There’s something about fall in West Michigan that makes family photos feel extra magical. 🍂
The golden light, colorful trees, cozy textures, and crisp air create the perfect backdrop for photographs you’ll want to keep forever.
But then comes the question I hear from almost every family:
“What are we supposed to wear?”
If coordinating everyone’s outfits feels overwhelming, don’t worry—you don’t need perfectly matching outfits or an entirely new wardrobe. The goal is to create outfits that feel coordinated, comfortable, and timeless while still letting everyone’s personality shine.
Here are some of my favorite tips for putting together the perfect fall family photo outfits.
1. Start With Mom’s Outfit
If you’re feeling overwhelmed about where to begin, start with one outfit—and I usually recommend starting with mom.
Choose something you feel beautiful and comfortable in. A flowy midi or maxi dress, cozy sweater, or textured skirt can be a great starting point for the rest of the family’s outfits.
Once you have your outfit, pull colors and textures from it for everyone else.
For example:
Mom: Cream knit dress
Dad: Dark denim + tan sweater
Child: Rust sweater + neutral pants
Baby: Cream or oatmeal knit
The outfits don’t match, but they feel like they belong together.
2. Think “Coordinating,” Not “Matching”
Gone are the days of everyone wearing the exact same color.
Instead, choose a color palette and mix different shades within it.
Some of my favorite fall combinations are:
- Cream + tan + brown + olive
- Oatmeal + rust + denim
- Soft beige + dusty blue + brown
- Cream + sage + camel
- Warm brown + ivory + muted burgundy
- Navy + cream + tan
- Chocolate brown + oatmeal + soft blue
Think about your location, too. If we’re photographing your family surrounded by golden leaves, tall grasses, or an orchard, neutral and earthy tones will complement the scenery beautifully rather than compete with it.
3. Add Texture
Texture is one of my favorite ways to make family photos feel cozy and elevated.
Think:
- Chunky knits
- Corduroy
- Linen
- Denim
- Suede
- Quilted jackets
- Woven sweaters
- Soft wool
- Knit dresses
- Textured cardigans
You can have several people wearing neutral colors without the outfits feeling boring because the different textures add visual interest.
A cream sweater + corduroy pants + a knit dress + denim jacket can look much more interesting together than four people wearing the same color.
4. Layer, Layer, Layer
Fall weather in Michigan can be unpredictable, so layers are your best friend.
Think cardigans, vests, jackets, sweaters, scarves, and overshirts that can easily be added or removed.
Layers also photograph beautifully because they give outfits more dimension.
Try:
Dress + cardigan
T-shirt + denim jacket
Button-down + sweater
Sweater + quilted vest
Long-sleeve dress + textured cardigan
And don’t worry if you remove a layer halfway through the session. It can give us a completely different look without changing everyone’s entire outfit.
5. Don’t Be Afraid of Color
You don’t have to dress your entire family in beige to have beautiful photos.
Fall is a wonderful time to incorporate color—just think muted and earthy rather than neon or overly bright.
Beautiful fall colors include:
Rust
Olive
Chocolate brown
Burnt orange
Camel
Sage
Muted burgundy
Dusty blue
Cream
One person wearing a beautiful rust sweater while everyone else is in neutrals can be the perfect pop of color.
6. Avoid Everyone Wearing the Same Color
One of the easiest mistakes is putting everyone in the same shade.
Five people in white shirts and jeans may be coordinated, but the final images can feel a little flat.
Instead, choose 3–5 complementary colors and spread them throughout the family.
For example:
Cream + tan + olive + denim + brown
Mom might wear cream, Dad could wear brown, one child wears olive, another wears denim, and everyone has little touches of the other colors throughout their outfits.
This creates a cohesive look without feeling overly styled.
7. Choose Comfortable Clothes for Kids
This one is especially important.
If your little one is uncomfortable, itchy, too hot, or constantly pulling at their outfit, they’re probably not going to have much fun during their session.
Choose clothing that allows them to run, play, snuggle, and move.
I love soft sweaters, comfortable dresses, overalls, corduroy pants, and simple layers for little ones.
The best outfit is one they can actually be themselves in.
And don’t stress if your toddler gets a little dirty during the session. That’s part of the magic.
8. Keep Patterns Simple
Patterns can absolutely work in family photos—but I recommend choosing them thoughtfully.
Small florals, subtle stripes, classic plaid, and delicate patterns can add personality without taking over the photograph.
If one person is wearing a pattern, let the rest of the family wear mostly solids and textured pieces.
A good rule:
One or two subtle patterns + mostly solids = beautiful balance.
I would avoid everyone wearing different bold patterns at the same time.
9. Consider the Location
Your outfits should make sense with where we’re taking your photos.
