Fall is in full swing here in Iowa! We like to take advantage of the nice temperatures and muted colors for our yearly family photos. Outfits for family photos can sometimes be difficult to choose so today I’m sharing my top 10 tips for choosing outfits for family pictures.

I know some people dread family photos. Good photographers can be expensive. You have to cross your fingers that there’s some kind of lunar pull during your scheduled hour to ensure everyone is in a good mood, the weather cooperates and you’re having a good hair day. You also have to make sure everyone has on clothes. Preferably coordinating and clean. Yet also comfortable. This is no small feat. The memories captured, however, will be 100% worth it.

Pick a great photographer

I’m so happy to have found Molly Timmerman Photography for our family photos. If you’re located in the Quad Cities, I’ve done your research for you! Her schedule does fill up quickly so book early (But don’t take my spot. I kid. Not really.)

I think Molly could probably make us look great in sweatpants but part of her package includes access to an online styling site that helps you find outfits and coordinate them. I browsed this for some outfit ideas for Nate and Clark.

Choose Your Outfit First

Choose what you want to wear first and then build the rest of the family’s wardrobe off of that. I feel this is kind of like “pick your rug before your paint color”. Mom is usually the most picky about her outfit (it me!) so it’s much easier to match everyone else. I tend to shoot for a look slightly more elevated than my everyday look.

I personally think women photograph best in dresses. I wear dresses often so it’s an easy choice for me but I also know that dresses aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. If you skip the dress try to incorporate clothing with movement (scarves) or different textures (chunky cardigans).

Poll Your Friends/Followers

I often annoy my favorite people with outfit questions and family photos are no exception. It’s part of the package of being my friend.

I also like to take polls with my Instagram followers. Sometimes this can be dangerous but always fun.

Pick a color scheme

I like my family coordinating but not too matchy-matchy. Do you all remember the white tee/jeans photos of the late 90s/early 2000s? Aww, memories. Let’s not bring that back. Please. I beg you. I typically choose one family member to wear a simple pattern (nothing large or bold) and then 2-3 different colors for our color scheme. I like to mix in patterns with solids for some balance. If you go with all solids, make sure you have some different textures.

Avoid super bold patterns. You want to look at the picture and notice your cute faces, not the neon jumpsuit Mom is rocking (hopefully vetoed by Mom’s friend if she is following my tips) or Dad’s Hawaiian shirt.

For this year’s color scheme, I choose my dress and then pulled colors from it for everyone else. You can also check out my Pinterest board full of color scheme and outfit inspiration!

Comfort is Key!

Dress your family in something you’re all comfortable in! The more comfortable you are, the more comfortable you’ll look in your photos.

Dress for the Location/Weather

If we’re planning to romp around in a field, closed-toed shoes are best. I had considered sandals with this dress but traipsing through the prairie in open-toes shoes didn’t sound like my smartest move. (Side note, I often wonder if these prairie type photo shoots are going to be our kids’ generation equivalent to Sear’s Portrait Studio. I’m glad I’m not letting my kids down!)

Fall in Iowa makes choosing weather appropriate clothing tricky. I’m going to admit I had these outfits picked out for our early September shoot. September ended up being extremely hot. That lunar pull I mentioned before landed us a 65 degree night (sadly no golden hour sun) so the family didn’t sweat to death. I probably would have switched Nate and Clark to short sleeve henleys if it was warmer.

Dress the Baby at Arrival

Margo is the queen of blowouts during the most inopportune times so she doesn’t get dress clothes until we arrive at our destination. Save snacks and beverages for after the photo shoot. DO make sure everyone has a full belly though. Hangry isn’t cute! But this face sure is!

Have Fun!

While I do feel that outfits play an important role in great family photos, remember to relax and enjoy the time with your family. I mean, outfits are cute but I NEVER want to forget this cheesy smile and those baby thighs!