How To Dress For Outdoor Fall Portraits

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. 

Wear the same kind of bottoms. Whether it be jeans, shorts or khaki's- Matching bottoms helps the group look more coordinated and helps the portrait like more than just a good snapshot. 

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.

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.

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

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.

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 all subjects.