How to Dress for Fall Family Portraits
Everyone LOVES Fall…Pumpkin Spice, cooler temperatures, Fall colors…not to mention CHRISTMAS IS COMING! Fall is one of my busiest times of year as a photographer, and family portraits are a huge part of this season for me. Last month, I published a blog entitled “What to Wear for Senior Portraits.” I got so much positive feedback from that post that I decided to create one for Fall Family Portrait sessions! Read the tips below to help you plan your family’s outfits for your portrait session, and then take a look at some of my favorite Fall Family portrait sessions and the outfits these awesome families picked!
First…think about the purpose for these photos! If they will be used as canvases in your home, make sure your clothing choices don’t clash with your home decor! Will they be used as Christmas cards? You may want to choose more layers and colors/patterns that will go with your favorite card style.
As for color choices, think about the colors at the setting where you will be having your photos made. If there is a lot of red, orange, and yellow, don’t wear too much of the same colors…aim for something darker that will focus the attention of the photo on your family. Navy blue, dark green, purple, burgundy, brown, and even black can help the people stand out in a colorful Fall setting! Or go with the complete opposite and wear something light-colored, like a yellow or cream! Using coordinating accents in reds, yellows, and oranges can add a nice pop of color.
Some fun Fall staples to consider: jeans, boots, flannel shirts, scarves, sweaters, jackets, and layers!
Avoid being too matchy-matchy. Coordinating colors and prints, as long as they aren’t too busy and don’t clash, are your best bet for a well-dressed Fall Family portrait!
Think about the different poses you may be asked to try out. You might be standing, sitting, kneeling, facing the camera, turned around so that the camera can see your back… Are your clothes too short? Too low cut? Too tight?
Shoes matter! Think about the location. Will you need to walk a lot through forests or grassy areas? If so, bring comfortable shoes, or better yet, an extra pair so that you don’t get your good shoes dirty!
Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize! Bring long necklaces, fun earrings, hats, scarves, and blankets!
Avoid branding or words on your clothing (it can be distracting and get cut off depending on poses).
Does anyone in your family wear glasses? Try popping out the lenses beforehand, if possible. Transition lenses in any outdoor lighting can make you look like you’re wearing sunglasses, and regular glass often produce a glare.
And one last tip: if everyone in the family can’t try on their outfits at the same time, at least lay them out to make sure they look good together!
