Fall family photos are some of my favorite sessions to photograph in New England. The foliage gives us a beautiful backdrop, the light can be incredible, and there is something about a crisp fall afternoon that makes everyone want to slow down and enjoy being outside together. Fall in New England is so iconic for so many reasons. The foliage, the crisp weather, the fall outfits perfect for any family photo session. But if you’ve booked your fall family photos, there is probably one question that comes up before anything else: What are we going to wear?
After being a professional family photographer taking portraits outdoors for more than 17 years, I’ve seen just about every combination of sweaters, boots, dresses, jeans, jackets and fall colors. I’ve also learned that the best outfits aren’t necessarily the most elaborate ones. They are the ones that let everyone move comfortably, complement the setting and still look like your family.
If you’re planning outdoor fall family photos in Boston or on the North Shore, here are my favorite ways to put together outfits that look beautiful without making everyone feel overly dressed.
Start With Your Location
Before choosing colors or shopping for outfits, think about where your session will take place. A location with deep green trees and changing leaves will look very different from an open field, a park with golden foliage or a location with a mix of evergreens and autumn color.
For family photos with more trees, I especially love clothing that complements the natural surroundings rather than competing with them. Soft neutrals, warm earth tones, muted greens, denim and richer autumn colors all work beautifully against trees and fall foliage.
You don’t need to dress in head to toe orange or burgundy just because it is October. In fact, some of my favorite fall galleries include families wearing soft creams, camel, dusty blue, olive, brown and denim. Let the landscape be colorful. Your clothing doesn’t have to be.
Choose a Color Palette, Not Matching Outfits
One of the easiest ways to make a family look coordinated is to stop thinking about matching altogether. Instead, choose a small color palette that everyone can work within. I usually recommend starting with two or three main colors and then adding a neutral or subtle accent. You might choose:
- Cream + camel + olive
- Rust + denim + cream
- Brown + dusty blue + ivory
- Olive + tan + warm white
- Burgundy + blush + beige
- Navy + camel + cream
The goal isn’t for everyone to wear the same colors. It is for the outfits to feel like they belong together when you see the whole family in one photograph. A great place to start is with one outfit you really love. Maybe it’s mom’s dress or your daughter’s sweater. Pull one or two colors from that outfit and use them as inspiration for everyone else.
Don’t Feel Like Everyone Needs to Wear “Fall Colors”
This is one of my favorite things to remind families. You do not have to put everyone in mustard, rust and burgundy. If your personal style is lighter and more neutral, lean into it. Cream, ivory, taupe, soft brown, dusty blue and muted greens can look beautiful against colorful foliage.
If you prefer richer colors, those work beautifully too. The best palette is one that feels like your family while still working with the environment around you. When it comes to fall family photo outfits, comfort and looking like yourselves is key.
Think About the Colors of New England Fall Foliage
Fall foliage already gives us an incredible amount of color to work with. Depending on the location and timing of your session, you may have golden yellow, orange, red, deep green and brown leaves surrounding you. That gives you plenty of options.
Colors I love for fall family photos:
Warm neutrals:
Cream, ivory, beige, camel, tan and warm brown
Muted colors:
Olive, sage, dusty blue, muted rose and soft gray
Rich autumn colors:
Rust, terracotta, burgundy, mustard and deep green
Classic neutrals:
Navy, denim, charcoal and ivory
You can also mix a warm color with a cooler neutral. A dusty blue sweater with brown pants, for example, can look beautiful against autumn foliage without feeling overly “fall themed.”
Layers Are Your Best Friend
This might be the most practical piece of advice I can give families having outdoor fall photos in New England.
Bring layers.
October weather can be unpredictable. One afternoon may feel surprisingly warm while another can be downright chilly.
A layered outfit gives you options without sacrificing the overall look.
Think:
- Cardigans
- Knit sweaters
- Denim jackets
- Vests
- Lightweight coats
- Sweater dresses
- Scarves
- Overshirts
- Textured jackets
Layers also add visual interest to photographs. A simple dress can look completely different with a cardigan or jacket added over it.
