Fall Family Photography Outfit Ideas | Greene House Studios
October 13th, 2026
Fall is one of the most beautiful times of year for family photos! Between the colorful leaves, cozy sweaters, and soft autumn light, it's the perfect season to capture a few memories with the people you love most. But there's always that one question that comes up before a family photo session… "What should we wear?!"
Don't worry! You don't need to buy an entirely new wardrobe or spend hours coordinating outfits. A few simple styling tips can make a big difference in how your photos turn out. Whether you're joining me for a Fall Mini Session or planning a full family session somewhere in the Chicago suburbs, here's my guide to choosing outfits that photograph beautifully while still feeling like YOU!
1. Coordinate, Don't Match!
Gone are the days when everyone needs to wear identical white shirts and blue jeans! Instead, choose two or three complementary colors and build your family's outfits around them. My rule of thumb is to start with one outfit you absolutely love and build around it!
Have a little girl? Maybe you find the cutest floral dress for her, and suddenly you've got your whole family's color palette! Pull a few colors from her dress and use those to coordinate everyone else's outfits. Have a little boy? Same idea! Maybe you find an adorable plaid shirt or cozy sweater for him. Use those colors as your starting point and build the rest of the family's outfits around his look. Of course, this works for anyone in the family! The idea is to find one piece you love and let everyone else's outfits fall into place around it. It makes coordinating so much easier! The goal is to look like you belong together without looking like you're wearing matching uniforms.
Not My Photo - As this is just for inspiration.
2. Choose Colors That Complement the Fall Scenery
Fall already gives us a beautiful backdrop of golden leaves, warm browns, and earthy greens. While traditional fall colors like burnt orange, mustard yellow, and rust can be lovely, wearing too much of these colors can cause you to blend into the background. Instead, I love recommending lighter, softer colors that stand out naturally against the autumn scenery. Some of my favorites are cream, ivory, sage green, eucalyptus green, dusty blue, powder blue, light or medium-wash denim, oatmeal, khaki, and soft brown. These shades complement the fall colors without competing with them, keeping the focus on you and your family.
Now, my one exception? Burnt orange velvet! Call me crazy, but there's something about a burnt orange velvet dress that I just LOVE! I haven't actually photographed one yet, so this is purely my creative vision talking, but I have a feeling that rich velvet texture could look absolutely gorgeous against the fall scenery. Could I be wrong? Totally! But something tells me it could be beautiful! I'd pair it with lighter neutrals like cream, ivory, or soft beige to let the velvet be the star of the show. Sometimes you just have to trust your creative instincts!
3. Patterns Are Great… in Moderation!
I love a beautiful plaid shirt, a delicate floral dress, or a cozy patterned sweater, but when everyone wears a different pattern, photos can start to feel a little busy. My biggest styling rule is to limit patterns to one person, unless multiple family members are wearing the same exact pattern. For example, if your little girl is wearing a floral dress with hints of dusty blue, sage green, and cream, you could pull those colors into everyone else's solid-colored outfits. Small patterns photograph beautifully, especially when balanced with simple pieces. I generally recommend avoiding large graphics, bold lettering, logos, and overly busy prints because they can distract from the people in the photos. Remember, we want the focus to be on your family's faces and connections, not what's printed on your shirts!
Not My Photo - As this is just for inspiration.
4. Add Texture and Layers
One of the easiest ways to make outfits look more interesting is to mix textures! Think cozy knit sweaters, soft cardigans, denim, corduroy, cotton dresses, or a lightweight jacket. These little details add depth to your photos without making the outfits feel too busy. Layers are especially helpful during Illinois fall weather, when mornings can be chilly and afternoons surprisingly warm. A cream cable-knit sweater paired with jeans and brown boots is a classic combination that never goes out of style. And don't forget, layers can add variety to your photos without requiring a complete outfit change! Simply taking off a cardigan or adding a jacket can give you a slightly different look throughout your session.
Not My Photo - As this is just for inspiration.
5. Keep Shoes Comfortable (Especially for Kids!)
This is a big one! My sessions are relaxed and natural, which means we'll likely be walking, sitting, standing, and maybe even doing a little running or playing. If you're bringing little ones, make sure their shoes actually fit and that they've practiced walking and running in them before your session. Nothing interrupts a happy toddler faster than uncomfortable shoes! Some of my favorite footwear options include brown ankle boots, neutral sneakers, simple flats, and comfortable closed-toe shoes. For outdoor sessions, I'd avoid high heels that sink into the grass or shoes that are difficult to walk in. And parents, this applies to you, too! If you're going to be chasing your toddler or walking along a nature trail, you'll want shoes that allow you to move comfortably.
Not My Photo - As this is just for inspiration.
6. Keep Makeup and Accessories Natural
My photography style is light, soft, and true-to-color, and I want your natural beauty to shine through! You don't need heavy makeup or dramatic accessories to look wonderful in photos. A little definition around the eyes, a natural lip color, and simple jewelry can go a long way. If you normally wear makeup, stick with a look that feels comfortable and familiar rather than trying something completely new on the day of your session. The same goes for hairstyles. Choose something that feels like you and can handle a little autumn breeze! I love when hair has a little natural movement, and I want you to feel comfortable rather than constantly worrying about fixing it. Simple, timeless accessories are always a great choice because they won't take attention away from your beautiful faces.
