Family
Fall Family Photo Ideas: Tips for Outfits and Photos
For many of us, fall is a favorite season. The crisp air, amazing colors, and chunky knits — what’s not to love? Fall is also the perfect time of year for family photo shoots. Temperatures are usually cooler but not too cold, and a warm autumn color palette always makes for the perfect backdrop for an outdoor family photoshoot. Add in the most beautiful natural light during “golden hour” and it really is the perfect time of year for family photo sessions. I always underestimate how overwhelming coordinating fall family photoshoot outfits can be. But then there’s the scheduling and getting young children to cooperate, and it can quickly end up feeling stressful and exhausting. Here are some ides for your next fall family photo session.
Fall Family Photo Ideas: Tips for Outfits and Photos
The fall season is a great time to start thinking about family portraits. Whether you just enjoy taking photos every year, or want them for a holiday card, this is the best time to do it. If you’re thinking about planning a fall family photo shoot, I recommend booking a photographer months out, or scheduling a fall mini session, since they’re easier to schedule, and a lot more affordable, too.
It’s a magical time of year at our house. The hydrangea are still blooming, and the bright colors of the leaves make for a perfect backdrop. The most important step is choosing a great portrait photographer. You’ll want to consider location, outfits, and time of day, too, but the right photographer makes all the difference. Choose a beautiful or special place that you love, whether it’s your yard, a local park or gardens, or your living room. I love shooting at home since it’s a natural setting for us, and we can always go inside when there’s cooler weather. And don’t forget about your pets – they’re part of the family, too!
Here are my top tips for fall family photos.
Family Photo Outfit Ideas
Choose a Professional Photographer
Family photographers will know how to engage the whole family, so look for someone with a portfolio you love, who has a lot of experience with younger children. If they can take great photos of little ones, you know you’re in good hands. My friend Katie Kett has photographed the most beautiful memories for our family. She’s captured every big milestone in our lives, from our wedding, to newborn photos, and all of our family portrait sessions.
I always end the shoot completely exhausted and feeling like the kids were too wild and didn’t cooperate at all. And every year, our photographer sends us the most gorgeous photos. I cannot stress how important it is to choose someone great, and reach out early. Our photographer starts scheduling in June, but others will still have openings through August or September. If you’re late with scheduling, a mini session might be easier to schedule.
A good photographer will capture candid moments and beautiful family photos that you’ll treasure forever. Katie is great with young kids, and always comes up with fun and creative ways to make the entire family happy and comfortable. Many photographers offer mini sessions which can feel easier with little kids, and you’ll save a little money too. I personally like having enough time to get a lot of photos, and great individual ones of each of the kids, too.
Choose a Time and Location
Fall light is beautiful, and it’s a great time of year for an outdoor photoshoot. The golden hour, which is the hour right after sunrise or the hour or two just before sunset is the best time to shoot. You’ll get the best light during those hours, but want to consider the best time for younger family members, too. Attempting to get everyone ready an hour after sunrise sounds too stressful for me. I prefer afternoon since it’s a great time of day for small children who might have a midday nap, and I have the day to prepare.
Weather doesn’t always cooperate, so have a few different locations in mind. I like to plan something outside with the hope that we’ll have nice weather, and an indoor location as a backup.
Coordinate Outfits Without Matching
As someone who loves fashion, choosing outfits for fall family pictures is always the hardest part for me. I’m not sure why, but I always overthink and feel stuck, and then end up rush ordering outfits last-minute. It always works out in the end, but I’m determined to get ahead this year. I prefer when outfits coordinate but don’t match. It’s a good idea to stick with a color palette, like blues and greens, or deeper, fall tones. I tend to stay away from bright colors, but did choose a bright (ish) blue dress for my little girl this year. Consider creating a Pinterest board to keep your ideas organized.
Family Photo Outfit Ideas
Choose a Color Scheme: A warm, autumn-inspired palette is perfect for fall. You could also put everyone in neutral colors, or do what I did and put everyone in various shades of blue. Pick three to four colors or shades and mix them into each family member’s outfit.
Layers and Textures: Layers add depth and variety to photos. Think cozy sweaters, jackets, knits, and corduroy. We were given an unseasonably warm day, so we skipped layers but did mix knits and corduroy pants and dresses, and I love how our outfits looked together. Textures like wool and denim are great, too.
Avoid Loud Patterns: Stick to subtle patterns or keep patterns minimal. I like to bring in a print or two, but keep everyone else in solid colors. Patterns can be really distracting, and I recommend avoiding stripes altogether since they don’t always photograph well.
Don’t Forget Comfort: If kids (or adults) are uncomfortable, it will show in the photos. Make sure everyone’s dressed warmly enough for the weather and can move comfortably. My kids ended up changing into their crocs and helmets toward the end, and our photographer got some great photos of them playing.
Family Photoshoot Ideas: Props and Activities
I’m not going to ask you to go to a pumpkin patch or apple orchard. But a prop or two can make things fun, and you can do that without being cheesy. Never underestimate the power (and fun) of throwing colorful leaves over your kids’ heads. I love a mix of staged and fun family photos. Laughing, playing, or doing an activity together is the perfect way to capture your family. So whether you’re booking a fall family session or cozy, winter newborn photos with the whole family, there are lots of ways to get amazing pictures that feel like you.
Katie usually calls me to discuss our autumn family photoshoot. We talk through what we want the photos to feel like. She also suggests an activity or game for the kids to keep things fun. Last year, we blew bubbles, played in the leaves, and ended with a pizza picnic.
Blankets: A cozy blanket can serve as both a prop and a place to sit on. The whole family can sit together and play a game or have a picnic.
Bring a Favorite Activity: We pulled out some bubbles and they were honestly perfect. Our photographer got the best and most magical photos of the kids blowing (and popping) bubbles.
Day in the Life: Try capturing some of your favorite moments throughout the day. From bath time to reading books, or fun and playful parts of your daily routine, it’s always so fun and special to have these moments captured.
Have a Picnic: We planned a pizza picnic for the end of the shoot, and it was kind of a mess since the pizza was 30 minutes late, but it made for a few sweet photos and an easy dinner.
I love getting family photos each year. I always immediately print and frame them in our family room and bedroom. And each year, these photos always make their way into our annual family album. A photographer is an expense, but is, in my opinion, worth the splurge. These are photos and memories I’ll treasure forever.
