With it nearing fall time, I know many of you are asking: what should we wear for family pictures? Fall is undoubtedly the busiest time for me as a photographer. There is something so magical about capturing families in the fall. The cooler weather, the fall colors, and the upcoming holiday season make this time of year so fun! Today I’m excited to share my top picks of what to wear for women.

What to Wear for Family Pictures- How to Start

First, let’s talk about how to even start with picking outfits for family pictures.

  1. Pick your location FIRST. Is it green? Is it open desert? What colors are in the backdrop? Use your location to inspire you. When in doubt, choose neutrals. Blues, tans, whites, greys, and black typically look great in all different kinds of backdrops.
  2. Start with Mom’s outfit! No, this doesn’t make you selfish! While shopping or going through your closet, I want you to choose something you feel AMAZING AND COMFORTABLE in. Imagine sitting, standing, walking, bending over, etc. You can even have someone take a photo of you to make sure you like it! Then base the rest of the outfits off of yours
  3. Before choosing outfits, I would also take a look around at your home decor. Most likely you will be hanging these photos in your own home. Make sure the colors you choose to wear will compliment what you already have!
  4. Finally, ask yourself what season is it? If it’s winter, then I would maybe choose a darker palette. If summer, a light colored palette. Springtime may have soft colors while fall has some deeper shades.

Best Places to Shop for Family Pictures

There are sooo many great stores nowadays! Here are some of my favoritesfoor wome!

All of these stores are size inclusive. As a plus size woman myself I LOVE that!

What to Wear for Family Pictures- Women

Beyond the above tips, here are some of my other top tips for women:

  1. I HIGHLY suggest women to wear dresses in photos. I love a fitted top, with a flowy, non-form fitting lower half. Flutter or longer sleeves are usually a bonus too. These types of dresses are not only in style right now but are flattering for 99.9% of body types. I also love the movement a dress can provide in photos.
  2. My favorite length of dress for women to wear is midi. This means it will hit you below knee to mid calf. It will allow for plenty of coverage while also showing the most slender parts of your legs!
  3. If you are self conscious about your body, it’s okay. We all have things we struggle with. For instance, I don’t like showing a lot of arm in my photos. To combat this, I will choose a dress with longer, flowy sleeves or add a jacket on top.

Fall Color Palette Dresses

Mustard Yellow Dress: https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=738361012&cid=15292&pcid=15292&vid=1&nav=meganav%3AWomen+%26+Women%E2%80%99s+Plus%3AShop+Women%27s+Categories%3ADresses+&cpos=62&cexp=2223&kcid=CategoryIDs%3D15292&cvar=16849&ctype=Listing&cpid=res21081315597372704463718&modelSize=M#pdp-page-content

Burgundy Tiered Dress: https://roolee.com/products/miss-bliss-tiered-dress?variant=39372094308445

Olive Green Flowy Dress: https://www.target.com/p/women-s-balloon-long-sleeve-tiered-dress-universal-thread/-/A-82721829?preselect=82641856#lnk=sametab

Rust Flutter Sleeve Dress: https://balticborn.com/collections/new-arrivals/products/katya-ruffle-maxi-dress-rust

Soft Burgundy Floral Dress: https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=738322012&cid=10018&pcid=10018&vid=1&nav=meganav%3ANew+Arrivals%3A%3AWomen+%26+Women%27s+Plus&cpos=41&cexp=2223&kcid=CategoryIDs%3D10018&ctype=Listing&cpid=res21082011701731192274825&modelSize=M#pdp-page-content

Neutral Color Palette Dresses:

Denim Fit and Flare Dress: https://www.target.com/p/women-s-puff-elbow-sleeve-shirtdress-who-what-wear/-/A-82819173?preselect=82698348#lnk=sametab

Natural Maxi Dress: https://balticborn.com/collections/best-sellers/products/lydia-maxi-dress-in-natural

White Flowy Dress: https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=738361002&cid=15292&pcid=15292&vid=1&nav=meganav%3AWomen+%26+Women%E2%80%99s+Plus%3AShop+Women%27s+Categories%3ADresses+&cpos=62&cexp=2223&kcid=CategoryIDs%3D15292&cvar=16849&ctype=Listing&cpid=res21081315597372704463718&modelSize=M#pdp-page-content

Black Button Fit and Flare Dress: https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=742586002&cid=10018&pcid=10018&vid=1&nav=meganav%3ANew+Arrivals%3A%3AWomen+%26+Women%27s+Plus&cpos=61&cexp=2223&kcid=CategoryIDs%3D10018&ctype=Listing&cpid=res21082012629705420988474&modelSize=M#pdp-page-content

Don’t forget to Accessorize

Next, don’t skip on accessories! These can help tie in other colors in your family’s color palette. They also add a lot of visual interest. Seriously consider adding a necklace, some earrings, a hat, a jacket, cute booties…etc!

Classic Denim Jacket: https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=736443002&cid=55474&pcid=55474&vid=1&nav=meganav%3AWomen%20%26%20Women%E2%80%99s%20Plus%3AShop%20Women%27s%20Categories%3ACoats%20%26%20Jackets&cpos=4&cexp=2223&kcid=CategoryIDs%3D55474&ctype=Listing&cpid=res21082012527052478644555#pdp-page-content

Tan Denim Jacket: https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=736445002&cid=55474&pcid=55474&vid=1&nav=meganav%3AWomen%20%26%20Women%E2%80%99s%20Plus%3AShop%20Women%27s%20Categories%3ACoats%20%26%20Jackets&cpos=1&cexp=2223&kcid=CategoryIDs%3D55474&ctype=Listing&cpid=res21082012211413333756575#pdp-page-content

For hats, check out Target! There are a ton out right now!

I hope this helps! If you want some outfit inspo, check out some of my favorite family sessions:

The Kunz Family

The Caywood Family

The Naylor Family