What to Wear for an Autumn Family Photoshoot in Sherrardspark Woods

Autumn is my absolute favourite time of year.

I love the colours, I love the light, and I love just how fleeting it is.

Unlike summer or winter, when the landscape can look much the same for weeks on end, autumn is constantly changing. The colours can be different from one day to the next — sometimes even from one part of the woods to another. One week the leaves are still mostly green, the next they're turning golden, and before you know it the woodland floor is covered in russets, browns and crunchy leaves.

There’s something really special about that.

It means that every autumn family photoshoot is slightly different. The woodland I photograph you in this week won't necessarily look the same when I return next week, and I love that. It makes these sessions feel wonderfully tied to a particular moment in time.

After such a dry, parched summer this year, Sherrardspark Woods is finally beginning to come back to life. The woodland looked unusually tired through the heat and drought, but now there’s a softness returning to it — and the first hints of autumn are already beginning to appear.

The browns and russets are starting to show themselves a little earlier than usual this year, alongside the deep greens that are slowly returning to the woodland floor. And with the heat of summer behind us, the light has changed too. It’s softer, gentler and beautifully diffused through the trees.

It’s one of my favourite times of year to photograph families here.

I photograph most of my autumn family sessions in Sherrardspark Woods in Welwyn Garden City, and I know the woods extremely well. I know where to find the best autumn colour, which areas are looking their loveliest as the season progresses, and where the light falls at different times of day.

That means I don’t simply arrive and find a tree to stand in front of.

I’ll choose the areas that are looking their best when we meet, making the most of the colour, light and season as it actually is on the day.

Occasionally, I’ll photograph families at Panshanger Park instead, depending on the type of photographs you’re looking for and what the landscape and light are doing at that particular time of year.

And then there’s the clothing...

If you’re wondering what to wear for an autumn family photoshoot, my biggest piece of advice is this:

Choose clothes that allow you to move, play and actually enjoy yourselves.

Your photographs will be so much more beautiful when everyone feels comfortable and you’re not constantly worrying about whether someone has got mud on their trousers.

What to wear for family photos in the woods

1. Comfort comes first

Please don’t save your most precious outfit for your woodland photoshoot.

There may be mud.

Actually, there is a fairly good chance there will be mud.

Sherrardspark Woods is a real woodland, not a studio with a strategically placed tree. We might walk along woodland paths, sit on logs, explore, pick things up, chase children and occasionally find ourselves somewhere slightly muddier than anticipated.

I want you to be able to get stuck in without worrying about ruining your clothes.

Choose things that feel comfortable and that you’re happy to get a little bit mucky.

Most importantly, avoid anything too tight or restrictive. Clothes that flow and move with you make it much easier to interact naturally with your children — and movement is what makes photographs feel alive.

A little twirl, a child being swung through the leaves, a cuddle, a run down the path or a dress catching in the breeze can create some of the most beautiful photographs of the whole session.

These are the moments I’m looking for.

2. Think earthy and natural

For autumn family photography, I love earthy, natural colours that complement the woodland rather than compete with it.

Think:

Cream and oatmeal

Beige and camel

Warm browns

Rust and russet

Terracotta

Olive and sage

Mustard

Burgundy and muted berry tones

Warm grey

Denim

You don’t need everyone dressed in matching shades. In fact, please don’t!

Instead, choose colours that sit happily together. Think coordinated rather than matching.

The woodland is already providing a beautiful backdrop, so natural, muted colours tend to complement it beautifully.

You can have different colours, textures and patterns within the family while still creating a cohesive look.

3. Texture makes photographs more interesting

Autumn is brilliant for adding texture to your outfits.

Knits, chunky jumpers, corduroy, wool, denim and soft cottons all photograph beautifully and add depth and interest to your images.

You can also add little details through accessories such as:

Scarves

Hair bows

Belts

Knitted hats

Headbands

Cosy cardigans

These small details might not seem important when you’re getting dressed, but they can make a surprising difference in photographs.

And if there’s a little breeze, a flowing scarf or skirt can add lovely movement too.

4. Patterns are absolutely fine — just keep them simple

You don’t have to stick to completely plain clothing.

I love a subtle pattern.

Ditsy flowers, gingham, a small check or a subtle stripe can all work beautifully for woodland family photos.

