Dressing for St. Louis Fall Family Portraits

Fall family portraits in St. Louis mean beautiful color and unpredictable weather, sometimes seventy degrees, sometimes forty, often both in the same week. Here’s how to dress so the photos hold up regardless.

Layer, don’t match. Matching outfits read flat in photos. Instead, pick two or three colors from the same family, deep reds, rust, olive, navy, cream, and let each person wear a different combination. It looks coordinated without looking like a uniform.

Avoid busy patterns. Small prints, logos, and loud patterns pull the eye away from faces. Solid colors and simple textures photograph better and age better too, you won’t look back in ten years and wince at a trendy print.

Bring a layer you can remove. A jacket or cardigan gives you options as the light and temperature shift through the session. Some of the best fall light happens right as the temperature’s dropping, so dress for both.

Watch your footwear. If we’re walking through a park or a field, boots or comfortable shoes matter more than the outfit itself. Nobody photographs well while wincing through gravel in heels.

Consider the location’s colors. Forest Park in October is orange, gold, deep green. Wearing colors that complement rather than compete with the season makes the whole gallery feel cohesive instead of fighting the background.

Kids should be comfortable, not just cute. A scratchy sweater or stiff shoes will show up as a cranky kid in every photo. Comfort first, always, especially for the littlest ones.

If you’re not sure what to wear, send me a photo of what you’re considering before the session. Five minutes of feedback beats finding out it didn’t work once we’re already at the location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should everyone in a family portrait match?

No, matching outfits tend to look flat in photos. Coordinating colors from the same palette works better than identical outfits.

What should kids wear for fall family portraits?

Comfortable clothing over strictly cute clothing. Scratchy or stiff outfits usually show up as a cranky kid by the middle of the session.

Can I get outfit feedback before the session?

Yes. Sending a photo of what you’re considering ahead of time is easy and saves finding out something didn’t work once you’re already at the location.