Fall weather in southwest Florida can make planning family photos a little confusing. You may be dreaming of cozy vibes with soft sweaters, warm colors, and crunchy leaves underfoot, but the weather is still in the 80’s. As a mom, I also know that planning outfits for everyone can be a huge headache, making sure things coordinate, are comfortable, and then pivoting the day of the session because one of your kids absolutely refuses to wear the outfit they loved yesterday is absolutely the headache you think it is!
The good news? You don’t need heavy layers or perfectly matching outfits to get beautiful fall photos. A simple color palette in comfortable breathable fabric and little details and textures can truly make all the difference!
Start with colors that feel like Fall
When you’re looking at your families outfits, think about colors that feel warm, comforting, and earthy, without looking dark or heavy.
Some of my favorites are:
* Cream, oatmeal, and tan.
* Olive, sage, and forest green.
* Rust, cinnamon, and burnt orange.
* Dusty blue, denim, and navy
* burgundy, dusty rose, and plum
* soft mustard, marigold, or honey
Now you don’t use every color, just choose 2 or 3 that work well together, then mix in your neutral.
Dress for Florida, not a chilly pumpkin patch
As a Minnesota girl there is nothing else I love more than a thick flannel or a chunky sweater, but Southwest Florida really doesn’t give us sweater weather… and as a mom of 2 with one on the way please take my advice: hot, uncomfortable kids do not make for an enjoyable photo session.
Always look for breathable fabrics like cotton or linen, flowy dresses, lightweight button ups, and comfortable shorts or pants. You can still create a fall look through your color and pattern choices without dressing everyone for a completely different climate.
Add interest with textures and subtle patterns
If everyone is wearing only solids, only plaid, or only t-shirts and denim photos can sometimes feel a little flat. Adding a bit of texture or a little pattern gives your images more visual interest while also keeping it cohesive.
I suggest a few easy options such as: a subtle floral dress, a textured blouse, soft stripes, suspenders, lace details, 1 person in plaid, or a lightweight knit.
Try to still to 1 or 2 patterns across the whole family and then pull the rest of the families colors from the patterns you’ve selected.
Don’t forget shoes!
Shoes are easy to overlook, but they can and do show up in photos! Neutral sandals, plain sneakers, loafers, or little boots all work well depending on the setting.
I recommend avoiding bright athletic shoes, crocs, or anything with a big logo on it since they can draw attention away from your family! Most importantly, most fall photos are taken outdoors on uneven ground so make sure everyone can walk comfortably, Especially the little ones!
Plan moms outfit first
This might be my biggest piece of advice: start with whatever makes mom most comfortable and confident, and then build everyone else’s outfits around hers.
As moms we tend to worry about getting everyone else dressed first and figuring out ourselves last, but you deserve to feel good in your photos too!
Whether you love a flowy floral patterned dress, an olive green tunic and leggings, or if you just feel your best in jeans and a cream blouse, use that as your starting point because all of those can work beautifully for photos! There are no rules that say your outfit has to look a certain way, the goal is always to feel like yourself.
A few easy fall family outfit combinations
Here are a few color combinations that can photograph beautifully:
* Olive, cream, and camel: soft, earthy, timeless
* Rust, beige, and duty blue: warm with a little contrast
* Burgundy, cream, and tan: Rich and classic
* Sage, oatmeal, and muted mustard: light and playful
* Dusty rose, olive, and cream: soft, romantic, and a little unexpected
Looking for a fall family photographer in Cape Coral?
If you’re planning fall family photos in Cape Coral or anywhere in Southwest Florida, I’d love to help you capture the memories of your family just as they are in this beautiful season of life.
My fall mini sessions are scheduled for September 27th and October 17th in North Fort Myers.
Sessions are 15 minutes, included 10 edited images, and are $125 with a $25 retainer.
Whether you already have everyone’s outfits picked out or need a little help getting started, I’m always happy to help you plan!