The trick is to avoid anything too bold or visually busy. Large, high-contrast patterns can draw the eye away from the people in the photograph — and that’s definitely not what we want.

The same goes for large logos and prominent branding.

If you’re unsure, lay everyone’s outfits out together before the shoot and look at them as a group. If one item immediately jumps out at you, it might be worth swapping it for something a little quieter.

5. Dungarees are your friend

I absolutely love dungarees for children’s autumn photoshoots.

They’re practical, cute and wonderfully versatile. You can layer a cosy jumper, long-sleeved top or little shirt underneath them depending on the weather.

They also work particularly well for woodland family photography because children can run, climb, sit, explore and generally be themselves without having to worry about their clothes.

For little girls, dresses can also look gorgeous — especially paired with warm tights and boots.

Choose something with a little movement rather than anything stiff or restrictive and you’ll get some lovely photographs as she runs and twirls through the leaves.

6. Dress for the weather — but bring layers

Autumn weather in Hertfordshire can be unpredictable.

So please dress appropriately for the temperature. Layers are your friend, particularly for children.

If you bring a coat, however, don’t be surprised if I ask you to take it off for some of the photographs.

Photographs generally look much better without coats.

We’ll absolutely use them if everyone is freezing, but if you’re warm enough underneath your layers, I’d rather photograph the cosy jumpers, dresses and beautiful textures you’ve chosen.

You can always put coats back on between photographs.

And please don’t worry if the weather isn’t perfectly sunny. Some of the most beautiful light for family photography happens on those soft, overcast autumn days when everything feels a little quieter.

7. Sensible shoes are essential

This one is less about aesthetics and more about survival.

The ground in Sherrardspark Woods can be wet, muddy, slippery and uneven, particularly during autumn and winter.

So wellies or sensible shoes are a must.

If you have a pair of boots that look lovely but can also cope with a woodland path, even better.

And please don’t worry about getting them muddy. We’re in the woods. Muddy boots are part of the experience.

You can always bring a change of shoes if you’d like something different for photographs — although I promise I’m not expecting anyone to balance precariously on a log in their best shoes!

8. Bring water and snacks

This may be the least glamorous piece of advice on this entire page, but bring snacks.

And water.

Your snacks won’t be in the photographs — you can leave your bag somewhere nearby while we’re shooting — but they may come in very handy.

Because sometimes a child who was absolutely fine five minutes ago suddenly becomes desperately hungry.

And sometimes a little snack-based bribery is exactly what is required.

I’m not above it.

In fact, I’m actively encouraging it.

So bring the snacks. Bring the water. You’ll thank me later.

What to wear for an autumn maternity photoshoot

These same ideas work beautifully if you’re planning an autumn maternity photoshoot in Hertfordshire.

Flowing dresses, soft knits, textured fabrics and earthy neutral colours all photograph beautifully against the autumn woodland.

If you’re pregnant, comfort is especially important. Choose something you can move and walk in easily rather than an outfit that looks beautiful but leaves you uncomfortable after ten minutes.

A long, flowing dress can create gorgeous movement as you walk, while a chunky cardigan or cosy knit can add texture and warmth.

And if you’re bringing older children along for a maternity and family photoshoot, don’t feel that everyone needs to be perfectly coordinated. The same earthy, complementary colour palette works beautifully for the whole family.

And finally… don’t worry about being perfect

Ultimately, there’s no perfect formula for what to wear for family photos in the woods.

The photographs aren’t really about the clothes.

They’re about the way your little girl grabs your hand as we walk along the path. The way your son launches himself at Dad. The cuddles. The laughter. The muddy boots. The leaves being thrown in the air. The tiny moments you might not even notice happening.

So choose clothes that let you move, play, cuddle and explore.

Don’t worry about getting a little muddy.

Don’t worry if your child’s jumper becomes covered in leaves.

And definitely don’t worry if your children don’t spend the whole session looking at the camera.

That’s rather the point.

I want your photographs to feel like your family, not a perfectly posed version of one.

And if we’re photographing your family in Sherrardspark Woods, I’ll take care of the rest — from finding the loveliest autumn colour to choosing the spots where the light is doing something particularly beautiful.

All you need to do is turn up, wrap your arms around your people, and enjoy them.

Muddy boots very much included.