Fall foliage provides a beautiful backdrop for portraits, and the colours peak for such a short time — so it’s no wonder autumn is the most popular time for family photos. If you’re planning a family photoshoot this fall, make the most of it by wearing an outfit that fits the occasion (hint: some clothing that looks great in other contexts won’t work for fall photos). Here are some tips:

Dress comfortably: Family photos often involve some hiking to a location, games, hoisting up kids, and kneeling to a child’s level. It’s important that you can move freely. If you’ll be wearing a dress or skirt, choose something long and full.

Wear colours compatible with fall foliage: You can’t go wrong with earth tones and neutrals. These will be harmonious with the fall colours without competing. Think earthy greens, browns, rust, and beige. If instead, you want to pick up on the fall tones, go for toned down versions (i.e., deep red vs fire engine red, and mustard yellow instead of canary yellow). You can also choose colours that complement the red, orange, and yellow tones of fall colours. Blue is always a good choice, particularly navy and dark denim. Deep purple and plum can look amazing next to orange and yellow, but avoid pinks or pastels.

Avoid busy patterns: I repeat this a lot in my client emails and session prep guides, but it’s SO important. Busy patterns not only look distracting but they can cause something called moiré, a strobing effect that is seen on screen. Avoid pinstripes, polka dots, checks, or any other repeating pattern. Ribbed fabric can cause this problem as well.

Taking all of this into consideration, I’ve put together a list of my top outfit ideas for moms.

For each outfit idea, I’ve spent hours scouring the internet for the most photo-worthy finds. If you like a certain look, make sure to click the buttons below the photo to see my curated collections.

1) Long sleeve dress

If you like to keep things simple, a long-sleeved dress is the perfect choice for a fall photoshoot. No need to layer this outfit or match tops and bottoms — one and done! Throw on a pair of nice fall boots or loafers, and you're good to go. Opt for a midi or maxi dress with a full skirt for lots of movement and drama.

2) Long skirt with a sweater

There's something fun about a long, flouncy skirt. We've go so many options, from denim to wool to linen — and paired with a cozy sweater, you can create some visually interesting combinations of colours and textures. Or, for a chic and streamlined look, wear a matching set like the outfit below.

3) Long dress with a denim jacket

I adore denim jackets for fall. Not only does denim look good on everyone, but it matches just about everything. Plus the structured shape and stiff material contrast beautifully with a long, flowy dress or skirt. Maybe you can even get some more wear out of a summer dress that would be too chilly on its own. Check out my favourite long dresses and long skirts for fall photos.

4) Long cardigan with leggings

Is there anything cozier than a long, soft cardigan? It's basically like wearing a blanket. Paired with leggings and a fitted shirt, a long cardigan also super flattering. This option gives you that long, flowy fabric without wearing a dress.

5) Pullover sweater with pants

Want to keep it casual? No problem. Pair a cozy, relaxed sweater with a nice fitted pair of jeans or trousers.