For a cozy fall session in a field or orchard, think:
Warm neutrals + textured layers + earthy tones
For a more urban Grand Rapids session, you might lean toward:
Denim + cream + black + brown + structured layers
For a Lake Michigan session, consider:
Soft blues + cream + tan + denim
The location is part of the story, so I love when the outfits feel naturally connected to it. My favorite family photo locations in and around Grand Rapids!
10. Don’t Forget the Little Details
Accessories can make an outfit feel finished.
Consider:
- Simple jewelry
- A neutral hat
- Leather boots
- Mary Janes
- Loafers
- Scarves
- Bows or headbands
- Suspenders
- Simple belts
- Cozy socks
For little girls, a bow or simple hair accessory can be adorable. For boys, a cardigan, suspenders, or textured button-down can add just enough detail.
Just remember: less is often more.
My Favorite Fall Outfit Formula
If you want an easy place to start, try this:
Mom
Flowy cream, tan, rust, or olive dress + simple jewelry + boots
Dad
Dark or medium denim + neutral sweater + brown boots
Girls
Textured dress or skirt + cardigan + simple boots
Boys
Corduroy or denim pants + sweater or button-down + boots
Baby
Cream, oatmeal, tan, or soft brown knit outfit
This combination feels warm, timeless, and effortless without looking overly coordinated.
What NOT to Wear for Fall Family Photos
A few things I typically recommend avoiding:
❌ Neon or extremely bright colors
They can pull attention away from your faces.
❌ Everyone wearing the exact same outfit
Coordinating is much more natural than matching.
❌ Large logos or graphics
These can quickly date your photographs.
❌ Super tiny, busy patterns
They can become distracting in photographs.
❌ Clothing that you’re constantly adjusting
If you’re uncomfortable, it will show in the photos.
❌ Something you don’t feel like yourself in
The most beautiful photos happen when you feel comfortable being you.
The Most Important Rule: Wear Something That Feels Like YOU
Trends will come and go.
Your family photos should still feel beautiful five, ten, or twenty years from now.
So while I love helping families create a beautifully coordinated wardrobe, I never want you to feel like you have to dress a certain way just because you’re having your photos taken.
If your family lives in jeans and sweaters, wear jeans and sweaters.
If you love dresses, wear a dress.
If your little guy refuses anything except his favorite boots—bring the boots.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s capturing your family as you are right now.
The cuddles.
The laughter.
The little personalities.
The messy hair.
The tiny hands.
The way your children look at you.
Those are the things you’ll want to remember.
And those are the moments I’m there to photograph.
My favorite places to shop for fall family photos
Best overall / easiest to coordinate
- Abercrombie & Fitch — Great dresses, sweaters, jeans, neutrals, and elevated basics.
- Old Navy — Best budget option, especially when you need outfits for the whole family.
- Gap — Excellent for coordinating adults + kids without being identical.
- J.Crew Factory — J.Crew look at a lower price.
- Zara — Trendier pieces and beautiful textures/colors for kids and women.
- H&M — Great inexpensive sweaters, dresses, corduroy, knits and kids’ clothes.
- Mango — Gorgeous for Mom if you want a more sophisticated/editorial look.
- Boden — Beautiful fall colors and particularly good for kids’ dresses and classic family photos.
A little more elevated
9. Quince — Cashmere, knitwear, dresses and elevated basics; especially good for Mom + Dad.
10. J.Crew — Preppy, classic fall look; especially good for dads, boys, sweaters and accessories.
11. Anthropologie — Beautiful feminine dresses, skirts and sweaters.
12. Free People — Great if you like a relaxed, boho fall-photo aesthetic.
13. Aritzia — Minimal, modern, neutral pieces for Mom.
14. Nordstrom — Great one-stop shop when you want lots of brands and price points.
Especially good for kids
15. Hanna Andersson — Beautiful, classic kids’ pieces.
16. Janie and Jack — Really cute for family photos if you want a polished/dressier look.
17. Rylee + Cru — Gorgeous muted colors and elevated children’s clothing.
18. Quincy Mae — Particularly cute for babies/toddlers.
19. Target — Cat & Jack is great for affordable kids’ basics.
20. Carter’s — Good for babies and toddlers.
Planning Fall Family Photos in Grand Rapids?
Fall is one of my favorite times of year for family sessions in Grand Rapids and throughout West Michigan. From golden fields and beautiful parks to orchards and the Lake Michigan shoreline, there are so many gorgeous locations for an autumn session.
If you’re dreaming of warm, natural, connection-filled family photographs this fall, I’d love to help you plan everything—from choosing a location to figuring out what everyone should wear.
Ready to plan your fall family session? Let’s make some memories. 🍂📷
With love,
Precious
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