You've scheduled your fall family photoshoot, now what to wear?
One of the questions I hear most often before a family session is: “What should we wear?”
When you're planning fall family photos in Charlottesville, VA, my biggest advice is simple: coordinate, don't match.
You want your family's outfits to feel connected without everyone looking like they're wearing the same uniform. Soft colors, subtle patterns, and a mix of textures create photographs that feel natural, timeless, and true to your family.
Here are a few of my favorite tips for choosing what to wear for your fall family photos.
Choose One or Two Colors
Start with one or two colors you love, then build everyone's outfits around them.
Some of my favorite fall combinations are:
Dusty blue + cream
Rust + oatmeal
Sage + tan
Terracotta + ivory
Soft brown + denim
Dusty rose + warm neutrals
The colors don't need to match exactly. Different shades of the same color actually add more depth and interest to your images.
Add Soft Plaids and Prints
Fall is the perfect time for a little pattern.
I love soft plaids, subtle florals, small-scale prints, and simple stripes. They add personality and visual interest without taking over the photograph.
If one person wears a pattern, let the rest of the family wear quieter solids or textures. You don't want everyone's outfit competing for attention.
Think: one beautiful plaid shirt paired with soft sweaters, denim, and neutrals.
Don't Be Afraid of Neutrals
Cream, oatmeal, camel, taupe, tan, warm gray, and soft brown are beautiful choices for fall family photography.
And they don't have to be identical. A combination of warm neutrals creates a layered, sophisticated look that works beautifully with Charlottesville's autumn landscape.
Cream + camel + oatmeal + soft brown will always be a favorite of mine.
A Note About Navy
Navy is classic and absolutely works for family photos—but use it thoughtfully.
When choosing blue, I often recommend going a little lighter than navy. Think dusty blue, slate blue, soft denim, chambray, or blue-gray.
Why? Navy can photograph very dark outdoors, especially in shade. When it becomes nearly black in a photograph, you lose some of the texture and dimension of the fabric.
A softer blue tends to photograph with more depth and works beautifully with fall's warm colors.
If You Love Navy, Keep This in Mind
If navy is your family's color, you don't have to abandon it!
Just be careful about pairing one very dark navy outfit with several very light outfits.
For example, Dad in a dark navy sweater while Mom and the kids are all wearing bright cream or white creates a lot of contrast. Your eye naturally follows the lighter colors, which attract highlights, while the navy tends to attract shadow.
Instead, try balancing the navy with medium tones such as dusty blue, denim, camel, tan, warm gray, or soft brown.
Navy + medium-wash denim + camel + cream is a much softer combination than navy + bright white.
Think About Texture
Texture is one of the easiest ways to make coordinated outfits look beautiful.
For fall, think:
- Chunky or fine-knit sweaters
- Corduroy
- Denim
- Linen
- Wool
- Quilted jackets
- Knit dresses
- Suede or leather boots
You don't need lots of accessories or complicated outfits. A few different textures can give your photographs plenty of visual interest.
Keep Comfort in Mind
The best family photos happen when everyone can move, play, snuggle, and be themselves.
Choose clothes your children can comfortably run and play in. Choose shoes you can walk in. And don't put your toddler in something they absolutely hate just because it looks cute on Pinterest!
Your photographs should look like your family, just on a really beautiful fall day.
My Simple Outfit Formula
If you're feeling overwhelmed, try this:
One soft color + one neutral + one subtle pattern + lots of texture.
For example:
- Mom: dusty blue dress
- Dad: camel sweater + medium-wash jeans
- Child: cream sweater + rust pants
- Child: soft blue and cream plaid + denim
Nothing matches perfectly, but everything belongs together.
And that's exactly what we're going for.
Still Not Sure What to Wear?
Send me your outfit ideas! I'm always happy to help you pull the pieces together before your Charlottesville family photography session.
Your outfits don't have to be perfect. They just need to feel like you.
I'll take care of the rest.
