Autumn is a beautiful time to update your family photographs. The softer light, warm colours and changing countryside create a lovely natural backdrop without needing lots of decoration or props.
Once you have booked your session, however, there is often one question that causes more worry than anything else:
What should everyone wear?
The good news is that you do not need to buy an entirely new wardrobe or make everyone match. A little thought about colour, texture and comfort is usually all it takes to bring everything together.
Here is my simple guide to what to wear for autumn family photos, without losing your family’s individual personality.
Rather than choosing one colour for everyone, select a small palette of complementary shades.
For an autumn photoshoot, colours that work particularly well include:
You do not need to include all of these. Two or three main colours, mixed with a few neutral shades, will usually be enough.
For example, one person could wear an olive jumper, another a cream dress and another a rust-coloured cardigan with neutral trousers. The outfits feel connected without looking overly coordinated.
The days of everyone wearing identical white shirts and blue jeans are, thankfully, behind us.
Matching outfits can make a family portrait feel quite formal and can distract from everyone’s individual character. Coordinating your colours creates a much softer and more natural result.
A useful starting point is to choose one outfit you particularly love. This might be Mum’s dress, a child’s patterned shirt or a favourite knitted jumper. You can then pick out two or three colours from that outfit and use them across the rest of the family.
Lay everything together on a bed before the session. This makes it much easier to spot a colour that feels out of place or an outfit that is drawing too much attention.
Autumn clothing naturally lends itself to layers and texture, both of which photograph beautifully.
Knitted jumpers, cardigans, corduroy, linen, wool and soft scarves can add interest without overwhelming the photographs. Layers are also practical when the temperature is changeable.
Try to avoid very bulky coats if possible, as they can hide your shape and make it harder to capture natural cuddles and movement. A warm base layer, jumper or cardigan may work better during the photographs, with coats kept nearby for breaks.
For younger children, make sure they are genuinely warm enough. A beautifully coordinated outfit will not help if they are cold and thoroughly unimpressed by the situation.
Patterns can work well, but they are best used sparingly.
A delicate floral dress, fine check or understated stripe can add interest. If one person is wearing a pattern, keep the other outfits fairly simple and choose colours that appear within it.
Try to avoid:
The aim is for the clothing to support the photograph rather than become the first thing you notice.
It is worth considering where you may eventually display your photographs.
If your home has a calm, neutral feel, clothes in cream, brown, olive and muted rust will usually sit beautifully within it. If your home includes more colour, you might choose slightly richer shades such as burgundy, mustard or deep green.
Your photographs do not need to match your sofa exactly, but choosing colours that suit your home can help framed portraits feel as though they truly belong there.
Comfort matters far more than following a particular trend.
Family photoshoots involve walking, sitting, cuddling, playing and occasionally negotiating with a small person who has decided they would rather explore in the opposite direction.
Children should be able to move freely without uncomfortable waistbands, stiff collars or shoes they cannot walk in. Adults should also choose clothes that feel like them. If you feel awkward or self-conscious in an outfit, that feeling can show in the photographs.
Before the session, check that everyone can sit, bend and move comfortably. It is also worth removing labels that scratch and making sure new shoes have been worn beforehand.
Shoes can easily be forgotten, but they will often appear in full-length photographs.
Boots, ankle boots and simple leather shoes work particularly well during autumn. Neutral trainers can also look good for a more relaxed family.
Try to avoid very bright sports shoes unless they are a deliberate part of the overall colour palette. Make sure footwear is practical for grass, woodland paths or slightly damp ground.
British autumn weather is not always entirely cooperative, so a little preparation can make the session much more comfortable.
Useful things to bring include:
You do not need to bring lots of props. The autumn landscape, changing light and your family’s connection provide more than enough interest.
These suggestions are a guide, not a strict set of rules.
If your child wears a favourite pair of boots everywhere, or your family is known for wearing colourful knitwear, it is perfectly fine to include those details. Your photographs should still feel like your family.
The most important thing is that you feel relaxed, comfortable and able to enjoy your time together.
Autumn family photoshoots are ideal for capturing children as they are now, updating photographs of the whole family and creating meaningful gifts ahead of Christmas.
My approach is natural and relaxed, with gentle guidance rather than stiff posing. I will also help you plan your clothing before the session, so you do not need to work everything out alone.
You can find out more about my family photography near Andover, or get in touch to ask about autumn availability at my studio and outdoor locations in Hampshire.
The leaves may not stay on the trees for long, but your photographs will last considerably longer.