For babies and young children, I especially recommend planning for the possibility that they may need an extra layer. You can always remove it if they’re warm, but it’s much harder to recover a session when a little one is cold and miserable.
Dress for Movement, Not Just the Photograph
This is especially important for families with young children. Your children are not going to stand still for an entire photo session. They are going to run, walk, sit, climb, cuddle, pick up leaves and probably do something you didn’t expect.
That’s a good thing. I want your gallery to include beautiful portraits, but I also want your children to be able to move naturally.
Choose clothing that allows them to bend, walk and play comfortably. Avoid anything that is so stiff, tight or uncomfortable that your child immediately wants it off.
The same goes for parents. If you know you’ll be walking through a field or wooded location, choose shoes you can actually walk in. When everyone is comfortable, it is much easier for the session to feel relaxed.
Texture Makes Simple Outfits More Interesting
You don’t need a complicated outfit to create a beautiful photograph. Texture can do a lot of the work for you. Think chunky knits, cable sweaters, corduroy, linen blends, soft wool, denim, suede and subtle woven fabrics.
For example, a family wearing cream, brown and denim could feel fairly simple on paper. Add a chunky knit sweater, a corduroy skirt and a textured cardigan and suddenly the outfits have much more dimension. Texture is particularly beautiful in fall because it complements the natural textures around you.
What Should Mom Wear for Fall Family Photos?
If you’re the person who usually ends up coordinating everyone’s outfits, I recommend choosing your own outfit first. Find something you genuinely feel good wearing.
A long dress, midi dress, skirt, wide-leg pants with a sweater, or a simple pair of jeans with a beautiful textured top can all work beautifully. You don’t have to wear a dress for family photos. You also don’t have to dress more formally than the rest of your family.
The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and confident enough to move, cuddle your kids and actually enjoy the session. Once you’ve chosen your outfit, use its colors and style to build everyone else’s outfits around it.
What Should Dad Wear?
Dad’s outfit doesn’t need to be complicated. A well fitting sweater, henley, button down, chinos or dark denim can create a polished look without feeling overly formal. Layers are particularly easy here. A sweater over a button-down, a casual jacket or a textured overshirt can add interest without making the outfit feel dressy.
And please don’t underestimate the importance of shoes. If we’re photographing outdoors, choose something comfortable enough to walk in and neutral enough to blend with the rest of the wardrobe.
What Should Kids Wear?
For kids, I prioritize comfort above almost everything else. If your child hates the outfit, we are probably going to know about it five minutes into the session.
Look for soft fabrics, comfortable waistbands, shoes they can walk in and layers that can be added or removed depending on the weather.
For girls, dresses, skirts, sweaters, tights, leggings, cardigans and boots all work beautifully. For boys, sweaters, henleys, textured button-downs, chinos, corduroy and dark denim are easy choices.
And don’t be afraid to let your child’s personality show. A favorite color or a small accessory can make the outfit feel much more personal.
Don’t Forget the Shoes
Shoes are easy to overlook when you’re planning a family wardrobe, but they are going to appear in plenty of photographs. For outdoor sessions, I usually recommend simple, neutral footwear that works with the rest of the outfits. Boots, loafers, leather shoes, simple sneakers and other neutral styles can all work well.
The biggest thing I would avoid is choosing a shoe that is uncomfortable simply because it looks good in one photograph. If we’re walking through leaves or a grassy field, everyone needs to be able to move.
What I Would Avoid
There aren’t many hard rules when it comes to family photo clothing, but there are a few things I tend to steer families away from.
Everyone wearing the exact same color.
Matching shirts and jeans can make a family look more like a uniform than a group of individuals.
Large logos or prominent graphics.
They tend to pull attention away from faces and connection.
Very small, busy patterns.
Tiny stripes and tightly packed patterns can become distracting in photographs.
Uncomfortable shoes.
Especially for children. There is no outfit worth a miserable walk through a field.
Bulky winter coats.
If your session is later in the fall and you need serious warmth, we can absolutely work with that. But whenever possible, layers such as sweaters, wool coats and jackets photograph more naturally than a large puffer.
Anything your child already hates.
This may be the most important one.
