What to Wear for Fall Photos

Do you know what to wear for the best Fall photos? If you’ve landed on this post, I’m going to assume that you’re feeling a little overwhelmed when it comes to this particular topic. Whether you’ve planned family photos in the park, an engagement session at the pumpkin patch, or maybe just want an updated head shot for your Facebook profile (I feel you, girl), you have the date on your calendar and as it creeps closer, the idea of choosing an outfit feels daunting. I totally get it. When you invest time and hard earned cash into photos that will last a lifetime, you want them turn out great.

So, to help you accomplish just that I wanted to share a few tips and tricks for looking your best in Fall photos!

First, choose a soft, neutral color palette for your outfit. Because this season in particular tends to be filled with beautiful, vibrant colors already, you don’t want to wear something that is going to clash or take away from that. Avoid ultra-trendy pieces or patterns; while they may seem like a good idea now, when you look back at these photos a few years down the road, you don’t want to say, “what was I thinking?” Solid, neutral colors are timeless and compliment any skin tone and hair color in photos. White, cream, beige, and blush pink are my favorites for achieving the soft, classic look.

My next tip is to go with the feel of the season and mood. Since Fall is traditionally labeled as cozy and laid back, I always lean toward the more casual and comfortable fabrics (like this over-sized sweater). Of course, this also depends on what type of Fall photos you are taking (ex. formal engagement portraits, in-home session, family photos at the park). Consider the location at which you will be shooting and how you would typically dress in a setting like that. If you are at home by the fireplace, a cozy sweater and leggings would do the trick, as opposed to a historic monument in DC when you might opt for something like a cocktail dress and light shawl.

For the pumpkin patch, I went with a cozy white sweater, neutral plaid skirt, and my delicate initial necklace. For shoes, I paired this look with tan booties that had a thick, practical heel for walking around in.

Finding the right fit is key. Stay away from anything that feels stiff or doesn’t sit quite right in order to avoid looking uncomfortable in photos. Nothing is worse than pulling down on your skirt or adjusting your top after every pose to make sure that the camera isn’t capturing more than it should. If you don’t have a good seamstress in your life, I definitely recommend making this a priority ASAP. Having clothing that fits perfectly is a huge confidence booster and can make a $20 dress feel like a million bucks.

Bottom line: if you wouldn’t wear it for at least a few hours in your everyday life, it probably isn’t your best bet for taking photos in.

Opt for simple, delicate jewelry. The fist-sized hoops, chunky necklaces, and stacks of colorful bracelets don’t always translate well in photos. Unless you are planning a fashion-forward shoot, my advice is to err on the side of caution. Keep your jewelry to a minimum so it doesn’t take away from the subject(s) of the photos or the beautiful Fall scenery. Also - please, please remember to remove hair ties from your wrists for photos (this is one of my pet-peeves because it is so distracting).

Now, I know when you think of “what to wear”, you aren’t typically considering beauty. However, I felt inclined to sneak this tip in at the end because one of the biggest mistakes I’ve made in the past when getting photos taken is going overboard with hair and makeup. I’m not saying that you should roll out of bed and skip your shower on the morning of. By all means, take your time and do your hair and makeup the way you feel most comfortable. Remember though when it comes to beauty, simplicity is the way to go.

After all, you want to look like yourself in these photos (because you are beautiful, obviously). I highly recommend sticking to neutral-colored eye shadow and liner, a nude or pink lip, and wispy lashes. For hair, unless it is a super formal shoot, I recommend loose curls with your hair down, or a simple blow-out.

Shop this post:

Spray tan by Two Bronzed Babes, Photography by Jade Nikkole Photography

Hopefully these 5 quick tips helped boost your confidence in tackling what to wear for Fall photos. I would love to see how your photos turn out this season; tag me in your favorites on Instagram or Facebook!

Want more Fall fashion inspiration? Read 5 Questions to Ask Yourself when Shopping for a New Season and Dressing up Distressed Denim.

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xo Anna Elizabeth