There’s nothing quite like fall in New England. The crunch of leaves, the chill in the air, pulling out your coziest sweater, small towns that look like postcards, vibrant colors everywhere — it’s a magical time of the year and also the perfect time to book a photoshoot.
Whether you’re planning a couples, engagement, or maternity session, a fall photoshoot in New England is unmatched.
But the biggest question that’s probably already crossed your mind is – “What am I going to wear to my fall photoshoot?”
As a wedding and elopement photographer who is based in Connecticut, I’m here to help you plan the perfect look for your photoshoot.
Here are my best tips for fall photoshoot outfit ideas for an engagement/couples session or a maternity session.
New England Fall Photoshoot Outfit Ideas For An Engagement / Couples Session
When it comes to deciding what to wear, my first piece of advice to my own clients is to pick outfits that you and your partner feel comfortable and confident in.
When you are thinking about your outfits, you want to pick outfits that you love and not wear something that you think you “should” wear because it’s what everyone else is doing. I want you to feel your absolute best when you are in front of the camera.
With that being said, as you plan your fall photoshoot outfit, here are some tips to help you.
Coordinating Outfits
Start by looking for pieces that complement each other well without being too matchy-matchy. A great way to figure out how you can coordinate outfits is to start by choosing a color palette.
For fall photos I would recommend looking at neutral color palettes with pops of colors so that your outfits coordinate well with your surroundings but still stand out. Fall colors that look great, and go well with New England fall foliage, are burgundy, mustard, and deep greens.
When it comes to coordinating outfits it’s good to pick both complementary colors and solid prints versus anything that is too busy or would be distracting in your photos.
You also want to make sure that the actual style of your clothes is similar. This means one of you shouldn’t be dressed to the nines while the other is dressed very casually. Even if you do wear coordinating colors, your overall outfits are going to feel off.
Fall is a great time to wear something that is a bit more casual and cozy. With the cooler weather coming in, it brings in those vibes that make you want to throw on some comfy clothes and sip a hot drink so lean into that.
Layers
Layers are great to add to your outfits, and as an added bonus, they’ll keep you both warm!
The great thing about layers is that they enhance your photos without being too distracting. For example, if you’re wearing a neutral top, you could add a flannel or sweater with rich autumn tones to give your outfit more depth.
Layers also give you the chance to switch up your look during your session if you’re not planning on doing an outfit change. But layers don’t just have to be flannels, jackets, or sweaters. You could also bring a fall-colored scarf, hat, or something else to accessorize your outfit and add texture.
One of my favorite things about layers is that it can also help you create a completely different style at the drop of a hat. So, it’s not just that you had a green shirt and now you have a red jacket, but it can take an outfit from casual to a bit dressier with no effort at all.
For this, some nicer jackets, scarves, and maybe even gloves can help to give your outfits a completely different vibe.
Embrace Patterns
Don’t shy away from patterns – they can be a really fun way to show off your personality. For example, one of you could wear an outfit with plaid patterns in a warm color, such as a shirt or flannel, or add a pattern with a nice scarf.
However, with that being said if you want to use patterns make sure that you aren’t choosing clashing patterns such as bold stripes paired with plaid. You also want to think carefully about the pattern itself before you decide to wear it.
Any patterns that are too small or detailed can tend to get lost in photos and can end up looking like a jumbled mess. You also want to be careful if you are both planning on wearing a pattern. This can get a bit busy sometimes, so you can also consider having one of you wear a more neutral outfit to make sure you don’t clash.
Clothing items
All of these work great for fall photos:
- Cozy sweaters
- Flannels
- Pullovers
- Boots
- Brown footwear
- White clothing – white or off-white clothing pairs effortlessly well with fall colors in the background
- Denim
- Cardigans
- Gloves (as it starts to get colder)
New England Fall Photoshoot Outfit Ideas For A Maternity Session
Choosing what to wear for a maternity session can feel tricky. You want to select something that makes you feel comfortable and confident while also accommodating your changing body. So what should you wear?
Start with color
During fall my recommended colors for your maternity session are anything from burgundy to forest green to neutral colors such as beige or cream. I would advise against wearing anything that is black because it can hide your bump altogether which is definitely not what we want to do.
Skip out on busy, bold prints
Instead of busy bold prints, it’s great to go for solid colors. That way, all the attention is on you and the bond between you and your baby.
Add layers
Layers are great to add to your photos to add something different to your photos and to add dimension. You can bring a blanket, a chunky knit cardigan, or a stylish scarf. You can also layer your outfit with a longer-length jacket.
I want you to choose layers and an outfit that will give you the most flattering silhouette for your photos. One thing to help with this is to pick layers that are not pullovers. This can sometimes hide your baby bump while button or zip-up jackets can elevate your look while not covering your stomach.
Clothing items
- Loose, flowy dresses or a sweater dress
- Comfortable footwear such as booties or flats
- A cozy sweater or cardigan to add layers
All of these items are flattering and will also ensure that you’re warm and comfortable during your session.
Now You’re Ready to Plan Your Own Fall Photoshoot Outfit Ideas
I hope that you found this blog post helpful and that it gave you some fall photoshoot outfit ideas that you feel are perfect for your couples/engagement session or your maternity session.
If you love this post and are looking for the perfect photographer to capture your session, whatever that may look like for you, reach out here. I’m all about capturing breathtaking images that are unique to you and your story.
