How to Dress for Outdoor Photos During the Fall


Getting classic and compelling portraits in the fall requires wearing different attire than what you would wear during the summer. You'll get much better results from your professional photo shoot if you take the rich colors and surroundings of fall into account and select clothing that complements those surroundings. It's a good time to take interesting photos, so harness the season with clothing that will enhance the photo and not distract from it
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Instructions

How to Dress for Outdoor Photos During the Fall

  • 1
    Opt for warm, rich hues. Think of the colors of fall--the colors of the leaves, the sunset, the grass, the sky and fields. Those colors are often labeled as earthy and include various browns, such as chocolate, camel and rust. Reds and purples, such as burgundy, violent and crimson, are also good choices. Consider darker greens, including forest green and olive, as well as steely grays.

  • 2
    Consider your surroundings. Though yellow, orange and gold are not listed as top choices, these colors are good options, particularly if your photo is in a rural area, such as an expansive field. Think of the trees, plant life and buildings that are behind you and use those colors to blend in with the surroundings. If there are lush hills, you might be best served by wearing various shades of green. If there are a lot of gold and brown trees and leaves, opt for shades of orange, red, brown and yellow.

  • 3
    Wear classic patterns. Opt for quality fabrics, such as wool and cashmere, and timeless patterns, such as tweed, herringbone and small plaid patterns. Don't go for anything too trendy, loud or distracting. At heart, you'll want people to notice you and your reactions and personality, not your clothing.

  • 4
    Bring heavier items along if it gets cold. What works for the start of the shoot may not be comfortable by the end.

  • 5
    Choose cover-ups that are attractive and utilitarian. Select warm sweaters, belted sweater jackets and timeless-looking shawls. These pieces should be heavy enough to keep you warm, but they should also echo the primary fall colors and fabrics mentioned above. In general, these items should be practical but should also photograph well.

  • 6
    Don't mix dark and light colors if you are taking photos with other people. In other words, if you are wearing khaki or winter white and the other person is wearing deep green or royal purple, the end result will not be cohesive. You are looking for harmony -- in all colors, on both subjects.

  • 7
    Don't wear anything too "indoor" or flashy. A jacket and tie is not going to look right in an outdoor scene amid huge trees and rolling hills. Same goes for stiletto heels and a pencil dress more appropriate for cocktails than an outdoor photograph. Always keep your background in mind to convey the most appropriate message and harmonious look and balance between background and subjects.