The Essential Fall Mini Session Style Guide
Booked your Fall Mini Session and wondering what to wear? You’re in the right place. Minis are short and sweet (just 15 minutes!), which means the focus is on connection, not perfection. The right outfits will keep your photos feeling timeless, with just enough seasonal touches to feel fresh.
Think cozy, comfortable, and confident — outfits you already love, with a few fall tweaks.
1. Dress for the Season
(and the Park)
Fall Minis = Seattle parks, trails, fields, and crunchy leaves. Outfits that fit right in with that setting always photograph best.
✅ Always works:
Cozy sweaters or knit dresses with boots
Jeans with cardigans or vests
A flowy maxi with a jacket thrown over
Layers you can add/remove in seconds (scarves, cardigans, light coats)
🚫 Skip:
Cocktail dresses or anything super formal (they’ll look out of place)
Flip-flops (not practical on trails + don’t photograph well)
Anything too lightweight or summery (October is layers season)
The goal is to make you and your family the focus—not your clothes. Choosing the right tones ensures your images look natural, flattering, and timeless.
2. Colors That Shine in Fall
Keep It Simple (And Say No to Logos & Neons!)
Fall light and leaves are already bold. Your outfits should play nicely, not compete.
✨ Works beautifully:
Cozy neutrals: camel, cream, olive, dusty rose, warm brown
Jewel tones: navy, burgundy, emerald, mustard
Denim blues + soft greys for balance
Pro Tip: Wore neutrals last year? Switch it up with jewel tones this year. Variety = fresh gallery without overthinking.
🚫 Hard no’s:
Logos or text. These are the #1 thing that dates photos and pulls all the attention away from faces. A giant swoosh or cartoon graphic is the first thing your eye goes to in an otherwise gorgeous image — and once you see it, you can’t unsee it. I want the focus on you, not your clothes advertising for someone else.
Neons (they cast weird color onto skin)
Yellow-greens (they disappear into grass and foliage)
The goal is to make you and your family the focus—not your clothes. Choosing the right tones ensures your images look natural, flattering, and timeless.
3. Patterns
Keep Them Intentional
Patterns can add personality, but they should feel intentional, not distracting. A well-placed plaid or floral dress adds interest, while too many bold prints compete for attention.
The easiest way to pull it off: let one person wear the pattern, and build the group’s palette around it. If someone has a floral with navy and blush, the rest of the family can wear solids in those colors. If one person rocks muted plaid, others can echo those tones with sweaters or jackets.
👉 Patterns should support the story, not steal the spotlight. Keep them clean, coordinated, and balanced.
4. Textures
The Secret Weapon
Fall is made for textures, and they photograph beautifully on both adults and kids. A chunky knit sweater, corduroy jacket, or scarf with fringe instantly adds richness and makes an outfit feel layered and cozy without being fussy.
For littles, think knit tights, overalls, or sweaters with visible weave — those details pop in photos and add personality. Adults can bring in depth with corduroy, denim, or chunky knits.
👉 Textures elevate everyone’s look, making the whole gallery feel more polished and timeless.
5.The Right Fit
Comfort = Confidence
The fastest way to look good in photos? Feel comfortable in your clothes. If someone is tugging at a waistband or a kiddo is stuck in something itchy, it shows.
Clothes with pockets are especially helpful — they give your hands something to do, which makes photos feel more natural and less “posed.”
And here’s a tip that makes a huge difference: try everything on ahead of time. Make sure outfits feel good, shoes fit, and kids aren’t bothered by tags or fabric. That way, there are no surprises on the day of your session, and you’ll know everyone can move easily.
Fall Minis are quick, but even 15 minutes is long enough for discomfort to creep in. Choose outfits you can sit, stand, and play in. For little ones, soft layers are key — easy to adjust if they get too hot or cold.
👉 When everyone feels good (and has a place for their hands), the photos look natural, relaxed, and connected.
6. Shoes Matter More Than You Think
Don’t Let Them Steal the Show (In a Bad Way!)
A huge bummer in family photography is when you have a lovely set of photos but your eyes go straight to a distracting pair of shoes.
🚫 What to avoid:
Light-up sneakers (fun for kids, but they grab too much attention in photos!)
