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What to Wear for Your Fall Family Photos

Photography Tips

WHAT TO WEAR FOR YOUR FALL FAMILY PHOTOS

By: Sophie Walsh, Sophie Ryan Photography | September 2, 2022

Fall is here and that means your Family portraits are just around the corner. Figuring out how to style your family can be challenging. Here I share some tips that I use, as a family photographer, with my clients.

All photos taken and copyrighted by Sophie Ryan Photography

You’ve booked the session, or maybe you’re still contemplating booking one because the idea of getting your family dressed is just too much at the moment. We all have those days when getting ourselves and our kids dressed can be a challenge in itself. Putting together that “picture perfect” ensemble for our family’s portrait that will hang on our walls for years to come adds a next level of stress. So, before you pull your entire closet onto your bed and go on an online shopping spree for clothes you will only wear once, let’s chat about what to keep in mind when styling your family.

Ladies first!

When I collaborate with my clients on styling, we choose mom’s outfit first and then coordinate the rest of the family. After all, mom is usually the one putting together the outfits anyway. Women’s clothing tends to be more colorful and patterned so it’s much easier to first figure out what mom will wear, then choose a few complimentary colors for her family’s wardrobe.

Feel and look like yourself

We all want to look our best for the camera but what’s more important is that we feel our best. In order to capture your family’s personality, it’s important to be comfortable in what you’re wearing. Make sure your shoes don’t cause your kid’s feet to blister. Bring a cardigan or vest to keep warm in those chilly Marin coastal winds, and make sure your clothing isn’t too stiff so that it moves with your body, otherwise your faces will show your discomfort.

Compliment without being too matchy-matchy

Gone are the days of everyone wearing the same outfit for family photos. When more than one family member wears the same color, they end up blending into one another. For example, if mom is wearing green and she’s holding her baby who is also dressed in green, it’s hard to tell where mom’s body ends and baby’s begins. My rule of thumb for a coordinated wardrobe is to focus on three to four complimentary colors (think back to the color wheel from grade school). However, there are always exceptions to the rule, intentional matching looks good when it’s a family wearing the same Christmas pajamas or if it’s done in a subtle way, usually with a neutral color palette.

It's all in the details.

I advise my clients to ditch their watches (especially smart watches) because they reflect light, causing glare, which once you see, you just can’t unsee! Phones and keys should be taken out of pockets to prevent unwanted bulges.

Accessorize!

I love jewelry, hats, scarves, tights and headbands. There’s seriously nothing cuter than a little girl in knee high socks or a little boy in suspenders but the focus should be on your beautiful faces, so don’t overdo it! Headbands or bows that are too colorful or big can overpower a little girl’s face and colorful jewelry can appear busy. Your accessories should add something to the photo not be the main focus.

Patterns and Prints

I find that one or two subtle patterns or prints per photo is enough. Our eyes are drawn to patterns and prints and if there are competing patterns in the photo, then the eye doesn’t know which area to focus on. Bold patterns, bright prints and words or logos tend to overwhelm the photo.

Don’t forget about your shoes!

Shoes are the most often overlooked part of the outfit but they are key to polishing off your look. Try to match your shoes to the setting; heels for an urban setting, barefeet for the beach, boots for the hills. And remember that even if your babies aren’t walking yet, they can still wear cute booties.

Sophie Walsh is a local mom and Marin County Lifestyle Photographer/ Owner of Sophie Ryan Photography. She enjoys telling a family’s story through authentic imagery. You can find her most recent work on sophieryanphotography.com or on Instagram at @sophieryanphotography