What in the world are we all going to wear?!

Fall family photos are some of my favorites! The beautiful fall colors, cozy layers, and the little moments between parents and their kids make this time of year so special. But before we get to the fun part, there’s usually one question on every mom’s mind:

First of all, you’re not the first person to stress about this, but I don’t want you to stress! Choosing outfits for the whole family can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to coordinate multiple people, different ages, and everyone’s personal style.

The good news? It doesn’t have to be complicated. I’m sharing my favorite fall color palettes, outfit ideas, and tips for dressing your family for fall photos here in the Tri-Cities, Washington, so you can spend less time worrying about clothes and more time looking forward to your session.

Start With Mom’s Outfit First

If you take one piece of advice from this entire post, let it be this: Start with your outfit first. Find something that makes you look in the mirror and think, “I feel beautiful in this!” Maybe it’s a flowy dress, a fun top paired with your favorite jeans, or something you already have hanging in your closet.

Whatever it is, make sure you feel comfortable and confident wearing it. You’ll be moving around, sitting on the ground, holding little ones, and probably giving out a few piggyback rides. You want to be able to do all those things without constantly adjusting your clothes or worrying about how they look. Once you’ve found your outfit, use it as the starting point for everyone else’s. Pull colors from your dress or top and look for complementary shades for your partner and kids.

And please, don’t settle for an outfit you don’t love just because it looks good on everyone else. I want you to look at your finished gallery and genuinely love how you look in your photos, too!

My Favorite Fall Colors for Family Photos

When it comes to fall family photos in the Tri-Cities, I love colors that complement the season without competing with it. Think warm, earthy tones, soft neutrals, and colors that feel natural against the golden grasses and beautiful fall-colored trees.

Here are a few of my favorite colors to work with:

• Cream and warm ivory: Soft, neutral, and easy to coordinate with almost anything.
• Rusty red and burnt orange: Perfect for adding a little warmth and that classic fall feeling.
• Soft sage and olive green: Earthy, understated, and beautiful against fall foliage.
• Deep golden yellow and mustard: A little pop of color without feeling too bold.
• Khaki and warm tan: Great neutrals for pants, sweaters, and layering pieces.

How to Coordinate Everyone Without Looking Too Matchy-Matchy

We’re going for coordinated, not identical! I love when each family member has a little personality in their outfit.

Start with your color palette, then mix things up with different textures, patterns, and silhouettes. Think a chunky knit sweater with a flowy dress, corduroy pants with a soft cotton top, or a subtle floral print paired with a solid-colored sweater.

Here’s how I’d style a family of five:

• Mom: A mustard-yellow flowy dress.
• Dad: A deep navy button-up with khaki pants.
• Daughter: An olive green and cream patterned dress.
• Baby: A cream romper with subtle coordinating stripes.
• Son: A casual gray striped T-shirt with jeans.

Everyone looks like they belong together, but nobody looks like they’re wearing a uniform!

Don’t be afraid to let your kids show a little personality, either. Does little sis have a chunky beaded bracelet she absolutely wants to wear? Let’s do it! Those little details are part of who she is right now.ily.

Where I Love Shopping for Family Photo Outfits

You absolutely do not need to buy a brand-new wardrobe for your family photos!

I love thrifting and finding secondhand pieces, especially when I can find brands I already love. Some of my favorites include Jamie Kay, Alice & Ames, Old Navy, Levi’s, H&M, Zara, Loft, and Madewell.

I always look for pieces that will be worn and loved long after the session. A dress that becomes your favorite fall outfit or a sweater your little one wears all season is much more worthwhile than buying something just for one afternoon.

Start by looking through your own closets. You might already have the perfect pieces! Then fill in any gaps with a few coordinating items rather than purchasing an entirely new set of outfits.

If you’re looking for inspiration for the whole family, check out Styled by Wi on Instagram. She shares some of the best family outfit ideas, and it’s a great place to start if you’re feeling stuck.

Don’t Forget About the Tri-Cities Fall Weather!

