Family Photo Outfit Ideas for Fall | Scottsdale Family Photographer

Being a Scottsdale Family Photographer, I know one of the main stressors of doing family photos is considering what to wear. What to wear for your family photos is always such a stressor! The kids have most likely outgrown the clothes in their closets. Your husband wants to wear the same shirt he has worn in every family photo. And, you want to look a bit more upbeat than usual. To make life a bit easier, I’d love to share a few tips on how to make your family look and feel good!

Part of the services I offer as a Scottsdale Family Photographer is providing wardrobe & styling advice for the entire family. I have a Client Closet full of a wide range of sizes and styles to fit the entire family, with the exception of men’s pants. You can learn more about what is fully included in my photography service by checking out this journal entry: The JSP Experience. I offer this service because I know how exhausting it can be to make several trips to the store, order online, try everything on, plus return what you don’t need. In order to help you with Fall Mini Sessions, where these services may not be easily provided, I’ve compiled some of my best tips for family photo outfit ideas!

 

Tips for putting together fall family photo outfits

start with mom

Oftentimes, mom’s outfit is the hardest in figuring out what to wear. I suggest starting here! Once you’ve figured out what YOU want to wear, it’s easier to build the rest of the family’s outfits around it.

 

coordinate, don’t match

While the idea may come off as “cute & fun,” the last thing you want is everyone wearing the same outfit, style, or color. It actually takes away from the sentiment of getting family photos by being distracting. Instead, you want to form a collective style by starting with a color palette. Each family member’s outfit should build off of the entire group for a cohesive look.

 

neutrals, earth tones & muted colors

Wearing neutrals, Earth tones, soft pastels, and colors that are muted give a soft romantic vibe. They also provide a timeless, sophisticated look making your photos elegant and luxurious. Think cream, ivory, dusty pinks & purples, sage green, medium blues, and rust orange. They mesh well together and allow the eye to softly gaze across the subjects. Limit only two family members wearing the same color.

Avoid bright neon and large blocks of dark-colored solids(ie navy, black, forest green). 

 

mix in texture & pattern

The right amount of texture and patterns add personality and depth to your outfits. But, this should be done minimally. I suggest having ONE person in a small patterned outfit that has accentuating colors of the main color palette throughout. Large prints are a no-no as they draw the eye in and take away from the subject.

Avoid noticeable logos, graphics, bold prints, and busy patterns. Subtlety is key.

 

consider material

Family photo sessions typically involve a lot of movement, especially if you have young children. Flowy dresses and breathable materials will allow room for comfort. I suggest clothing materials such as linen, organic cotton, cashmere, and merino wool for elegance and comfort.

Avoid rayon, polyester, denim, fleece, and leather.

 

Accessorize to add character

Accessories are the small details that add a bit of character, but, don’t overdo it! Dainty jewelry like a tennis bracelet can add the perfect touch. A stylish watch and belt are great.

 

Avoid sports watches(apple watch, etc), sunglasses, transition lenses, and large jewelry pieces.

 

Personal Styling Details

• Professional Hair & Makeup: Save yourself time & stress! You want to look good and feel good in front of the camera. Professional makeup shows up better on camera. If you’re unsure of what to ask for, I always recommend a “soft glam” look. Schedule coloring and cuts 2 weeks prior to your session to allow time for it to settle.
• Schedule a Manicure & Pedicure: Indulge yourself for the full experience! There will be closeup photos of your hands and you want them to look polished and clean. Avoid having chipped nail polish! No, your photographer does NOT want to photoshop your nails in every image 😉
• Haircuts & Shaving for Men: Schedule an appointment at least 5 days before the session and no more than 2 weeks. Allow time for the cut to settle so that it looks more natural. Trimming beards and mustaches should be done on an individual basis. Hair regrowth varies person-to-person.
• Remember to iron & steam: You want your clothing free of wrinkles. Travel with clothing in a wardrobe bag until you get to your photoshoot location. This is also a great tip for littles who need snacks for the car ride and you don’t want their clothes to get messy!

 

Style boards for Fall family Photo Outfit Inspiration

Ready to schedule your Scottsdale Family Photographer?

Get in touch with me today by visiting my website. Where we can connect and start dreaming up the perfect wardrobe selections for your entire family! You’ll be able to enjoy being present and having fun for your Fall family photo session.

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P.S. Fellow Motherhood Photographer, Becky Furry, just released her adorable Santa Sessions. You can check out her setup by visiting her blog Santa in South Bend.