What to Wear for Fall photos

Happy family walking outdoors in Bellevue with toddler Fall fashion guide for portraits

WHAT TO WEAR FOR FALL PHOTOS: TOP TIPS

Fall is utterly gorgeous in the Pacific Northwest, so it should come as no surprise that autumn is one of the most popular times for outdoor portraits in the Seattle area. Who doesn’t love a cozy family photo with colorful trees in the background? If you’re planning to take advantage of the fall season, use these tips to plan the perfect fall photo wardrobe.

Choose a Fall-Appropriate Main Color and Accent with Neutrals

Little Girls sitting on stairs family Portrait smiling children

Rich colors are great for fall! Oranges, pinks, earth tones in rich textures like leather or knits are great compliments to the changing leaves!

Of course, before any family photo session, you have to figure out what to wear. There’s plenty of general style advice I give my clients, like choosing a color palette to coordinate the family’s outfits, avoiding clothing with writing or large logos, and wearing what makes you feel comfortable. So, what should you wear for a summer photo session? Here are my favorite items for summer family photos.

A lot of people feel overwhelmed with the idea of designing their photo session wardrobe. While I’m happy to help with my own expertise and with a specialized tool I offer my clients, rest assured that it isn’t as complicated as you might think! Your color scheme can be as simple as choosing one bold, fall-appropriate main color. In the fall, you want a rich but earthy color or jewel tones - some of my favorites are burnt orange, burgundy, or emerald green. You can then accent them with neutrals like tan, cream, gray, or brown. Pure white and pure black can look overly harsh in fall photos.

Embrace the Magic of Layers

Layers are fantastic for portraits because they add some texture and dimension to your photos. During the fall, you can play with layers like scarves, wraps, cardigans, and jackets. If you have a variety of layers that could go with your outfits, feel free to bring them all to your session and I’ll be able to advise you about which ones will look best on camera.

Go Basic and Beautiful

It can be fun to get creative with your wardrobe, but when it comes to a photo session, keep it on the simpler side. Stick to either solid colors or small, basic prints. Larger or loud patterns will steal attention from your face and distract from the whole photo. The same goes for prominent logos on your clothing.

For a Flattering Shape, Choose Fit Over Color

We all want our physique to look its best in our photos, and yes, I know that black has a reputation for being form-flattering. As I noted above, though, black in fall photos can make your image look too heavy and serious - it doesn’t fit the warm and joyful mood of the photos very well.

what to wear Fall photos Bellevue outdoor portrait session Seattle Family photographer jaimie Birtel

Instead of the old go-to of black clothing, pay more attention to the cut of your clothes. Choose pieces that have a flattering fit - those that are cut in a way that emphasizes your best features and downplays the areas that make you feel self-conscious. You might be shocked by what a well-fitting outfit can do for your shape!

Planning Your Fall Photo Shoot

Don’t let this autumn go by without taking the time for a special photo session. The tips above can help you look your best and, more importantly, feel confident enough to relax and have a fantastic time in front of the camera. Book your session today with Jaimié Birtel Photography.

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What to Wear for a summer portrait session