What to Wear for Your Fall Dog Photo Session in Niagara

There’s a reason fall is my favourite time of year to shoot. The light gets softer, the colours turn to gold and rust and deep amber, and for a few short weeks, all of Niagara turns into one big backdrop. But before we get to my favourite spots to shoot in (that’s coming in my next post!), let’s talk about the question I get asked most as soon as a fall session gets booked: what do I wear?

And to be clear — this isn’t just for dog sessions. Whether it’s your pup, your whole family, a mix of humans and pets, or just you and your favourite cat curled up on a porch, the same wardrobe rules apply. Fall sessions at Two Saints Photography are for everyone in your life worth celebrating — two legs, four legs, or a happy mix of both.

Start With Colour, Not Trends

Forget what’s “in season” on Pinterest for a second — the goal is colours that feel like fall in Niagara, and that flatter everyone in the frame (including the dog).

Lean into:

• Earth tones — sage, caramel, terracotta, dusty rose
• Jewel tones — navy, emerald, burgundy

These colours sit beautifully against turning leaves and warm golden-hour light, and they photograph rich and true rather than flat.

Skip:

• Pure black and white — both tend to photograph as flat and unflattering next to the warmth of fall colour
• Anything with a big, bold logo or graphic — it pulls the eye away from your faces (and your dog’s)

Texture Is Your Best Friend

Fall is the one season where you can really play. Small patterns, knits, and layered textures (think a chunky cardigan over a simple tee, or a scarf tossed over a jacket) add richness to photos without competing with the background. Flat, single-texture fabrics tend to look a little one-note once the leaves start doing all the work in the background — so this is your excuse to bring out the good sweaters.

Accessories Done Right

Scarves, knit hats, and a well-worn jean jacket are all fair game and tend to photograph beautifully. A couple of things to leave at home, though:

• Baseball caps — they cast a hard shadow across the eyes, and I want to see those faces
• Transition lenses — they tend to go dark in outdoor light and hide the eyes completely in photos
• Very low-cut tops — not the most comfortable choice once you’re climbing over a log or crouching down to get face-to-face with a dog

Coordinating Without Matching

You don’t need matching outfits — in fact, please don’t. What works instead is picking 2–3 colours from the same palette (say, navy, caramel, and dusty rose) and letting each person and pet wear a different combination of them. It reads as put-together in photos without looking like a uniform.

Don’t Forget Your Feet

Wardrobe planning tends to stop at the shoulders, but footwear matters just as much — especially at spots like Ball’s Falls or Decew Falls, where the ground is uneven and often a little muddy underfoot by fall. Boots or a comfortable closed-toe shoe are your friend. Save the white sneakers and sandals for another day; they show every scuff and don’t do you any favours on the terrain.

Layer Up (Niagara Weather Has Opinions)

Fall mornings here can start crisp and end up warm by afternoon, or the reverse. Dress in layers you can add or shed as we go — a light jacket or cardigan over your outfit is both practical and, conveniently, one more texture for the camera to love. Bring it even if the forecast looks mild when you leave the house.

Don’t Forget the Dog’s Wardrobe Either

Your dog gets a say in this too. Swapping to a nicer leash and collar for the session — or adding a seasonal bandana in the same palette as everyone else — pulls the whole look together and photographs beautifully against fall colour. If you don’t already have one that fits the palette, it’s worth picking one up before the day.

Click on image below for a quick guide

A Few Small Things That Make a Big Difference

• Skip the fresh haircut or hair colour right before your session. Give it a week or two to settle so it looks natural rather than “just done.”
• Keep jewelry minimal. Anything large or reflective can catch the light strangely in photos.
• Sunglasses are for the walk over, not the photos. Pack them, but plan to take them off once we start shooting.
• If kids are joining the session, dress them for movement, not for show. Leggings and pants over anything restrictive, and shoes they can actually climb and run in — comfort photographs a lot better than a stiff, uncomfortable outfit ever will.

If the Weather Doesn’t Cooperate

Fall in Niagara can be unpredictable, and that’s okay — dressing in layers means we can usually adapt on the day. If the forecast turns on us in a bigger way, we’ll talk about rescheduling. Either way, don’t let a weather worry stop you from booking; we’ll figure it out together.

Need Inspiration?

I keep a running Fall & Winter session inspiration board on Pinterest full of outfit ideas — for families, for individuals, and yes, for dogs too. It’s the easiest way to see the palette in action before you start pulling things out of your closet. Bookmark it, screenshot it, send it to everyone in your session — it’s all right here.

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Booked a fall session and still deciding where to shoot? Up next: my favourite fall photo locations in Niagara — including Decew Falls, Ball’s Falls, Niagara Shores Park, and the orchards and vineyards of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Stay tuned.

Simple. Guided. Joyful. — that’s the whole point of a session with me, no matter who (or how many paws) show up for it.