If you’re wondering what to wear for fall family photos, you’re definitely not alone. It’s one of the questions I get asked most before a fall session. Hi, I’m Linda, a nationally published and award-winning Connecticut family photographer based in Old Saybrook. I photograph families throughout the Connecticut shoreline, including Madison, Guilford, Old Saybrook, Old Lyme, Essex, and surrounding towns, and I’m always happy to help my clients choose outfits that photograph beautifully with Connecticut’s fall colors.

Fall is one of my favorite times of year for family photos in Connecticut. The warm colors, tall grasses, changing leaves, and soft golden light make a beautiful backdrop. What you wear can make a big difference in how everything comes together.

The good news is that choosing outfits for your whole family doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are my best tips for creating a coordinated look that photographs beautifully and still feels like your family.

What to Wear for Fall Family Photos: Start With Mom

I almost always recommend starting with Mom’s outfit and building everyone else around her.

Choose something you feel really good in first. That might be a long dress, a skirt and sweater, jeans with a pretty blouse, or something more casual. Once you know what Mom is wearing, it becomes much easier to choose colors for everyone else.

Long dresses and skirts are especially beautiful for fall family photos. They add movement and texture to your images. Of course, you absolutely do not have to wear a dress. The most important thing is choosing something that feels like you and that you’re comfortable wearing.

Choose a Fall Color Palette, But Don’t Match

The goal is to coordinate, not match. Instead of putting everyone in the same colors, choose a palette of three or four colors. Mix those colors throughout everyone’s outfits.

Some of my favorite colors for fall family photos are:

• Cream and ivory
• Camel and warm tan
• Olive and sage green
• Rust and terracotta
• Burgundy and deep wine
• Navy
• Soft brown
• Dusty blue
• Muted rose

Neutrals are always a great place to start. From there, bring in one or two richer fall colors.

For example, Mom might wear a cream dress. Dad could wear navy with khaki or camel. One child could wear olive, while another wears a subtle pattern that ties several of those colors together. Everyone looks connected without looking overly matched.

Need a little visual inspiration? Take a look at these fall family photo color scheme ideas on Pinterest.

Think About the Fall Colors Around You

Connecticut can be incredibly colorful in October. Bright orange, yellow, and red foliage may already be a big part of the background.

Your clothing should complement those colors rather than compete with them.

During peak foliage, you don’t necessarily need to dress the entire family in rust, mustard, and orange. Softer neutrals can look beautiful against colorful leaves. Navy, cream, olive, camel, and muted blue are some of my favorites.

Earlier in the season, there is usually more green in the landscape. Warm earth tones work beautifully during this time. By November, the scenery becomes softer and more neutral. Rich colors like burgundy, camel, olive, and navy photograph especially well.

Add Layers, Texture, and a Little Pattern

Fall is the perfect season for layers and texture. Sweaters, cardigans, denim, corduroy, suede, and chunky knits all add interest without making outfits feel busy. Patterns can work beautifully too, but I recommend keeping them subtle.

Try choosing one person to wear a floral, plaid, or simple print, then pull colors from that piece for the rest of the family. Avoid having several people in competing patterns, as well as large logos, graphics, and very busy prints.

What Should Dad Wear?

Dad does not need to be complicated! A sweater or henley with chinos or nice jeans works beautifully for a relaxed fall session. A button-down layered under a sweater is another easy option. Navy, olive, camel, gray, cream, and deeper earth tones are all easy colors to coordinate.

I generally avoid a bright white dress shirt when everyone else is wearing warm, muted colors. Bright white can become the first thing your eye notices in the photograph. Cream or a softer neutral usually blends much better with a fall palette.

What Should the Kids Wear?

Comfort matters with kids. I want them running, playing, snuggling with you, and being themselves. Avoid anything overly stiff, itchy, or uncomfortable.

For girls, dresses, skirts, sweaters, boots, and textured tights can photograph beautifully in fall.

For boys, sweaters, henleys, button-downs, chinos, corduroys, and nice jeans are all great options.

Siblings don’t need to match. In fact, I usually prefer when they don’t. Their outfits can coordinate through color while still letting each child look like themselves.

Don’t Forget the Shoes

Shoes matter more than people think because they will show in your photos.

Boots are perfect for fall. Neutral sneakers can also work well for a more casual family. Ankle boots, tall boots, or simple flats are all great options for women.

Try to avoid athletic sneakers with bright colors or large logos. Keep the location in mind when choosing heels too. Many of my favorite fall locations have fields, trails, and uneven ground.

Easy Fall Family Color Combinations

If you’re staring into everyone’s closets wondering where to start, try one of these combinations:

• Cream + Camel + Olive + Navy: Warm, classic, and beautiful against colorful foliage.
• Cream + Burgundy + Navy + Denim: Rich without feeling overly fall themed.
• Ivory + Rust + Olive + Tan: Warm and earthy, especially when there is still plenty of green.
• Cream + Dusty Blue + Camel + Brown: Soft and neutral with just enough color.
• Burgundy + Cream + Camel + Olive: A beautiful combination for later October and November.

You don’t need every person wearing every color. Think of these combinations as palettes you can pull from.

Fall Family Photos Along the Connecticut Shoreline

Fall is one of my favorite seasons for family photos in Connecticut. I photograph families throughout the shoreline at locations chosen for beautiful light, open space, and seasonal color.

If you’re looking for a Connecticut family photographer for updated family photos this fall, I’d love to photograph your family.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best colors to wear for fall family photos?

When deciding what to wear for fall family photos, I recommend starting with warm neutrals and adding a few richer colors. Cream, camel, olive, burgundy, navy, rust, and soft brown all photograph beautifully with Connecticut’s fall scenery. Choose three or four coordinating colors rather than having everyone match.

What should we avoid wearing for fall family photos?

I recommend avoiding neon or very bright colors, large logos, graphics, and too many competing patterns. Bright white, especially shirts, can also pull attention away from faces, so cream, ivory, and softer neutrals are usually a better choice. And rather than having everyone match, choose colors and textures that coordinate naturally.

What if I still don’t know what to wear?

If you’re still unsure what to wear for fall family photos, send me photos of the outfits you’re considering. I’m always happy to help my clients coordinate colors and narrow down their choices before their session.

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