If your toddler refuses to wear something at home, a family photo session is probably not the time to introduce it.
Where to Shop for Fall Family Photo Outfits
You absolutely do not need to buy an entirely new wardrobe for family photos. Start by looking through your closets. You may already have the perfect sweater, pair of boots or neutral dress to build everything else around. If you do need a few pieces, there are plenty of stores that make family styling fairly easy.
For women’s clothing, I often recommend looking at Madewell, Nordstrom, J.Crew, Boden, Gap and similar retailers for sweaters, dresses, cardigans and simple layering pieces.
For children, Hanna Andersson, H&M, Zara, Old Navy and Children’s Place are all worth browsing.
I especially like looking for pieces that can be worn again after your photo session. A beautiful sweater or cardigan doesn’t need to be a “photo outfit.” Ideally, it becomes something your family actually loves wearing throughout the season.
A Few Real Fall Family Photo Outfit Ideas
Sometimes it is easier to see what I mean than to read a list of colors.
Here are a few real families from my 2025 outdoor fall sessions and what I loved about their wardrobe choices.
Warm Neutrals + Fall Foliage
The foliage provides plenty of color here, so the neutral wardrobe keeps the attention on the family while still feeling completely at home in the setting.
Denim + Cream + Earth Tones
Denim is one of my favorite ways to add a casual, timeless element to fall family photos. Pairing it with cream, brown or olive keeps everything cohesive without feeling overly coordinated.
Layers + Texture
This is a great example of why layers work so well for fall. The different textures add interest while still keeping the overall palette simple.
Letting Kids Be Kids
The goal of family photos isn’t to create a perfect fashion editorial. It is to photograph your family as they are right now. Clothing that allows children to move, play and interact makes it much easier for us to capture those genuine moments.
What If the Weather Doesn’t Feel Like Fall?
This is New England, after all. Your October session could be 65 degrees and sunny, or it could be cold enough that everyone wants a blanket.
That’s why I recommend planning layers rather than choosing an outfit based entirely on what the weather usually does. Keep an eye on the forecast as your session gets closer and make adjustments as needed. If temperatures change dramatically, we can also talk through the best options for keeping everyone comfortable.
And remember that your session doesn’t have to look “perfectly fall” to be beautiful. Sometimes the trees are just beginning to change. Sometimes the ground is covered in leaves but the trees are still green. Sometimes the best part of the session is the light.
Frequently Asked Questions About Outdoor Fall Family Photo Outfits
What colors look best for fall family photos?
Warm neutrals, muted earth tones, denim, olive, cream, brown, rust, burgundy, dusty blue and other soft or rich autumn colors can all photograph beautifully. The best choice depends on your location, the foliage and your personal style.
Should everyone match for family photos?
No. I recommend coordinating rather than matching. Choose a small color palette and let each person’s outfit have its own personality.
Should we wear neutral colors for fall family photos?
You absolutely can. Neutral colors such as cream, beige, camel, brown and ivory look beautiful against colorful New England foliage and can create a timeless look.
What should my child wear for outdoor fall photos?
Choose something comfortable enough for your child to walk, run and sit in. Soft layers, sweaters, dresses, denim, corduroy and comfortable shoes are all great options.
How early should we choose our outfits?
I recommend starting several weeks before your session. This gives you time to try everything on, make sure the children are comfortable and order anything you still need without rushing.
Can you help us choose what to wear?
Absolutely. If you’re stuck between a few options, send them my way. I am always happy to give you my thoughts on colors, layers and how everything will work together in the setting we’ve chosen.
The Best Outfit Is One You Can Forget About
Ultimately, the goal isn’t to spend your entire family session thinking about your clothes. I want you to be able to walk through the leaves, hold your kids, laugh with your partner and enjoy the afternoon. The right outfits simply make that easier.
Whether we’re photographing your family in a wooded location, an open field or one of the beautiful parks around Boston and the North Shore, I’ll help guide you through the session so you can focus on being together.
If you’re planning outdoor family photos this fall, I’d love to create something beautiful and personal for your family. Contact Kate via email or by text at (617) 918-7149 to plan your fall family photos.
