What to Wear for Your Fall Portrait Session
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One of the questions I'm asked most often is, "What should we wear?"
The good news is that there's no single right answer.
Whether your portrait session is with your family, your children, your partner, your pet, or it's simply a celebration of this season in your own life, what you wear should feel like you. The goal isn't to wear matching outfits or follow the latest trend. It's to choose clothing that allows your relationships, personalities, and expressions to take center stage.
Here are a few tips to help you prepare for your Fall portrait session.
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Start With the End in Mind
Before you even think about colors or styles, think about where your finished portraits will live.
Will they hang above the fireplace? In your living room? Along a hallway? In your bedroom?
When you choose clothing that complements your home's colors and style, your finished artwork feels like it truly belongs in your space. Rather than competing with the room, it becomes part of it.
This is one of the reasons we talk about displaying your portraits before your session even takes place.
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Choose a Color Palette, Not Matching Outfits
The days of everyone wearing white shirts and blue jeans are behind us.
Instead, choose a simple color palette with three or four complementary colors.
I generally recommend:
- One or two primary colors
- One or two neutral colors such as cream, khaki, denim, gray, or soft white
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Fall in Maine brings rich greens, golden grasses, warm foliage, and earthy tones, so colors that complement the season without blending into the background tend to photograph beautifully, including:
- Deep navy
- Burgundy and wine
- Rust and terracotta
- Cream and warm neutrals
- Deep or muted greens
- Dusty blue
- Plum
- Soft, muted pinks
Rather than everyone wearing the same thing, let each person’s clothing complement one another while still reflecting their personality.
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Choose Cream Instead of Bright White
Our eyes are naturally drawn to the lightest thing in artwork.
That means a bright white shirt can become the first thing people notice instead of your face. We can't have that!
Whenever possible, choose cream, ivory, oatmeal, or other soft neutral tones instead. They create a warmer, more timeless look while keeping the attention where it belongs... on you.
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Patterns Should Support, Not Compete
Patterns can add interest and personality, but they shouldn't become the main subject of the portrait.
For adults, I recommend subtle patterns and textures over bold stripes or large prints. Heavy stripes, in particular, can be visually distracting and may even make clothing appear wider than it really is.
For children, you have a little more freedom. Florals, polka dots, playful stripes, and fun prints often fit their personalities beautifully.
In general, it's best to avoid clothing with large logos, graphics, or slogans unless they genuinely represent something meaningful to your family.
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Don’t Forget About Shoes and Socks
It’s easy to spend weeks choosing outfits and completely forget about footwear.
Fall sessions often mean walking through fields, leaves, wooded paths, or other outdoor areas, so choose shoes that look good with your outfit but are also comfortable and appropriate for the location.
And don’t forget about socks! Depending on how you’re sitting or moving, they may peek out between shoes and pants. Choose socks that coordinate with your outfit and won’t become an unexpected distraction.
It’s a small detail that can make a surprisingly big difference.
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A Few Minutes Can Eliminate Wrinkles
Wrinkles naturally catch light and can become distracting in a portrait.
If ironing isn't your favorite activity, try placing your clothing in the dryer for five to ten minutes with a damp washcloth before your session. It's a quick way to smooth most wrinkles without pulling out the ironing board.
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Comfort Creates Better Portraits
This may be the most important advice I can give.
Wear something that feels comfortable.
If you're constantly adjusting a shirt, pulling at a dress, worrying about a tight collar, or thinking about uncomfortable shoes, it shows.
When you feel comfortable, you naturally smile more, move more freely, and interact more genuinely with the people around you. Those authentic moments are what create meaningful portraits.
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A Few Tips for Everyone
Moms
- Layers and soft textures photograph beautifully.
- Flowing tops and dresses often create graceful movement.
- Keep jewelry simple so it complements rather than competes.
- Since hands are often featured while holding children, hugging, or interacting with family, consider taking a moment to tidy your nails before your session.
Dads
Keep it simple.
A comfortable pair of jeans with a quality t-shirt, sweater, polo, or button-down shirt usually photographs wonderfully. Choose something you can comfortably move, sit, and play in.
Children
Children are often the perfect place to introduce a little extra color or personality into your overall wardrobe.
Whether that's fun shoes, colorful socks, or playful patterns, don't be afraid to let kids look like kids.
Babies
Consider bringing a few special items that help tell your family's story.
Some favorites include:
- A favorite blanket
- A special outfit
- Headbands or hats
- Wraps
- A meaningful toy
- Simple onesies
- Diaper covers
For parents planning a few portraits with baby wearing only a diaper cover or wrap, a long-sleeve dark solid-colored shirt photographs beautifully while holding your little one.
Grandparents
Grandparents almost always arrive beautifully dressed.
The one detail I recommend checking is footwear. Since grandparents are often seated during part of the session, socks and shoes may become more noticeable than expected.
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Remember, These Are Guidelines
The best outfit isn't necessarily the one that photographs perfectly.
It's the one that feels authentic to you.
Whether you're dressing up or keeping things casual, choose clothing that reflects your personality and allows you to relax, connect, and simply enjoy being together.
Years from now, you'll remember how this season of life felt far more than whether your shirt had the perfect shade of blue.
If you're still unsure what to wear, don't worry. During your discovery call, we'll talk through your ideas together, and I'm always happy to help coordinate outfits before your portrait session.
For even more inspiration, be sure to explore my Pinterest boards, where you'll find clothing ideas, color palettes, and outfit combinations for a variety of portrait sessions.
Planning Fall Family Photos in Maine?
Learn more about the complete family portrait experience at Sharyn Peavey Photography—from planning your session and what to wear to creating meaningful artwork for your home.
Explore Family Portraits
Sharyn Peavey Photography is a portrait photography studio located at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, Maine, serving families throughout Central and Southern Maine. Sharyn specializes in meaningful portrait experiences for families, high school seniors, pets, and professionals, creating photographic artwork that celebrates the people and relationships that matter most.
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