Fall in the Tri-Cities can be a little unpredictable, which is something to keep in mind when planning your family session.

Typically, we can still have temperatures in the upper 60s and low 70s through the middle of October. Around the third week of October, temperatures tend to drop, the wind can pick up, and we may get a little rain.

If you’re hoping for those beautiful, mild fall evenings, the first two weeks of October are usually my favorite time to plan outdoor fall family photos.

Of course, Washington weather doesn’t always follow the calendar, so it’s worth being prepared for a change in temperature.

A Few Tips for Getting Kids Ready for Family Photos

As a mom, I know that getting everyone out the door looking presentable can sometimes feel like a whole event in itself.

Here’s the thing I want you to remember: Your session doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. Your toddler might refuse to smile. Your baby might need a snack. Someone might get dirt on their clothes five minutes before we start. That’s okay!

There are a few things you can do to help your session go a little more smoothly:

Make sure everyone has eaten. Hungry kids aren’t usually at their most cooperative, so a good meal or snack before your session can make a big difference.

Try to work around naps. If your little one is overdue for a nap, the session may be harder for everyone. When possible, plan your session around your children’s usual sleep schedules.

Bring comfort items. Please let your kids bring their beloved stuffy or raggedy blanket if it helps them feel comfortable. Those items can make the sweetest photos, too. Someday, you might look back and realize that little blanket was part of their childhood just as much as the toys they played with every day.

Let your kids be kids. We don’t need every photo to be everyone standing perfectly still and smiling at the camera. I love catching the little moments, the playful interactions, and the way your kids naturally connect with you.

My photography style is simple, loving, and playful. I’m there to capture your family as you are, including all those little moments that make this season of life yours.

What Happens During Your Family Session?

If the thought of getting in front of the camera makes you nervous, you’re not alone!

You don’t need to know how to pose, and your kids don’t need to be perfectly behaved. I’ll help guide you along the way, and we’ll make room for the natural moments, too.

Sometimes, that means asking everyone to say something silly.

Two of my favorites?

“Everyone say, ‘I love you, Mom!!'”

And, “Dad, you’re SO strong!”

These always get lots of cute smiles and giggles. It’s a simple way to get everyone interacting instead of worrying about whether they’re smiling the right way.

Some of my favorite photographs come from those in-between moments: a child snuggling into Mom, a little hand reaching for Dad, or everyone laughing at something completely unexpected.

That’s what I want for your gallery. I want you to look through your photos and think, “I love these.”

And I hope you love them enough to print them, frame them, display them in your home, or tuck them into a photo album that your family will pull out for years to come.

What If Outdoor Fall Photos Aren’t Your Thing?

While I love photographing families outside during the fall, an outdoor session isn’t the only option!

If you’d rather skip the chilly weather, unpredictable wind, or the stress of getting everyone dressed up and out the door, we can plan a cozy in-home family session instead.

There’s something really special about photographing your family in the place where your everyday life happens. Your kids can play with their favorite toys, snuggle on the couch, and simply be themselves in the spaces they know best.

You don’t need a perfectly styled home, either. The focus is on your family and the way you connect with one another.

Whether we meet outdoors among the fall colors or spend time together at home, my goal is the same: to create photographs that feel like your family and help you remember this season of life.

Ready to Plan Your Fall Family Photos in the Tri-Cities?

If you’ve been thinking about booking fall family photos, let’s make a plan!

For outdoor sessions, I recommend aiming for the first two weeks of October when temperatures are typically milder. If you’re reading this later in the season, don’t worry we can talk through the weather and decide whether an outdoor or in-home session makes the most sense.

And please remember, you don’t have to have everything figured out before you book. We can talk about outfits, choose a location, and make a plan that works for your family.

I’m Josie, the photographer behind Josie & Co Photography, and I photograph families throughout the Tri-Cities, Washington, area. I love capturing the simple, loving, playful moments that make your family uniquely yours.

Ready to plan your family session? Reach out to Josie & Co Photography and let’s start planning photos you’ll love seeing on your walls and in your family albums.

I can’t wait to meet you and your crew!