Family
Family Photo Ideas: Tips for Outfits and Photos
It’s always a good time for family photos, but fall is the perfect time of year for family photo shoots. Temperatures are usually cool but not too cold and a warm autumn color palette always makes for the perfect backdrop. It’s also a great time to start thinking about photos for a holiday card. Add in the most beautiful natural light during “golden hour” and you have a recipe for the most beautiful photos. I always underestimate how overwhelming coordinating family can be. Add in getting young children to cooperate, and family photo sessions can feel really stressful. Whether you’re aiming for candid shots or more of a structured and traditional portrait, here are some family photo ideas for everything from photos to outfits.
Family Photo Ideas: Tips for Outfits and Photos
Family photos are always a great idea. If you’re looking for family photo ideas for your next shoot, the most important thing, in my opinion, is a great photographer. But you’ll want to consider location, outfits, and time of day, too. Choose a beautiful or special place that you love, whether it’s your yard, a local park or gardens, or your living room. Have something fun for the kids to do, and select outfits that complement each other. And don’t forget about your pets – they’re part of the family, too!
Family Photo Outfit Ideas
Choose a Professional Photographer
If you’re hiring a photographer, look for a family photographer with a beautiful portfolio that reflects the style of photography you’re looking for. A family photographer will know how to engage the whole family. My friend Katie Kett has photographed every special occasion throughout our relationship, from our wedding to newborn photos, and fall family photos. Katie called me to go over ideas for our family portrait session. We talked about a few ideas, from board games, to a picnic, and even baking.
A good photographer will capture candid moments, and beautiful family photos that you’ll treasure forever. Katie is great with young kids, and always comes up with fun and creative ways to make the entire family happy and comfortable.
Choose a Time and Location
Fall light is beautiful, and it’s a great time of year for an outdoor photoshoot. The golden hour, which is the hour right after sunrise or the hour or two just before sunset is the best time to shoot. You’ll get the best light during those hours, but want to consider the best time for younger family members, too. Attempting to get everyone ready an hour after sunrise sounds too stressful for me. I prefer afternoon since it’s a great time of day for small children who might have a midday nap, and I have the day to prepare.
Weather doesn’t always cooperate, so have a few different locations in mind. I like to plan something outside with the hope that we’ll have nice weather, and an indoor location as a backup.
Coordinate Outfits Without Matching
As someone who loves fashion, choosing outfits for fall family pictures is always the hardest part for me. I’m not sure why, but I always overthink and feel stuck. And it always works out in the end. I prefer when outfits coordinate but don’t match. It’s a good idea to stick with a color palette, like blues and greens, or deeper, fall tones. I tend to stay away from bright colors, but did choose a bright (ish) blue dress for my little girl this year.
Family Photo Outfit Ideas
Choose a Color Palette: A warm, autumn-inspired palette is perfect for fall. You could also put everyone in neutral colors, or do what I did and put everyone in various shades of blue. Pick three to four colors or shades and mix them into each family member’s outfit.
Layers and Textures: Layers add depth and variety to photos. Think cozy sweaters, jackets, knits, and corduroy. We were given an unseasonably warm day, so we skipped layers but did mix knits and corduroy pants and dresses, and I love how our outfits looked together. Textures like wool and denim are great, too.
Avoid Loud Patterns: Stick to subtle patterns or keep patterns minimal. I like to bring in a print or two, but keep everyone else in solid colors. Patterns can be really distracting, and I recommend avoiding stripes altogether since they don’t always photograph well.
Don’t Forget Comfort: If kids (or adults) are uncomfortable, it will show in the photos. Make sure everyone’s dressed warmly enough for the weather and can move comfortably. My kids ended up changing into their crocs and helmets toward the end, and our photographer got some great photos of them playing.
Family Photoshoot Ideas: Props and Activities
Don’t worry – I’m not going to ask you to pose with pumpkins, apples, or letter boards. But a prop or two can make things fun, and never underestimate the power (and fun) of throwing leaves over your kids’ heads. I love a mix of staged and fun family photos. Laughing, playing, or doing an activity together is the perfect way to capture your family. So whether you’re booking a fall family session or cozy, winter newborn photos with the whole family, there are lots of ways to get amazing pictures that feel like you.
Blankets: A cozy blanket can serve as both a prop and a place to sit on. The whole family can sit together and play a game or have a picnic.
Bring a Favorite Activity: We pulled out some bubbles and they were honestly perfect. Our photographer got the best and most magical photos of the kids blowing (and popping) bubbles.
Day in the Life: Try capturing some of your favorite moments throughout the day. From bath time to reading books, or fun and playful parts of your daily routine, it’s always so fun and special to have these moments captured.
Have a Picnic: We planned a pizza picnic for the end of the shoot, and it was kind of a mess since the pizza was 30 minutes late, but it made for a few sweet photos and an easy dinner.
I love getting family photos each year. I always immediately print and frame them in our family room and bedroom. And each year, these photos always make their way into our annual family album. A photographer is an expense, but is, in my opinion, well worth it and worth splurging on. these are photos and memories I’ll treasure forever.