Not My Photo - As this is just for inspiration.
7. Dressing Babies and Toddlers
If you're bringing little ones, comfort is everything! I love capturing genuine smiles, tiny hands, playful moments, and the way your child naturally interacts with you. Choose outfits that allow them to move freely rather than something that looks adorable but makes it difficult for them to sit, walk, or play. For babies, soft knit rompers, simple dresses, and cozy layers are wonderful options. For toddlers, comfortable sweaters, leggings, jeans, and flexible shoes work beautifully. I also recommend bringing a favorite toy to help catch their attention, a few non-messy snacks, wipes, and an extra layer in case the weather gets chilly. Try to avoid clothing that constantly needs adjusting, because the less we're fixing outfits, the more time we have to capture those sweet moments. And please don't stress if your toddler isn't interested in sitting perfectly still! Some of my favorite moments happen when kids are simply being kids. We'll follow their lead and make the experience fun!
Not My Photo - As this is just for inspiration.
8. Three Easy Fall Outfit Combinations
Still not sure where to start? Let me share three of my favorite color combinations for fall family photos! The first is cream, denim, and sage green, which is one of my absolute favorites. Imagine Mom in a sage green dress or cream sweater with jeans, Dad in an ivory sweater with medium-wash denim or khaki pants, and the kids in a mix of dusty blue, cream, and soft green. This combination feels fresh, natural, and beautiful against colorful fall leaves.
Another favorite is dusty blue, oatmeal, and brown. Picture Mom in a dusty blue dress or soft blue sweater, Dad in an oatmeal sweater with brown or khaki pants, and the kids wearing cream knits, light denim, and soft brown accessories. This palette is especially lovely for families who want a softer, classic look that feels timeless without being too formal.
My third suggestion is ivory, soft plaid, and khaki. Think a cream knit sweater with jeans and brown boots for Mom, a subtle cream-and-brown plaid shirt with khaki pants for Dad, and ivory, dusty blue, or sage green tops for the kids. This combination adds a little pattern and personality without overwhelming the photos. And remember, these are just ideas! You can swap colors, outfits, and who wears what to fit your family's personality. There's no need to follow a specific formula as long as everything complements each other.
Not My Photo - As this is just for inspiration.
9. What NOT to Wear for Fall Photos
While I always want families to express their personal style, there are a few things I generally recommend avoiding. Neon colors are probably at the top of my list because they can create unwanted color reflections on your skin and stand out a little too much against the natural scenery. Large logos, graphics, and bold lettering can also draw attention away from your family's faces, while too many competing patterns can make the overall photo feel busy. I'd also be cautious about dressing everyone in burnt orange, mustard yellow, or rust because those colors can blend right into the autumn leaves (unless we're talking about that velvet dress I'm dreaming of!). Heavy or distracting accessories, uncomfortable clothing, and shoes that make walking difficult are other things I'd suggest skipping.
And one little detail that's easy to forget: empty those pockets! Before your session, make sure you have a plan for your phones, keys, wallets, and anything else you normally carry. We definitely don't want bulky phones or keys creating awkward outlines in your pockets! Leave them safely in your car or bring a small bag where you can keep everything together and out of the photos. It's such a small detail, but it makes a big difference!
Remember, these aren't strict rules! They're simply recommendations to help your photos look natural, timeless, and focused on the people who matter most.
10. You Don't Need to Buy Everything New!
Before you head out shopping, take a look through everyone's closets! You might be surprised by how many pieces you already have that would work beautifully for your family photos. Maybe Dad already has the perfect cream sweater, Mom has a favorite pair of jeans, or your little one has an adorable outfit just waiting to be worn. You don't need to buy an entirely new wardrobe! Sometimes it's as simple as working with what you already own and adding one or two new pieces to tie everything together. Maybe that's a cute floral dress for your daughter, a cozy sweater for your son, or a new cardigan that complements everyone's colors. Lay everything out together, see what works, and fill in the gaps from there. And if you're stuck between a few options, feel free to send me photos! I'm always happy to help my clients coordinate their outfits before their session. I want getting ready for your photos to feel exciting, not stressful (or expensive!).
Ready for Your Fall Photos?
At Greene House Studios, my goal is to capture natural smiles, genuine connections, and all those little moments that make your family unique. Whether we're chasing a toddler through the leaves, sharing a cozy family hug, or capturing a quiet moment together, I want your photos to feel relaxed, authentic, and timeless. So don't worry about making everything perfect. Wear something you love, bring your favorite people, and come ready to make a few memories!
With love,
Meg
Greene House Studios
www.greenehousestudios.com
Serving families, couples, and little ones throughout Chicago's western suburbs, including Wheaton, Naperville, Geneva, St. Charles, and surrounding communities.
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