What to wear for Instagrammable Fall Family Photos

Fall, or Autumn, is a wonderful time to spend outdoors. This is the time when the warmth of the previous summer still lurks, and the cool breeze of the next summer lets you know it's not too far. Nature has also changed its color to a picturesque warmer tone of earthy brown, yellows, and orange.

If you are planning to visit San Francisco, autumn is one of the best times to visit the city with your family. There are tons of things to do in San Francisco with kids around this time. So while you might have to carry scarves and light sweaters, you can enjoy bright sunny days too.

Often, people choose the fall season to get their family portraits clicked. The soft light, the earthy warmth, and the lovely colors of the leaves make a beautiful backdrop for the picture. If you, too, are planning to get your family photographs done by a professional photographer in the Fall season, you might wonder what you and your family members should wear for the photoshoot.

This Fall Style Guide is specially curated for you to make sure you and your family look their best in their Fall Family Photographs.

How to Choose Outfits For Fall Family Photo Shoots?Investing in a Fall Family Photoshoot makes it natural to get concerned about your outfits. Style experts suggest choosing outfits that would complement the season. Here are a few basic principles you should keep in mind when you open the cupboard to select your outfits.

• Dress for your environment.

• Keep the weather in mind.

• Build your outfit around the same color palette.

• Choose clothes with different layers and textures.

• Avoid clothes that have bold pictures or slogans on them.

• Wear well-fitting clothes.

Color Palette for Charming Autumn Family Portraits:

Springs and summers are colorful and bright seasons. Thus, photographers recommend wearing neutral shades during this time. On the other hand, the Fall season can be very welcoming to a wide range of color palettes.

Style experts recommend choosing at least 3-4 complementary colors to base your family’s outfits on. Of course, this does not mean all family members would wear the same color clothing. Instead, we must aim to complement each other’s apparel.

A soft palette with pastel shades can work wonderfully for your fall photoshoot. You can choose from creams, dusty pinks, powder blue, rust, and even soft brown colors for your outfits. If you prefer deeper colors, you can opt for Prussian blue, mustard yellow, and cherry red.

What Colors Should You Avoid?

Now that we have an idea about the colors we should look for, we need to understand what colors we need to avoid. Black is a big no-no around this time of year. Also, bright, neon-colored outfits clash with the soft autumn backdrop and make you look washed out in the photographs.

If you are planning on shopping for new outfits for the shoot, sorting the perfect complementary colors for your family can be one of the fun things to do in San Francisco with kids.

A Few More Tips:

1. Plan Ahead

Once you have booked your photoshoot session, start planning the shooting location, outfits, and accessories you want to use. You surely don’t want your kids to seem shabby in the photographs. So pick the clothes that fit your kids the best. Keep them aside to prevent them from getting soiled. If needed, get your outfits dry cleaned well before the planned shoot day. Also, set your accessories and jewelry aside that you are going to wear for the photoshoot.

Though most of us try to prepare our outfits beforehand, we often forget about footwear. Deciding on your shoes in advance will help you avoid confusion on the photoshoot day. You can even book an appointment in the Spas in San Francisco a day before to prepare for the photoshoot.

2. Choose Your Outfits According to The Location

Keep the location in mind when you choose outfits for your family. If you have selected a park or wood for the photo shoot, avoid wearing too many orange and brown outfits, as they will camouflage with the leaves and trees.

If you are having a beach photoshoot, try wearing darker outfits that will appear more prominent against the backdrop of sand and water. Cooler shades of blue, green, beige and a little pop of coral will transform the look of the final image.

You can get your photos clicked in a pumpkin patch. The orange pumpkins will give a vibrant backdrop to your portraits. Denim jeans or jackets will look awesome against the background. A combination of chunky knits, a little pop of color, and denim blue will make the most wall-worthy portraits.

3. Be Prepared for Any Temperature

Autumn can be a tricky time to dress. The bright sun outside might urge you to wear something light, whereas the chilly winds might make you wear a sweater or a scarf. So, when your family is getting ready for the photo shoot, make sure you stay prepared for both.

Curate a set of outfits for your family members that can be complemented with a light coat or a sweater so that you can just put them on when the temperature drops. When the weather is warm enough, you can remove your coats and get a sharper and cleaner look.

