What to wear for fall family photos in southern Utah
Fall is one of the most beautiful times of year to photograph families in southern Utah — and one of the trickiest to dress for. Between the golden aspens at Cedar Mountain, the rabbit brush blooming across St. George, and the deep red rock backdrops of Snow Canyon, there's a lot of color already happening in the landscape. Your job is to complement it, not compete with it.
Here's everything you need to know about dressing your family for a fall session here.
Think rich, deep, and layered
Fall is the one season where you can lean into richer, deeper tones without worrying about looking overdressed. Burgundy, deep forest green, navy, mustard, warm cream, and dusty mauve all photograph beautifully against both the golden aspen backdrops at higher elevations and the red rock landscapes closer to St. George. These deeper tones feel naturally autumnal without trying too hard, and they hold up beautifully in a moody, cinematic edit.
Coordinate, don't match
The days of everyone in the same color are long gone — and honestly, coordinated variety looks far more interesting in photos than a matching set. Choose 2-3 anchor colors and let each family member wear a different shade or tone within that palette. For example, mom in deep burgundy, dad in warm navy, kids in cream and forest green — everyone looks connected without looking like they raided the same closet.
Though in my opinion there are some rare exceptions were a little matching is okay like with a baby and a toddler. I think it’s cute!
Colors that work beautifully in fall southern Utah
Against red rock backdrops (Snow Canyon, Sand Hollow, St. George area):
Deep burgundy and wine tones
Forest green, sage green, and olive
Dusty mauve, dusty pink, and muted purple
Warm cream and ivory
Navy, chambray blue, and muted teal
Mustard yellow (used as an accent, not head to toe)
Warm brown and camel (pair with lighter or cooler tones elsewhere for contrast)
Soft pumpkin (use carefully — can blend against red rock depending on lighting, works best paired with deeper or cooler tones)
Warm brown, camel, and chestnut
Colors to avoid
Against red rock specifically, avoid anything too close to the rock itself — terracotta, peach, bright orange, and coral all tend to blend into the sandstone rather than standing out from it. Neon colors and overly bright whites can also overpower a photo, pulling the eye away from your family and toward the outfit.
For mountain locations, avoid colors so dark they disappear into the shadowed tree line — very dark brown or black head-to-toe can get lost against a dense forest backdrop. A single dark piece is fine, but balance it with lighter tones elsewhere.
Lean into texture and layers
Fall is the perfect season to add texture — chunky knit sweaters, linen dresses, denim jackets, soft flannels, and flowy fabrics all add visual depth to a photo in a way that a plain solid-colored t-shirt just doesn't. Layers also solve a real practical problem: southern Utah fall days can start warm and cool down fast, especially at higher elevations. Dressing in layers means you stay comfortable throughout the session and gives us more outfit variety without a full wardrobe change.
Don't forget shoes
Shoes are one of the most overlooked parts of fall outfit planning, and they show up more than you'd think. Simple boots — whether ankle boots, cowboy boots, or hiking-style — are a natural fit for fall sessions in southern Utah and add a grounded, outdoorsy feel. Avoid bright white sneakers or anything neon, which will pull the eye straight to the ground.
Kids and babies
Kids are most comfortable (and most cooperative) in clothes they can move in. Avoid anything too stiff, scratchy, or fussy — if they're uncomfortable, it shows in the photos. A flowy dress for a little girl or a soft flannel for a little boy can look polished without restricting movement. For babies, layering a simple neutral outfit with a knit cardigan in an accent color works beautifully and photographs well at any location.
One thing I can't stress enough for fall sessions specifically: make sure your kids are warm enough. Fall mornings and evenings in southern Utah — especially at higher elevations like Cedar Mountain and Pine Valley — can get genuinely chilly, and a cold, uncomfortable child is a grumpy, uncooperative child. That shows up in photos more than almost anything else. Plan for layers your kids can wear between shots and take off when we're actively shooting — a cozy knit cardigan, a soft flannel shirt, or a light jacket in a coordinating color all work beautifully and keep everyone happy without looking like you came dressed for a snowstorm. Save the heavy winter coats for after the session.
When in doubt, ask
Outfit planning is included in several of my session packages for exactly this reason — it's one of the details that makes the biggest difference in how your final photos look and feel. If you're unsure about a specific outfit or color combination, send me a photo before your session and I'll help you fine-tune it. No guessing required.
Book your fall session here before the best windows fill up.
