“What should we wear?”
It’s one of the questions I hear most often before a family session. And as a mom, I understand why. Getting everyone dressed on a regular morning is enough work. Choosing outfits for photographs can feel like a whole project.
You want everyone to look nice together, but you also want your children to be comfortable. You’d probably like to feel good in your own outfit, too.
The good news? You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
When you book a session with Andrea Powell Photography, you have styling support along the way, including complimentary access to my Styled by WI styling catalog. But if you’re looking for somewhere to start, here’s how I recommend putting together outfits for your fall family photos.
Start With Your Outfit, Mama
Before you start shopping for the kids, choose something for yourself.
It’s easy to find adorable children’s outfits, build everything around them, and then realize you have nothing you feel good wearing. Let’s make your outfit the starting point.
Choose something that fits comfortably right now and lets you move, sit, and hold your children. A dress with a little movement, a soft sweater with comfortable pants, or a skirt and simple top can all work beautifully.
You don’t have to wear a dress if you don’t feel like yourself in one.
Once you’ve chosen your outfit, we can pull a few colors from it to guide everyone else’s clothing. That gives you a starting point without needing to buy an entirely new wardrobe.
Coordinate Colors Instead of Matching Everyone
Your family doesn’t need to wear the same color or identical outfits.
Instead, choose a small group of colors that work together and spread them throughout the family. One person might wear cream, another soft brown, and another muted olive. A subtle pattern can help bring those colors together.
With my soft, natural editing style, I tend to recommend warm neutrals, earthy tones, and muted colors. They keep the photographs feeling gentle and let your faces and connection draw the attention.
Here are three combinations I love for fall.
Outfit Idea One: Cream, Camel, and Muted Olive
This combination brings a little fall color into your photographs while still feeling soft and simple.
You could start with:
- A cream dress or sweater for mom.
- A muted olive shirt with tan pants for dad.
- Camel overalls, a soft brown dress, or a cream knit for the children.
You don’t need every person to wear all three colors. Think of them as options to choose from.
A little texture adds interest here, too. Knits, corduroy, and soft cotton can work together without needing a lot of pattern.
Outfit Idea Two: Oatmeal, Denim, and Soft Brown
If your family feels most comfortable in everyday clothes, this is a lovely place to start.
Try an oatmeal sweater for mom, a soft brown shirt for dad, and a mix of denim and neutral pieces for the children.
Denim can absolutely work for family photos. I’d lean toward simple washes without a lot of distressing, paired with softer colors elsewhere.
This palette is especially easy to build from pieces you may already own. Your photographs don’t require a shopping trip for every member of the family.
Outfit Idea Three: Warm Neutrals With One Muted Accent
If you’d like a little more color, start with cream, beige, and soft brown, then add one muted accent.
That could be dusty blue, soft rust, or muted burgundy.
For example, mom might wear a dusty blue dress while everyone else wears cream, tan, and brown. Or a child’s subtle floral dress might include the accent color, with the rest of the family pulling from its softer tones.
The accent doesn’t need to appear in everyone’s outfit. A little color can be enough.
Bring Layers You’re Happy to Have Photographed
October weather in Louisville can make outfit planning tricky. Your session may feel different from the afternoon when you first got everyone dressed.
Cardigans, simple sweaters, and neutral jackets give you options. Choose layers that work with your outfits so you aren’t worried about covering everything up if someone gets chilly.
Before session day, try the complete outfit with the layers included. It’s much easier to make a small adjustment at home than right before your photographs.
Choose Shoes Your Family Can Move In
We may walk, sit, cuddle, or let the children move around a little. Comfortable shoes help everyone enjoy that time.
Simple boots, flats, or clean neutral sneakers can all work, depending on your outfit and the setting.
For little ones, I’d choose familiar shoes over a brand-new pair that hasn’t been worn yet. If the shoes pinch or keep slipping off, that’s probably what your child will be thinking about.
Keep Patterns and Extras Simple
You don’t have to avoid every pattern. A small floral print or subtle plaid can be beautiful, especially when the other outfits are simpler.
I generally recommend skipping large logos, neon colors, and several busy patterns together. Those details can pull attention away from your family.
It also helps to check the small things before you leave: socks, underlayers, hair accessories, and anything that might peek out when you sit or pick up your child.
And please don’t worry about making everything perfect. These are just ways to make getting ready a little easier.
You Have Help With Styling
As part of your session experience, you receive complimentary access to my Styled by WI styling catalog.
Inside, you’ll find color palettes, family outfit inspiration, styling mood boards, maternity ideas, newborn session suggestions, and seasonal guides. I’ll send your access information before your session so you can browse whenever you have a few minutes.
I also have a client closet with options for moms and little ones. If you’re interested in borrowing something, reach out so we can check sizes and what’s available for your session.
And if you already have a few outfits in mind, send me photographs or screenshots. You don’t need to have everything decided first. I’m happy to help you choose between options or figure out the last piece.
Comfortable Matters More Than Perfect
The outfits help bring your photographs together, but I also want you to feel comfortable being in them.
Choose clothes you can cuddle your children in. Let your little ones move. Wear something that helps you feel like yourself.
If you’re planning fall family photos in Louisville and wondering where to start, I can help you pull everyone’s outfits together.
You bring your family. We’ll work through the clothing part together.
Andrea
Andrea Powell Photography
