Fall Color Trends for Family Photos in Phoenix
Wondering what to wear for your fall family photos in Phoenix? Choosing the right colors can completely change the look and feel of your images. Even though Arizona doesn’t have bright orange trees around every corner, we can absolutely create those cozy autumn vibes with the right color palette.
As your Phoenix family photographer, I love helping families choose outfits that photograph beautifully while still feeling like themselves. Whether you’re planning your annual family session or updating the portraits on your walls, these fall color trends will help you create timeless images you’ll love for years to come.
The Best Fall Colors for Family Photos
Deep Burgundies
Rich, timeless, and incredibly flattering, burgundy adds warmth and depth to your family portraits. It photographs beautifully during golden hour and pairs well with almost every neutral.
Burnt Oranges
Nothing says fall quite like burnt orange. This cozy color complements the desert landscape while bringing warmth and personality to your images.
Soft Taupes
Taupe is one of my favorite neutral colors because it balances bolder shades without stealing attention. It gives your portraits an elegant, timeless look that never feels trendy.
Muted Greens
Earthy greens work beautifully in Arizona, whether we’re photographing in the desert or one of Phoenix’s surprisingly lush parks. They create a natural, relaxed feel that complements the scenery.
Together, these colors create a warm, inviting palette that feels perfectly suited for fall while still looking beautiful in our unique Arizona landscapes.
How to Coordinate Your Family’s Fall Outfits
Mix, Don’t Match
Thankfully, the days of everyone wearing identical white shirts and jeans are behind us.
Instead of matching, choose colors that coordinate. Pair burgundy with cream, burnt orange with taupe, or olive green with soft neutrals. Your family will look more natural, and everyone’s personality can still shine through.
Add Layers and Texture
Phoenix may not have sweater weather for long, but texture always photographs beautifully.
Light cardigans, denim jackets, scarves, knit sweaters, boots, and layered jewelry all add depth and interest without making anyone uncomfortable in the Arizona heat.
Dress for Your Location
One thing I’ve learned after photographing families throughout the Valley is that every location has its own personality.
Desert locations tend to look best with warm earth tones like rust, cream, camel, and olive. Greener parks can handle slightly cooler colors like sage, dusty blue, and soft taupe.
Choosing colors that complement the location helps your family stand out instead of blending into the scenery.
A Little Phoenix Tip
Want your desert location to look surprisingly green?
Schedule the latest session of the evening, after the sun has moved behind the mountains. If we’ve had a good monsoon season, the desert often looks much greener than people expect. Timing makes a huge difference, and it’s one of the reasons I carefully recommend locations and session times for every family.
Colors to Avoid for Fall Family Photos
There aren’t many “rules” when it comes to family photos, but there are a few things I recommend avoiding.
Neon colors can reflect onto skin tones.
Large logos tend to draw attention away from faces.
Busy patterns can compete with one another when several people wear them.
And while black can absolutely work, I usually recommend mixing it with softer colors instead of dressing everyone in solid black.
The goal is always for people to notice your family first, not your clothes.
Need Outfit Inspiration?
If you’re still deciding what everyone should wear, don’t worry. I’ve created a fall color palette guide to help you put outfits together.
Think flowing dresses, cozy sweaters, layered textures, classic denim, boots, and simple accessories that complement one another without feeling overly coordinated. Small details like these often make the biggest difference in creating portraits that feel effortless and timeless.