Simple tips to help your family look coordinated, comfortable, and completely yourselves
Fall family sessions are some of my favorites. There’s something about the softer light, beautiful colors, and cozy feeling of the season that makes family photographs feel extra special.
But before your session, there’s always that question:
“What are we all going to wear?”
Don’t worry—I’ve got you! You absolutely do not need to dress everyone in matching outfits. In fact, I prefer when you don’t. The goal is to coordinate your outfits so they feel connected, while still allowing everyone’s personality to shine.
And because our session is only 20 minutes, a little preparation goes a long way!
1. Start with a color palette, not matching outfits
One of my favorite approaches for fall is a palette of soft, pastel colors paired with one or two bolder accents.
Think:
- Cream + blush + dusty blue + burgundy
- Beige + sage + soft pink + rust
- Ivory + light denim + lavender + deep plum
- Camel + cream + muted peach + forest green
The key is to choose colors that complement one another rather than putting everyone in the exact same color.
For example, Mom might wear a soft blush dress, Dad could wear a cream shirt with khaki pants, and the kids could incorporate denim, sage, or a beautiful rust-colored sweater.
Everything works together without looking like a uniform.
2. Choose 2–4 main colors
A good rule of thumb is to pick two or three softer base colors and one bolder accent color.
Your accent could come from a sweater, dress, shoes, hair bow, cardigan, or even a small accessory.
Fall is a beautiful time to introduce richer colors such as:
Rust • Burgundy • Terracotta • Mustard • Forest Green • Plum • Navy
You don't need a lot of these colors. A little goes a long way!
3. Think about texture
Fall clothing gives us so many opportunities to add texture to photographs.
Knits, sweaters, linen, corduroy, denim, suede, and soft layers photograph beautifully and add visual interest without being distracting.
Instead of everyone wearing a plain shirt, try mixing textures:
knit sweater + denim + corduroy + flowy dress + leather boots
The result feels cozy, natural, and timeless.
4. Let everyone's personality show
Your family doesn't have to look like it came straight out of a catalog.
If your daughter loves dresses, let her wear one. If your son refuses anything except jeans and sneakers, that's okay! If Dad isn't a sweater person, don't put him in one just because it's fall.
The best photographs happen when everyone feels comfortable enough to move, laugh, play, and be themselves.
My job is to capture your family—not a perfectly styled version of someone else's.
5. Don't forget the little ones!
This is especially important for a 20-minute session.
Bring a small snack for your little ones. Something quick, familiar, and not too messy can be a lifesaver.
Think crackers, fruit snacks, or another favorite little treat.
And please don't worry if your toddler doesn't cooperate perfectly. They don't need to sit still and smile at the camera for 20 minutes. We'll play, move, cuddle, and let their personalities come through.
Sometimes the photographs you weren't expecting end up being your favorites.
6. Comfort matters more than you think
Make sure everyone can comfortably walk, sit, run, or be picked up in their outfit.
This is particularly important with shoes.
Beautiful shoes are wonderful—but if they're uncomfortable, we'll know!
For little ones, avoid anything that constantly needs adjusting. You want to spend our 20 minutes interacting with your family, not pulling down dresses or fixing collars.
7. Consider planning something fun afterward
Here's one of my favorite tips:
Don't make the photography session the only event of the day.
Plan something your family can look forward to afterward.
Maybe go out for a family dinner, get ice cream, stop for hot chocolate, or do something you all enjoy.
It changes the entire feeling of the day.
Instead of:
"We have to go take pictures."
It becomes:
"We're going out together, taking some beautiful pictures, and then we're going to dinner!"
And trust me, that relaxed energy makes its way into your photographs.
8. Keep the big picture in mind
When you're choosing outfits, imagine the photographs hanging in your home.
Will these colors still feel beautiful five or ten years from now?
I love clothing that feels classic, and timeless, rather than something that is heavily tied to a particular trend.
Your family is the focus. Your clothing should complement the photograph—not become the photograph.
My favorite fall formula
If you're completely overwhelmed, here's an easy formula:
Mom: A beautiful dress or skirt in a soft neutral or pastel
Dad: Neutral pants + simple shirt or sweater
Girls: Dress, skirt, or layered outfit incorporating one of the palette colors
Boys: Jeans or chinos + sweater/shirt
Everyone: One shared accent color or complementary tones
Add a little texture, a beautiful fall accent color, and plenty of personality.
And you're done!
Most importantly...
Don't stress about getting everything perfect.
Your family doesn't have to look perfect. Your children don't have to behave perfectly. And you definitely don't need to know what to do in front of the camera.
That's what I'm here for.
Bring your people, wear something that makes you feel good, and let's spend 20 minutes capturing the little moments, big laughs, cuddles, and connection that make your family yours.