Fall is my favorite season for photos. The light gets softer, the colors warm up, and there’s something about this time of year that just feels right for family photos. The question I get asked more than any other is what to wear for family photos, so I put together four color palettes I’m loving right now for the Treasure Valley this season.

These aren’t just on trend. They’re the ones that photograph the most beautifully too, and they’re in style, so you can actually find the pieces in stores right now.

Coordinate, Don’t Match

The biggest thing to remember is you don’t need to match. Matching tends to photograph flat and stiff. What works so much better is coordinating: picking a palette and letting everyone wear their own version of it. A cream sweater on mom, an olive jacket on dad, and a rust dress on your daughter all work together beautifully without looking matchy.

Cream and Brown

Brown is having a real moment this year, and I am so here for it. Paired with cream, it’s warm, timeless, and never competes with the background. This is the palette I’m most excited about right now.

Shop the cream and brown finds

Olive, Burnt Orange, and Cream

This combo is everywhere right now, and for good reason. It’s rich, seasonal, and photographs beautifully against golden fields and changing leaves, which makes it a natural fit here in the Treasure Valley.

Shop the olive and burnt orange finds

Denim, Ivory, and Khaki

Relaxed, effortless, and a favorite of mine year after year. A great option if your family leans casual.

Shop the denim and khaki finds

Sage Green, Navy, and Cream

This one feels a little more elevated without trying too hard. The sage keeps it soft, the navy grounds it, and cream ties it all together. A great pick if you want something timeless with a little more personality.

Shop the sage green and navy finds

A Few More Styling Tips

Keep patterns minimal. A little texture goes a long way, but busy patterns tend to pull focus away from faces.

Stick to soft or muted tones. Anything bold or neon can throw off the whole palette and distract from the moment.

Don’t forget shoes. They show up in more photos than people expect, so it’s worth coordinating them with the rest of the outfit.

A Few Common Questions

Do I need to buy new outfits for family photos? Not at all. Many families put together a beautiful look using pieces they already own. The ShopMy links above are simply there to make it easier if you want some fresh inspiration.

What if my family doesn’t want to wear the same colors? That’s exactly the point of coordinating over matching. Pick one palette, then let everyone wear their own shade or piece within it, so it still feels like each person.

Which palette is best for a more casual family? The denim, ivory, and khaki palette tends to feel the most relaxed and effortless if your family leans casual.

Pick one palette for the whole family, then let each person wear their own piece or shade within it. If you’re already booked with me, your full prep guide with even more detail is on its way separately. If you’d like personalized outfit guidance for your own session, reach out through my website anytime.

Which palette is your favorite? I’d love to hear in the comments.