Character shoes (Spiderman, Paw Patrol, Elsa—adorable, but so loud and not ideal for timeless photos)
Bright rainbow rain boots (unless the whole vibe is rain gear, they can stand out too much)
Super worn-out Converse or scuffed sneakers (great for everyday wear, but they can look distracting in images)
Flip-flops (they often look too casual and don’t photograph well)
✅ What works well:
Neutral, non-distracting shoes like boots, mules, flats, or simple sandals.
Well-kept sneakers in neutral tones if casual shoes are necessary for kids.
Barefoot for beach sessions (it looks way better than flip-flops!)
Shoes can make or break an outfit in photos. The best choices blend seamlessly with your outfit rather than drawing attention away from you.
7. Returning Families — Keep It Fresh
If you’ve done Fall Minis before, you don’t need a whole new wardrobe to make this year’s photos feel new. Focus on small swaps:
Switch your palette (last year neutrals → this year jewel tones)
Add a new accessory (blanket, hat, or scarf)
Change up textures (smooth knits one year, corduroy or chunky sweaters the next)
👉 Small changes go a long way in giving you a fresh gallery while keeping your style recognizable.
8. Pinterest Without the Rabbit Hole
If you’re staring at your closet thinking, “Where do I even start?” — Pinterest can help, as long as you don’t get lost scrolling for hours.
Here’s my trick: start with one piece you already love (your favorite rust sweater, your kiddo’s denim jacket, those mustard tights) and type it into Pinterest with “fall outfit” after it. You’ll see dozens of ways to style something similar — layered with jackets, paired with boots, balanced with neutrals, etc.
👉 Pay attention to color combos and textures. If your search shows lots of knits with denim and neutrals, use that as your palette.
And if you don’t feel like searching? I made it easy: here’s my curated board full of cozy, camera-ready inspiration.
9. Coordinated, Not Matching
Let’s clear this up: you don’t need to show up looking like a Gap commercial in identical outfits. Coordinated beats matching every time.
Coordinated = a shared color palette with a mix of solids, textures, and maybe one subtle pattern. Think: one person in a muted plaid shirt, another in a solid sweater that pulls a color from the plaid, and someone else in denim or cream to balance it out.
Matching = everyone in the same shirt or shade. It can feel stiff and takes away personality.
👉 The best photos come when everyone’s look feels connected, but still like themselves.
10. Weather Prep (Because… Seattle)
October here can mean dreamy, golden sun or cool drizzle — sometimes both in the same afternoon. The best strategy: layer smart.
A cardigan, trench, or vest adds warmth and visual variety
Knit hats or wool coats can look timeless if it’s chilly
Breathable cotton layers keep you comfortable if it’s milder
👉 Layers give you options and ensure you’ll be comfortable no matter what Seattle throws our way.
11. Shop Your Closet First
Before you hit “add to cart,” take a spin through your own closet. Start with a piece you already know you love and feel confident in, then build everyone else’s outfits around it.
A go-to sweater, a favorite jacket, or that one dress you always get compliments on can be the anchor. Add in textures and coordinating colors, and suddenly you have a pulled-together look without buying a whole new wardrobe.
12. Hair + Makeup: Keep It You
Fall Minis are quick and easy, so your look should be, too. Stick with what feels like you.
Hair: Style it the way you usually wear it — straight, wavy, curls, whatever feels natural. If you want a little boost, a fresh blowout is great, but nothing drastic or new on photo day.
Makeup: Think natural and polished. A touch of mascara, blush, and lip color goes a long way. Full glam is better for TV or events. For outdoor minis? Simple looks timeless.
Weather factor: Since minis sometimes shift by a day (thanks, rain), keep in mind that elaborate makeup appointments can be hard to reschedule.
Final Thoughts
You’ve got this! Fall Minis are designed to be fun, low-stress, and full of connection. Show up cozy, coordinated, and comfortable, and I’ll take care of the rest.
In just 15 minutes, you’ll walk away with a gallery full of variety, personality, and fall magic — perfect for holiday cards, gifts, or just remembering this season of life.
📩 Questions? Shoot me an email
📅 Haven’t booked yet? Click here to book your session