Fall Session Styling Tips

By Chris Gocklin – Sussex County, New Jersey

Fall in Sussex County is one of the most magical times of the year. The rolling hills and golden foliage make the perfect backdrop for family photos, but figuring out what everyone should wear can be overwhelming. I’ve put together this style guide to make the process easier, inspired by the changing leaves, cozy textures, and the unique charm of our New Jersey fall.

Tips for Styling Your Family
1. Start with One Outfit 
I always recommend starting with mom’s outfit first. Once you have a dress or sweater that you love and feel confident in, it’s much easier to coordinate the rest of the family around it.
Shop Fall Dresses

2. Build a Fall Palette
Think warm and earthy tones – rust, burgundy, olive green, deep navy, and mustard. Pair these with soft neutrals like cream, oatmeal, and taupe. Having about 3–4 colors in your palette keeps everyone cohesive without being too matchy.

Shop Fall Dresses

3. Coordinate, Don’t Match
Avoid identical outfits. Instead, aim for complementary colors and textures. If dad is in khaki chinos and an olive shirt, maybe the kids wear soft plaids, knits, or dresses in coordinating shades.

4. Layer & Add Texture
Layers photograph beautifully in the crisp fall air. Think cardigans, scarves, corduroy, boots, and knit sweaters. Textures like denim, linen, and knits add depth to your photos.

5. Mind the Shoes
Leave the sneakers at home (unless they’re neutral and stylish). Leather boots, loafers, and simple flats always elevate the look.

Outfit Inspiration
Here are a few outfit pairings that work perfectly for Sussex County’s fall landscape:
Rust & Cream

• Mom: Flowy rust dress with ankle boots
• Dad: Cream sweater + khakis
• Kids: Neutral plaid shirts, corduroy skirts/pants

 Olive & Mustard

• Mom: Olive green maxi dress
• Dad: Mustard pullover over a collared shirt
• Kids: Mustard cardigan or patterned dress with tights

Navy & Burgundy

• Mom: Burgundy wrap dress
• Dad: Navy button-up + chinos
• Kids: Navy plaid, burgundy skirts or suspenders

Shop Family Outfit Sets on Amazon
Shop Family Outfit Sets on Amazon

Things to Avoid

• Neon or overly bright colors (they distract from your faces).
• All black or all white outfits (too harsh in photos).
• Athletic sneakers and shirts with big logos.

Local Sussex County TouchIf we’re shooting at Waywayanda, High Point, or a local farm, earthy tones and layers work beautifully. The environment adds so much warmth, so your outfits should complement—not compete—with the natural beauty.



Ready to Plan Your Session?Coordinating outfits doesn’t have to be stressful. Start early, keep it simple, and remember that comfort matters too—especially for the kids. I’ll guide you through the rest during our session, so your family can focus on enjoying the day and making memories.

Ready to book? Click below to launch an inquiry and get a free consult to answer any questions.

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