local boutiques for those one-of-a-kind pieces that make an outfit feel extra special.
To make life easier, I’ve linked some of these Fall Family Photos Outfits to Amazon for visual inspiration and the convenience of fast shipping, because let’s be honest, busy moms don’t always have time to drive through traffic, find parking, and hit the fitting rooms. The real purpose of these outfit combinations is to give you timeless style inspiration. Use these colors and textures as a starting point, then shop wherever you like, whether that’s your own closet, a favorite boutique, or your go-to online store.
If you love having outfit guides and shopping links at your fingertips, be sure to sign up for my VIP Email List. I send out seasonal outfit guides, curated Amazon lists, and helpful shopping links to make preparing for your photoshoot stress-free. Plus, being on my list means you’ll be the first to know about promotions, seasonal mini sessions, special offers, and more.
If you’re ready to start planning your Fall Family Photos Outfits, scroll through the style boards in this post. Mix and match with what you already have in your closet and layer in a few new pieces if you’d like. Remember, the goal is timeless, cozy, and connection-focused.
I’d love to help you bring your vision to life.
If you love reading this blog, you will also love:
the
Welcome Friends, I'm Ellen
I am a lifestyle and natural light photographer based in San Mateo County, serving families across the San Francisco Bay Area and Peninsula. I regularly photograph families in San Mateo, Burlingame, Palo Alto, Redwood City, and surrounding Peninsula communities.
I specialize in family, newborn, and maternity sessions that take place at home or outdoors, capturing genuine joy, connection, and beautifully candid moments.
Along with photography, I also offer cinematic highlight films to bring your family’s story to life in motion.
My sessions are fun, easy, and well guided. I use simple prompts and natural posing so you can relax, enjoy being together, and let me document the love and energy that make your family unique.
Photographer. Fitness lover. Wife. MOm. world traveler.
+ Show / Hide Comments
Share to: