10 Best Color Combinations for Fall Family Photo Outfits

Why Choosing the Right Colors Matters for Fall Family Photos?

Family photos can be so much fun…as long as everyone looks good, that is. Taking family photos in the fall makes everything so much easier, because there is a hue for everyone.

Whether you are more of a red, orange or yellow, fall provides a backdrop that meshes well with every person’s complexion.

Choosing the right colors for family portraits not only ensure that all members feel and look their best, but also bring a beautiful harmony to the photos. That cohesive and polished look…loading.

Fall weather also provides the most beautiful natural backdrops. The leaves are changing colors, apple orchards are in full bloom, pumpkin patches are plentiful. Here, we will explore color combinations and style tips for all family members.

Whether you prefer earth tones or monochromatic looks, there is a little something here that will make everything fall (wink, wink) into place.

In This Post:

• Warm Earth Tones: The Quintessential Fall Look

• Neutral Shades with Pops of Color

• Deep Jewel Tones: A Rich, Elegant Option

• Monochromatic Looks for a Sleek, Modern Vibe

• Soft Pastels for a Gentle, Romantic Fall Look

• Plaid and Patterns: Mixing Patterns without Overwhelming

• Dark and Moody Hues for a Dramatic Fall Aesthetic

• Complementary Color Combos for Large Families

• Matching Accessories: Scarves, Hats, and Shoes to Tie It All Together

• Final Tips for Pulling Off the Perfect Fall Family Photos

Warm Earth Tones: The Quintessential Fall Look

Colors: Rust, Burnt Orange, Mustard Yellow, Olive Green, and Brown

Nothing channels the fall quite like an earthy hue. It’s giving green, blue, brown, orange, red. Warm tones, rust, mustard yellow and olive green are perfect for family photos against the changing leaves. I love these colors because they blend effortlessly, creating a cozy, natural vibe.

Style Tips:

Photo by Kevin Cramer

For mom, opt for a sweater dress or knit cardigan. Perhaps a mustard yellow to embody the warm, inviting energy moms possess. For dad, a flannel shirt in rust or olive green paired with dark jeans will compliment moms knit for the classic autumn outfit.

Tie in cute boots and earthy-toned accessories such as scares for added personality and warmth for the kiddos and boom, you have the quintessential fall look. 

Photo Tip! Warm earth tones blend perfectly with autumn, blending fall foliage with your accessible wardrobe. 

 Neutral Shades with Pops of Color

Colors: Beige, Cream, Gray, with accents of Burgundy or Forest Green

Do you come from a family who prefers a minimalist yet striking look? Do you pair neutral shares with subtle pops of color to create a sophisticated aesthetic? Neutral tones that provide a clean palette, while accents in burgundy or forest green add seasonal richness? If this sounds like you, this is the section for you.

Photo by Annie Mueller

In order to pull off this vibe, you need to be perfectly coordinated. Let’s start with mom. Grab your closet’s cream sweater and pair it with a burgundy scarf for added warmth and color.

Dad needs to compliment mom, so dads reach for beige trousers with a first green shirt to create a more understated, cohesive look. Kids are automatically a pop of color, just spend a few seconds with them.

To harness this energy, dress kids in beige sweaters with small, colorful accents, could be hats or shoes, anything that adds a playful touch without overwhelming the photo.

Photo tip! Neutral tones complement fall landscapes. This allows your family to pop subtly while blending with the natural background.

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Deep Jewel Tones: A Rich, Elegant Option

Colors: Deep Purple, Emerald Green, Ruby Red, and Sapphire Blue

Elegance. Formality. Rich colors contrast beautifully against fall’s golden hues, making your family the focal point of the shot.

To master the elegant, rich option, mom would look best in a flowing dress. Perhaps emerald green or deep purple to emphasize that level of sophistication and a pop of color.

Photo by Oakley Originals on Flickr

Dad should don a ruby red sweater or sapphire blue shirt to provide hues that complement the jewel-toned theme. Kids shine, so it is necessary to dress them accordingly. For girls, a jewel-toned dress to match mom and for boy a dee-toned sweater to match dad and bring a cohesive look to the family.

Photo tip! Jewel tones pop against fall leaves, casting a stunning flow on the family and creating an air of elegance in each shot.

Monochromatic Looks for a Sleek, Modern Vibe

Colors: Shades of the same color (e.g., all shades of brown or gray)

My greatest fear when I was younger was being put in identical outfits to my sisters. Here, I will help you master the monochromatic outfit that creates a cohesive, sophisticated look without feeling too matchy. This is perfect for the families with a modern, minimalist aesthetic.

Photo by Kevin Cramer

Starting with mom, opt for a light tan sweater dress paired with darker brown accessories. Sticking with browns, have dad wear dark brown pants and a medium brown shirt for a sleek look.

The medium brown must be lighter than the dark brown. For the kids, dress each child in a different shade of the same color, perhaps a light beige, medium brown, dark tan, etc., for a coordinated, variant effect.

Photo tip! Monochromatic looks provide the perfect sophisticated look, especially striking in urban or rustic fall settings.

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Soft Pastels for a Gentle, Romantic Fall Look

Colors: Dusty Pink, Soft Blue, Lavender, Sage Green

When you think of pastel, I guarantee your first thought is not fall. However, they can work beautifully, especially in early autumn. Pastels offer a soft, comforting contrast to bold autumn landscapes. 

Photo by Donnie Ray Jones

To master soft pastels for a gentle, romantic fall look without channeling easter eggs, mom should wear a dusty pink sweater paired with soft blue jeans, creating a light airy look.

Dad will complement perfectly in a sage green shift with light brown pants. It’s giving tree but in the best way. For the kids, lavender or a light blue sweater adds the sweetest touch.

Photo Tip! Pastels provide a light, romantic feel juxtaposed against the rich colors of autumn; this is ideal for capturing soft, intimate family moments.

 Plaid and Patterns: Mixing Patterns without Overwhelming

Colors: Classic fall plaids (red, green, brown), Stripes, Florals

Personally, mixing patterns is always overwhelming. However, we can navigate it together. Patterns can add depth and personality to family photos when used to the right amount. Different plaids are perfect when paired with solid colors to avoid the visual mess too many patterns can harness.

Photo by Gareth Williams

To channel this art, mom should wear a plaid blanket scarf with a solid-colored dress. This adds patterns without overwhelming the look. Dad will match nicely in a classic flannel shirt with dark jeans. Kids can tie in the look with plaid dresses or small-patterned shirts paired with solid pieces.

Photo tips! No matter what, use patterns sparingly. Let one family member shine, wearing a bolder pattern while others stick to solides. With patterns, less is always more.

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Dark and Moody Hues for a Dramatic Fall Aesthetic

Colors: Charcoal, Navy, Dark Plum, Deep Green

Dark and moody. Things teenagers and the fall have in common. All jokes aside, dark, moody tones create a dramatic yet sophisticated look, perfect for urban or indoor settings. Deeper colors offer depth and certain coziness to family photos, giving you something to remember.

Photo by Tom Caswell

Cue the dramaaaaaa. Just kidding. To make sure everything goes smoothly, mom should wear a dark plum sweater with charcoal pants. Dad will look perfectly polished in a navy blue shirt paired with deep green pants. For kids, a coordinated outfit will close out the cohesive, moody aesthetic.

Photo tip! Dark, moody hues contrast best with urban settings or lighter autumn landscapes, making your family THE standout feature.

Complementary Color Combos for Large Families

Colors: Mixes of complementary colors like Navy and Mustard, Burgundy and Forest Green

Coordinating a large family photo can be challenging. Work through everyone’s schedule, maybe even get everyone in the same state, but once they are there, what are they wearing? Complementary colors will be the solution every time you hit this problem, bringing a sense of unity without everyone looking identical.

Photo by Family Hodgson

Try a fun mix and match game with complementary colors. Or, have mom wear a rich warm burgundy dress, dad in a forest green shirt for that subtle contrast and kids in a mix of navy, mustard or any other color that completes the visual in your eyes. Make it easy or make it hard. Gamblers choice.

Photo tip! Complementary colors add a nice balance to large group photos.

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Matching Accessories: Scarves, Hats, and Shoes to Tie It All Together

Adding matching accessories instantly unifies a whole family’s look. The answer is not always identical outfits (sorry mom). Small, coordinated touches can make your family look polished and intentional without being too matchy matchy.

Photo by Loren Kerns

There is such a thing as too many accessories. I would know, once I tried (and failed) to wear 10 rings at the same time. Noting this, let me lead you through a quick accessory guide.

For scares, opt for complementary colors like mustard, burgundy or navy. For hats, knit beanies in matching colors add a fun, cozy touch. My personal favorite, shoes, or in this case neutral boots, create a unified look without taking too much attention away from the outfits.

Photo tip! Use accessories thoughtfully; it can make your photos look well-coordinated with making outfits overly uniform.

Final Tips for Pulling Off the Perfect Fall Family Photos

You’ve made it this far, so let’s run it back with my four favorite tips for last minute outfit coordination.

• Dress for the weather → layering is the key to warmth in fall. Layer well, keep everyone comfortable and looking good.
• Avoid logos or large graphics → large logos or graphics distract from the photo’s overall harmony. Opt instead for solid colors and patterns.
• Comfort is key → the easiest way to avoid a tantruming toddler is to make sure they are comfortable. Make sure kids are cozy in their outfits, so they feel happy and at ease in a foreign setting (in front of a camera)
• Coordinate in advance: lay out outfits the night before to ensure all colors and style complement the others well.

Professional Photographer Tip! Communicate your color vision with your photographer so they can position the light and shadows for the family and create the most optimal portrait.

Coordinating the Best Fall Family Photos Outfits

Photo by Donnie Ray Jones

Whether you come from an earthy tones, jewel shades, monochromatic, etc., family, fall offers the most stunning backdrop for creating timeless family memories. The color combinations we just went over are the perfect starting point.

But also, they are just that; a starting point. Go off, experiment, find the look that best encapsulates your family and makes them feel comfortable. After all, nothing is more important than capturing joyful moments will your loved ones, no matter what you’re wearing.

THAT’S A WRAP! THIS ARTICLE WAS ALL ABOUT  FALL FAMILY PHOTOS OUTFITS!

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