Everybody loves fall portraits – the rich colors, warm sweaters, and cozy poses are a longstanding favorite for families. However, preparing for a family portrait session involves more than just showing up at the park. Between selecting the perfect wardrobe and planning for the unpredictability of the outdoors, there are lots of things to keep in mind. When clients ask what to wear for a great fall family portrait, here’s how to help them plan.
Wardrobe plays a huge role in how the final images look and feel, so it’s essential to help your clients pick outfits that fit the season, location, and their personal style. Zookbinders invites you to share these great tips with families who ask what to wear for a great fall family portrait.
Style, Tone, Color
Clothing Style
Choosing a style of clothing is the first step in bringing all of the outfits together for a fall family portrait session. All portrait subjects must have an intentionally similar style. We don’t want one subject to seem over or underdressed for the occasion.
Choosing a clothing style might also reflect what is going to happen with the finished images. More on that in just a bit. Here are some style categories to work with when helping clients decide what to wear for a great fall family portrait.
Formal
Formal sessions can be done in a variety of locations including outdoors, like at a manicured park with touches of architecture. Suits, ties, ruffled blouses, skirts, and dress shoes signal a more formal attire. Get fancy!
Formal doesn’t have to mean stiff – let personalities shine through with stylish and fun touches like sequined scarves and furry wraps to make your family portrait unique. This choice might not be for everyone when it comes to outdoor portraits but it’s a unique way to style a family.
Semi-Formal/Semi-Casual
Think business casual or styled sportswear. It’s all about balance here – polished, but not too structured. Semi-formal clothing is everyday wear with a slightly more tailored look. Like something to wear out to nicer dinner.
Crew neck sweaters or cardigans over oxford shirts, longer skirts or dresses with cute tops and jackets, and even nice jeans and tailored flannel shirts can look put together without being fussy. Accessories like scarves, belts, and subtle jewelry can add a touch of sophistication without feeling overdone.
A semi-formal look might be a good option for a multi generational portrait because it can be accessible to a variety of age groups.
Casual
For families wanting a more laid-back, every-day vibe, casual clothing can work really well. Jeans and cargo pants, flannels over t-shirts, and vests all look nice in a low key outdoor portraits session.
Casual doesn’t mean sloppy though. Choose traditional denim, comfortable dresses, vests, layered sweaters and hoodies. Try to avoid clothing that is super trendy. Instead, opt for timeless, classic pieces that will still look great years from now.
Choosing a Tone
Choosing wardrobe tone; light, dark, or medium is how clients will choose the neutrals in their clothing for their fall portrait session. If they choose a dark tone then black, navy, or gray can be the neutrals. Khaki, white, taupe, and even a light washed denim can be neutrals for a lighter clothing tone.
It’s important that everyone in the group is in harmony with the tone of their clothing. Keep in mind the article of clothing that is in contrast with everything else will get the most attention.
When asking the question, what to wear for a great fall family portrait, the answer might not reflect a specific individual’s style. Instead the look that is created is based on the group of subjects as a whole within the composition of a portrait. For portraits, it’s best that the eye be drawn to the faces and not towards the one person in a bright orange floral print.
Add Color
With the style and neutral base decided, add color accents that complement the neutrals. Jewel tones like blue, green, burgundy, and plum pair well, with black, gray, and navy. Pastels like sage, blush pink, and pale blue go well with light neutrals.
Family members don’t have to wear the same thing. Some participants may be in neutrals from head to toe and others may have color accents throughout the look.
What to Wear for a Great Fall Family Portrait Sessions?
Being confident about the outfits selected for a fall portrait session can be a big stress relief for clients. Pulling it all together may take a little finessing. If your client is unsure about their clothing choices, here’s a wardrobe test. Ask them to lay all the outfits out on a bed. If one item of clothing visually pops out – replace it. Remember dressing for portraits is about styling a look that visually works with the background and subject without being too distracting. The idea is to look at faces and the interactions between family members.
When planning that fall portrait session keep in mind that the background setting is going to have a lot going on. Bright yellows, dark oranges and brown tones all compete for attention. Clothing should not be part of that competition. In most situations, solid colors and small patterns work best. Avoid reds, oranges, “neon” colors, and pure white to minimize visual distractions.
Don’t forget to consider the element when working with clients outdoors, especially in the fall. Footwear and additional outerwear, like scarves and jackets, can easily be blended into the look you are trying to achieve while keeping everyone comfortable in the elements.
Asking clients what that would like to do with the images you create can help make decisions about what to wear for a great fall family portrait session. If a family portrait will hang in a living room or entryway, maybe elevate the clothing style to meet the space. If clients want a family portrait album with a distressed leather cover to sit on a coffee table in a cozy den, then maybe a rustic casual look is the way to go.
Talking with clients about what their intention is for the session images opens up styling possibilities that may not have been considered. This elevates their experience with you.
By planning portrait outfits carefully and preparing for the outdoor elements, you can create beautiful family portraits that capture the season’s warmth and joy. The effort that goes in to curating a special look, finding the best park, and utilizing the most flattering light means these fall portraits deserve much more than a moment on a holiday card or a story in Instagram. Introducing professional photo albums, framed wall art and canvas along with custom holiday cards gives your clients the best options for what to do with their portraits.
When clients ask what to wear for a great fall family portrait, don’t hesitate to ask, what do you want to do with the images from your session? From there you can help create a look that will be enjoyed for years to come.
To learn more about the different albums that Zookbinders offers, check out this Album Comparison Chart. For wall art ideas and printed products check out McKenna.