4. Coordinate, Don’t Match

Your family portraits will hopefully grace the walls of your living room for years to come. Wearing outfits of the same color palette will give the photograph a more balanced look. However, wearing outfits of the same color can spoil the vibe of the final image. The key is to coordinate your family’s outfits so that you complement each other in the portrait.

5. Say No To Characters

Your kids may love their Captain America shirt but keep it away for the family photoshoot. Large, bold characters on the outfits can seem distracting. Instead, try solid-colored shirts, plaids, or light motifs.

8. Keep your Home Decor in Mind

If you plan to hang your family photographs in your living room, keeping your home decor in mind when picking outfits is crucial. The color scheme of your house can either make the photos eye-catching or wash them out.

You can try wearing contrasting colors for the family portrait if you have dark-colored walls. Or, if you have light-colored walls, you can wear denim and dark-colored coats and scarves. It will help the family photographs look lively and prominent.

9. Be Comfortable

We know you want everyone to look their best in the family photograph. You will look your best if you are comfortable with what you are wearing. If you love wearing dresses, don’t try to squeeze into a pair of jeans.

Also, choose your kid’s outfit according to their comfort. If you are kids are comfortable in jeans or skirts, let them wear those. Forcing them to wear something they do not like will make them uncomfortable, and the discomfort will be evident in the photos.

If you have a little baby, make sure you put them in something snug and cozy. Putting them in prickly clothing can make them fussy. And, you surely do not want that on the photoshoot day.

10. Do Not Forget to Add Accessories

Accessories can not only help add a different edge to your outfit but they can also be used as little props in the portraits. Your family photo is not just about smiling faces; it is also about projecting who you are as a family.

For example, adding a stylish hat or necklace for your baby to play with can give your family portrait a natural, heartwarming look. Vibrant scarves and mufflers can also add a fun dimension to the images. The possibilities are endless.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How should I dress for Fall portraits?

Your fall photographs will have a lot of green, orange, red, and yellow colors in the background, ideally. You would have to curate an outfit that will complement the Fall foliage.

Typically, pure white and black do not go well with the vibrant background. Instead, you can try warmer shades like rust, denim blue, and brown. If you still want to wear black, you can layer it with vibrant-colored coats, cardigans, and scarves.

2. How many outfits do I need for a photoshoot?

Usually, a Fall Family/couple photography session lasts for about 30-60 minutes. We recommend setting aside at least 2-3 outfits that coordinate with different backgrounds. An assortment of outfits will ensure a lot of variety in your family portraits.

3. What should I pack for the photoshoot?

Here are a few things you should consider packing for the photoshoot.

1. A change of clothes

Getting all your photos clicked in the same outfit will make your family album look monotonous. A change of clothes will refresh the frame and add charm to your family album. Make sure the clothes are comfortable.

It is natural for most people to feel a little self-conscious in front of the camera. A set of comfortable clothes can go a long way in bringing out a natural expression in the portraits. Avoid too much detailing in your outfits to ensure your faces are at the center of attraction.

2. Hairbrush or comb

The breeze can mess with your hair if you are shooting in the park or on a hiking trail. Thus, it is wise to bring a hairbrush and clips to fix your hair before taking a photograph. It will make you look clean and sharp.

3. Makeup

Light makeup can help you look refreshed in portraits. We recommend carrying a compact powder and lip gloss to touch up your face before the shoot. The powder will help get rid of the oily shine of the face and give you a matte look. A swipe of lipgloss will liven up your face.

4. Little refreshments

Family photoshoots can be time-taking. We recommend you carry a bottle of water and a few light edibles.

Final Thoughts!

Autumn can be a wonderful time to get your family photographs clicked. The Fall foliage will give you a lively backdrop for the portraits. However, the outfits you wear for the picture are also as important as the backdrop. We hope this style guide has helped you understand what to wear for your Fall family portraits.

I am a San Francisco photographer who specializes in Family Lifestyle Portraiture. Making timeless and Authentic portraiture is always my goal in capturing your family’s milestone. Let’’s chat and start making beautiful print-worthy images . Please Click the link to learn more