What to Wear for Family Photos? Fall Edition

Planning to have a photoshoot with every family member can be hard. There are just a lot of factors to be considered and, frankly, a lot of preparation. Everything can be pretty challenging, from scheduling it on a day when everyone is available and choosing what to wear for family photos. It may sound too stressful, but it doesn’t have to be! Let me ease the burden for you! With my years of experience as a Calgary photographer, I’ve created a guide to help you decide which fall family photo outfits suit you.

The goal is to find a unique style for your family that feels special and comfortable at the same time. No idea how to pick the perfect attire with all the choices available? Don’t worry! Keep on reading for all the tips you can use, including my top recommended brands to choose from when picking out what to wear for family photos.

 

Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing Your Fall Family Photo Outfits

 

1. CHOOSE THE LOCATION

It is better that the outfits you’ll choose are appropriate to your desired location, or they won’t look natural. Consider what vibe you would like to create in your family photos and talk to your photographer about it. As a Calgary photographer, some of the most popular requests of families are to have a session in the park or a farmers field session. Choose your clothes based on the location you prefer.

2. LOOK AT THE INTERIOR OF YOUR HOME

Consider looking at your interiors if you decide to have a simple and casual shoot at home. The way you decorate your home shows a lot about your personality and style. Regardless of the shooting location, coordinating with your home décor would be best, as you will most likely display your photos on your wall. That way, you know the images will fit just right into the aesthetic.

3. START WITH MOM’S OUTFIT

It can be overwhelming to think about everyone’s outfit in one go. Try to sort one person at a time, and I suggest starting with the Mom’s outfit. It tends to be the hardest one to pick. By doing this, you can have a solid building block and work your way throughout. And let’s be honest, the moms are probably putting the outfits together anyway, they deserve to have first pick!

4. COORDINATE COLORS

When it comes to color palettes, choose 3-5 coordinating colors. It can be neutrals and one pop of color to bring life to everyone’s outfit. Remember that when deciding what to wear for family photos, color selection will create the overall look of your image – ties everything together beautifully. If you prefer your photos to have that soft glowing look, pick warm-colored clothes like cream, brown, and peach. On the other hand, you could wear clothes in more vivid hues too, just avoid opting for too many tones at once.

5. PICK MUTED COLOR

The tricky thing about shoots is that some colors don’t look good in photos no matter how lovely they are in real life. It is best to steer away from saturated and bold colors in general and try the muted versions of your preferred tone. Definitely stay away from neon color! For example, replace a bright hot pink dress with a dusty rose instead. When it comes to the spring family photo outfits, muted tones are definitely the winners.

6. COMPLEMENT, DON’T MATCH

Gone are the days of matching shirts and colors. There are always exceptions to the rules, of course, but in general I would stir away from matchy-matchy outfits.  Don’t put everyone in the same color and choose complementing ones instead. For instance, don’t put your daughters in the same pink dress. The other one can go with a cream or complimentary print. It’ll look better overall and show their individuality as well. The colors don’t need to be in the same family color palette. , they need to complement one another, creating a cohesive look.

7. COORDINATE PRINTS AND TEXTURES

One misconception about picking what to wear for family photos is that patterns are a big no. That is not necessarily always the case. As a matter of fact, I personally love prints! Patterns and textures, when done right, can make your picture more attractive. Subtle patterns and textures give variety and depth to each image. Just make sure not to use large bold prints that can be overpowering and draw all attention to them. The same rule goes for logos and text. Avoid them, they are a big no on my list. You want your family photos to be about you and timeless!

8. CONSIDER YOUR FITTING

Make sure that your clothing fits well, as any discomfort can look less flattering on camera. Find clothes that are neither too loose nor too skintight. Also, think about keeping a good balance. If you have a flowy skirt, use a fitted top. Trust me, it’s all about finding balance.

9. DRESS FOR THE WEATHER

For summer family photo outfits, keeping things light and airy is essential. You might have the perfect outfit, but it won’t be that appealing if you’re drenched in sweat. If everyone is uncomfortable, a family photo session can quickly unravel. So make sure to dress up in a way that all of you can withstand the weather.

 

 

10. STICK TO WHAT YOU WOULD WEAR

Family photos are meant to document certain phases of your life as a family. This is why you want every image to represent the real you. Just be yourself and wear something that you would wear. You don’t have to dress to impress. Choose an outfit that will express your personality instead. Stick to something that is part of your lifestyle and be you!

 

11. CLASSIC OVER TRENDY OUTFITS

There’s nothing wrong with wearing trendy outfits, but you might change your mind once you see those hanging photos 15 years later. Going for classic clothes will leave you with nothing to cringe about, as your outfits will still look fabulous and timeless, no matter what year it is.

 

12. INVOLVE YOUR KIDS

Kids can get cranky when they don’t like what they’re wearing, so make sure that they are involved when picking what they can wear. Of course, that doesn’t mean you’ll let them wear their Spiderman costume! Perhaps you can give them a few options to choose, so they’ll think they picked it!  Incorporating things that will make them happy to wear for your family shoot will result in a more enjoyable experience.

 

13. OPT FOR ONE OUTFIT ONLY

Besides being time-consuming, putting your kids in another outfit can put them in a grumpy mood. Please keep it simple and let everyone enjoy the entire photo session by sticking to one outfit only. But if your kids tend to be messy, bringing a backup outfit will diminish any stress about they ruining their outfits before the session even starts!!

 

14. DON’T MISS OUT ON SHOES 

When at home or at the beach, I love everyone barefooted! But other than that, your chosen shoes can make or break your entire look, so don’t forget to ensure that your footwear goes well with your outfit. Please, no athletic shoes! Never! 

It is always best to consider your location, too. After all, wearing your gorgeous stilettos while walking on the seashore won’t work. Besides, if any mom has time for stilettos – I would love to know your secret!

 

15. TRY YOUR OUTFITS WEEKS BEFORE

Skipping on trying on your clothes before the shoot can lead to some unprecedented problems like a wardrobe malfunction, an uncomfortable fit, or it might not fit at all. Try on your clothes and check whether everything is okay from every angle. Also, ask your kids to wear theirs to see if they can freely move while wearing them. It’s better to see whether everything fits in advance so that you can find a solution in a timely manner.

 

TOP RECOMMENDED BRANDS FOR FALL FAMILY PHOTO OUTFITS – What to wear for family photos