Fall Family Photos on the South Shore

Trying to put together outfits for family photos is no small task! You want clothes that look and feel great…and that everybody will love. Fall family photo outfits are some of my favorite because of all the warm, cozy colors and textures. Choosing coordinating—not matchy matchy—fall outfits for your family can be a stress-free (and dare I say…fun!?) job this year.

Choosing a Color Palette

As a family photographer, a large part of my work is Cape Cod family beach portraits. I photograph large and extended families often, so I know that coordinating outfits for family photos can be a huge undertaking. When recommending outfit ideas to the families I work with, I often recommend soft, muted colors such as sage, pale blue, and dusty pink paired with plenty of soft neutrals, such as beige, cream, or taupe.

These clothing choices have become my go-to for many reasons. First, soft, muted colors photograph beautifully. They don’t reflect color casts onto your skin, leaving clean, bright skin tones. Second, this color palette works well in a variety of settings and can be adapted easily. I personally prefer complementary color palettes, so you’ll often find that I recommend pinks and mauves when I’m photographing at a park with lots of greenery. Similarly, monochromatic color palettes can look beautiful on the beach—which is one reason that blue, white, and tan have become classic colors for beach photography! Lastly, I recommend similar colors so that you know what to expect from your photos. You’ll notice my portfolio and visual brand showcases images with color palettes that work great with my editing style. Bright, bold colors may render a bit differently with my style than you think! (One caveat…if bright and bold is YOUR thing…I would never discourage it! I try to keep colors as true as I can!)

Soft Sage and Warm Neutrals

Think sage, oatmeal, ivory, camel, and medium denim.

Bring it all together with cozy textures, such as knits, denim, and soft cotton. Camel or cognac footwear ties together the neutral color palette and lightens up the bottom half of the image.

Many of these pieces can be found from Quince.

Dusty Rose and Cocoa

This soft fall palette brings in richness while still feeling light.

Choose one pattern (such a floral or plaid) to connect the colors and keep the other outfits mostly solid. Choose muted pinks, mauves, and rose colors rather than bright pink.

Girls plaid dress can be found at The Little Stocking Company.
Mom dress is from Pink Blush Maternity.

Olive, Camel, and Denim

Earthy, casual, and easy to pull from your own closet.

Bring it all together with layers and textures. Corduroy, a quilted or faux fur vest, or chunky cardigan can add interest without being too busy.

Dusty Blue and Warm Brown

This look is classic, understated, and a little unexpected for fall.

Keep the blues soft and muted, and repeat a warm neutral in several outfits.

Styling Tips for Family Photos

Start with one outfit that you love, then build around it. Most often, I recommend choosing mom’s outfit first, but choosing a child’s outfit with colors or patterns that you can coordinate around is a great idea, too. When choosing outfits, stick with two or three colors from the palette and repeat them throughout your family. Everyone should wear a different combination—the goal is to coordinate, not match!

A few practical reminders for curating your family’s portrait look:

• Comfort is KEY! Choose clothes that you can sit, walk, cuddle, and pick up your kiddos in.
• Add texture for interest. Chunky knits, corduroy, denim, fur, and velvet photograph beautifully and add interest without patterns.
• Keep patterns simple. One small floral or low-contrast plaid is a great starting point. Try to keep patterns at a medium scale, as super tiny patterns can look distorted in images.
• Check (and double check!) the weather. Your kids will let you know if they are hot or cold…be prepared! Everyone will be happier if they are comfortable.
• Choose the right shoes. I typically recommend lighter colors such as cognac, brown, white, cream. Simple boots, flats, or even simple sneakers work best.