Fall is my absolute favorite season for family photos. The light is warm, the leaves are gorgeous and Iowa fields turn that perfect golden color. It is also the busiest time of year for family sessions, which means I hear one question more than any other: "What should we wear?"
Here is my best advice for picking outfits for fall family photos in Iowa, so your family looks pulled together, feels comfortable and loves the photos for years.
Start With a Color Palette
Before anyone opens a closet, pick three or four colors that work well together. Then build every outfit from that palette. This is the easiest way to look coordinated without looking like everyone got dressed out of the same catalog.
A few fall palettes I love for Iowa sessions:
| Palette | Colors | Looks great in |
|---|---|---|
| Harvest | Mustard, rust, cream and denim | Golden fields and prairie grass |
| Woodland | Olive, camel, brown and ivory | Wooded trails and fall leaves |
| Soft neutral | Oatmeal, taupe, white and soft gray | Any location, any season |
| Rich jewel | Burgundy, deep green, navy and cream | Downtown brick and evergreen trees |
Not sure which colors look best on you? Try holding a white shirt and a cream shirt up to your face in natural light. If white looks better, lean toward cool colors like navy, deep green and burgundy. If cream looks better, try warm colors like rust, mustard and camel.
Coordinate, Don’t Match
Matching outfits can look a little stiff in photos. Instead, spread your palette across the family. Maybe Mom wears a rust dress, Dad wears a cream sweater with jeans and the kids mix mustard, denim and olive. Every outfit is different, but they all clearly belong together.
A good rule of thumb: start with the person who is hardest to dress (often Mom or a picky toddler), choose their outfit first and build everyone else around it.
Choose Texture Over Pattern
Texture adds so much depth to fall photos. Think chunky knit sweaters, corduroy, flannel, suede, denim and soft lace. These fabrics catch the light beautifully and photograph much better than flat cotton.
Patterns are fine in small doses. Let one person wear a subtle plaid or floral and keep everyone else in solids. Skip big logos, graphic tees, neon colors and busy patterns, because they pull attention away from your faces.
Dress for Iowa Weather
Iowa fall weather can go from 75 degrees to 45 degrees in the same week, so plan outfits that can adjust.
- Layer up. Cardigans, denim jackets, vests and scarves keep everyone warm and give you easy outfit variety. You can take a layer off for a few shots and put it back on.
- Think about shoes. Boots and booties look great and handle uneven ground, damp grass and fallen leaves.
- Keep kids comfy. If a sweater is itchy or shoes pinch, it will show on their faces. Have them try everything on a few days before.
- Bring a warm backup. A blanket and jackets in the car make cool evenings much happier.
Tips for Dressing Little Ones
- Soft knits, rompers and overalls are adorable and comfortable.
- Tights or leggings under dresses help on chilly evenings.
- Pack a backup outfit in case of spills, snacks or a surprise mud puddle.
- Bows, beanies and little suspenders are fun finishing touches.
Don’t Forget Mom
Moms often spend so much energy dressing everyone else that they leave themselves for last. Please don’t! A flowy dress or a soft sweater with a skirt photographs beautifully and moves nicely when you are walking or holding kids. You deserve to love how you look in your family photos too.
Shop My Fall Favorites
I keep a running list of fall outfits, kids clothes, accessories and mom must haves that look amazing on camera. You can browse it anytime in my Amazon storefront or check out more ideas on my Style Shop page.
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Ready to Book Your Fall Family Photos?
Fall dates fill up fast, especially those golden hour evenings in October. Take a look at my family photo sessions, then send me a message to check availability. Every session includes outfit guidance, so you never have to figure it out alone.