With fall officially in swing and all the holiday chaos beginning, family photos are at the front of everyone’s minds. We’re starting to plan for annual family photos, and planning matching outfits for your entire bunch can be intimidating! As Denver family photographers, we work hard to ensure the session is as seamless and enjoyable as possible, and that all begins with prep for the actual photos. I love helping my clients plan for their sessions, from location to outfits; I’ll provide you with tips, inspiration, and guidance to make things easier. However, the most popular question I get asked is? Do we have to match outdoor fall family photos outfits? Throughout the blog, I will share my thoughts and tips!

To Be Frank, No, You Don’t Have to Match For Your Outdoor Fall Family Photos

While this may seem shocking, I don’t think you have to match perfectly for your photos. There is a time and place for matching outfits. However, when we focus solely on matching, a lot of personality gets lost. We become so obsessed with finding the ‘perfect’ outfits that we may end up with outfits that make some family members uncomfortable. That doesn’t mean everyone should wear a different color! Let’s meet in the middle. Let’s talk about all my tips for outfit planning!

Coordinating Colors Instead of Matching For Outdoor Fall Family Photos

My first tip is to find outfits that coordinate rather than match entirely. Focus on a few primary colors in your main outfit, whether a pattern or simply complementing colors. A color scheme will allow you to find clothing that complements each family member personally while showing off their unique personality and style. This will simplify your planning, and you may even find things that will work in your closet. Remember the importance of finding clothing that encourages everyone in your family to feel their best. When that happens, the pictures will be so much better!

Don’t Shy Away From Patterns

Patterned clothing items can be a great way to plan outdoor fall family photo outfits. They provide an excellent base for planning the rest of your outfits while giving you lots of color options to coordinate with. Don’t shy away from a pattern or floral. They can add great dimension to photos! However, try to avoid having more than one person wear a pattern for photos; it can quickly become busy. A pattern can be a simple texture on a sweater, a subtle print, or a floral dress! If you are out shopping and fall in love with a floral or pattern, run with it!

When in Doubt, Stick to the Neutrals

Lastly, and arguably most importantly, stick to neutrals for your family outfits. Neutrals always photograph well, and when pictures are taken outdoors, they complement the Colorado scenery so well. Neutral and earth tones are classic and elegant and will forever be in style. The most critical part of these photos is you and your sweet family, and wearing bold colors could take away from their lovely faces and the epic location.

Hopefully, these tips help make planning your outdoor fall family photos outfits that much easier! If you’re looking for the perfect Denver family photographers, reach out today!!