What to wear to make your fall photos WOW! | Raleigh Durham NC 2025

When I first started photography, I thought the biggest factor in creating beautiful photos was location. But over the years, I’ve learned something surprising: even the most magical backdrop can’t outshine a poor outfit choice. What you wear sets the stage for your photos—it shapes the mood, colors, and timelessness of the entire gallery. And with fall’s gorgeous tones and textures, you have a golden opportunity to make your photos wow.

Clothing Choices Matter More Than You Think

Yes, I hate to admit it- and to be transparent, I’ve tried to deny it, but it’s true. Just like in beautiful music, colors can harmonize with each other, not only giving you a complete look, but also evoking a feeling that connects with the emotion displayed in the photo. Clothing also helps to draw the viewer’s eye right back to the main subject of the photo, vs. pulling the attention away and distracting.

Have you ever seen a beautiful photo of a mom and son snuggling…and whoops- there is a dirty tie-dye croc? But hey- I get it- choosing clothes is not everyone’s cup of tea & let’s be completely honest…this isn’t easy, no matter who you are. But guess what, you have an ace up your sleeve: me.

I’m closing in on 1,000 family sessions—and along the way, I’ve learned a lot. Sure, I can spot the trick to making your toddler giggle, but I’ve also seen (and edited!) just about every kind of outfit choice you can imagine. At this point, I know exactly what photographs beautifully… and what can be a little distracting.

Every family who books with me gets a Session Prep Guide with behind-the-scenes tips for pulling outfits together, but this year, I wanted to give you something extra. So I created six complete family looks, like the one above, inspired by cozy, fall-inspired color palettes that work perfectly with my editing style.

Each look includes ideas (AND LINKS!!) for everyone in the family plus the exact color palette to build from. That way, even if you skip the specific pieces I picked—or shop your own closet—you’ll still end up with a combination that looks amazing on camera. Plus there is an extra section dedicated just to shoes!!

Location, lighting, and posing are all important—but what you wear might be the single easiest way to add that extra ‘wow’ factor to your photos. I’m here so that you don’t have to second-guess what to wear. Together, we’ll create images that you’ll be proud to hang on your walls for years to come.

& of course! If you are looking for a session this fall, hop on over to this blog post to find all the information & availability!