Mommy-and-Me Fall Photoshoot Hairstyles: 5 Easy Looks We Love

There’s something magical about fall light — that warm, golden glow that makes everyone look like they walked straight out of a Pinterest board. And if you’re anything like me, the second the leaves start turning, I’m already texting my daughter “photoshoot Saturday?” She rolls her eyes every single time and then spends twenty minutes picking out her outfit anyway. Some things never change!

Every year our mommy-and-me fall photoshoot has become a little tradition, and honestly, the hair is the part people ask me about the most. A gorgeous coordinated hairstyle is what takes a cute picture and turns it into the one that ends up framed on the mantel (or, let’s be honest, as everyone’s holiday card). The good news? You don’t need a professional stylist or hours of prep time to get that polished, magazine-worthy look for two.

Today I’m sharing my favorite mother-daughter hairstyle combos for fall photos, plus all the little tricks I’ve picked up over the years to make picture day go smoothly — because nobody needs a meltdown five minutes before the camera comes out.

Why Fall Is the Best Season for Mommy-and-Me Photos

Fall light is soft and flattering, the color palette (rust, mustard, deep green, burgundy) photographs beautifully against most hair colors, and there’s a built-in reason to get dressed up before the holiday rush hits. Plus, cooler weather means hairstyles actually hold — no more melting curls five minutes after you walk outside like in July!

1. Twin Braided Crowns

This is my ride-or-die pick for photos because it works with almost any hair length and texture, and it photographs beautifully from every angle — front, back, and side profile. Start with a deep side part, French braid from the crown down each side, and pin the ends across the back of the head to form a “crown.” Tuck a small dried flower or fall-colored ribbon into the braid for extra photo charm.

Pro tip: Do your daughter’s braid first while her hair is fresh, then do yours — the pins hold better on day-two hair anyway.

2. Matching Low Side Ponytails

Simple, elegant, and quick — perfect for the mom who’s also trying to wrangle snack bags and a diaper bag five minutes before the photographer shows up. Gather hair low at the nape, sweep it to one side, and secure with a coordinating scrunchie or ribbon. Add a loose curl or two at the ends with a mini curling wand for extra movement in photos.

3. Half-Up Space Buns with a Twist

This one is my daughter’s favorite because she feels like a “hair princess,” and it looks incredibly cute in candid shots where she’s running through leaves or twirling in her dress. Twist two small sections at the crown into buns, secure with clear elastics, and let the rest fall naturally. For me, I do a single low twisted bun in the same styling family so we still look coordinated without matching exactly.

4. Sleek Low Buns with Face-Framing Pieces

For a more polished, editorial-style photo, sleek low buns are unbeatable. Smooth hair back with a shine serum, twist into a low bun, and pull out two small face-framing pieces to soften the look. This style is especially gorgeous for formal fall family portraits or if you’re doing photos in coordinating neutral outfits.

5. Loose Waves with Matching Headbands

If your daughter is younger (or just not into anything with pulling or pinning), this is the easiest win. Run a curling wand through both of your hair for soft, loose waves, then top it off with matching fall-colored headbands. It takes ten minutes total and photographs like you spent an hour on it.

Getting Photo-Ready: My Behind-the-Scenes Tips

• Do a trial run. Test your chosen style a few days before so you’re not troubleshooting bobby pins the morning of.
• Prep the night before. Loosely braid damp hair before bed for effortless waves the next morning — zero heat required.
• Pack a touch-up kit. Bobby pins, a small comb, and travel-size hairspray live in my bag on shoot day, always.
• Set a self-timer. A small tripod with a remote shutter means you can actually be in the photos instead of just taking them.
• Keep her comfortable. A hairstyle she can move and play in beats a “perfect” one she’s fussing with the whole shoot.

🏆 Our Top Picks

Here are the exact products that make our mommy-and-me photoshoot prep so much easier — all things I actually own and use:

• Sugarmelon Mommy and Me Headband & Scrunchie Set — This 8-piece set gives you coordinating headbands and scrunchies for both of you, which makes styles #2 and #5 above nearly effortless. Great neutral tones that work for fall photos. (~$14)
• FARERY Mini Travel Curling Iron, 1-Inch Ceramic Barrel — Small enough to toss in a bag and travel with to the photoshoot location, but powerful enough to give both of us soft waves in minutes. This is what I use for style #5. (~$20)
• Girl’s Hair Accessories Kit (Clips, Ties & Barrettes) — A huge kit of clips and ties in fall-friendly colors, perfect for pinning braided crowns or adding a little sparkle to space buns. (~$13)
• Kenra Instant Weightless Shine Spray — My secret weapon for sleek low buns (style #4) and for taming flyaways right before the camera comes out. A little goes a long way. (~$19)
• BZE 62″ Phone Tripod with Wireless Remote — This is how I actually get to be IN our mommy-and-me photos instead of always behind the camera. Extends tall enough for full-body shots and the remote makes timing so much easier with a wiggly kid. (~$23)

Making It a Tradition

The hairstyles and outfits will change every year, but what I love most is that this has become “our thing.” My daughter now asks about our fall photoshoot before I even bring it up, and some of my favorite pictures aren’t even the posed ones — they’re the ones where her hair started falling out of the braid because she was laughing too hard. That’s the real magic of it.

Whichever style you choose, keep it simple enough that you both can actually enjoy the day. The best mommy-and-me photos aren’t about perfect hair — they’re about capturing that connection, even if a few flyaways sneak into frame.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should I plan hairstyles for photos?

I always suggest doing a “trial run” three to five days before the actual shoot. This gives you time to adjust anything that didn’t quite work, order any last-minute accessories, and make sure your daughter is comfortable with the style (some kids hate anything too tight or tugged, so better to find out early!).

What if my daughter has short hair or won’t sit still for braiding?

Go with style #5 — loose waves with matching headbands. It requires zero pulling or pinning, takes minutes, and still gives you that coordinated look in photos. Headbands and clips are honestly the MVP accessory for photoshoots with younger kids.

How do I keep hairstyles from falling apart outdoors?

A light mist of shine spray or flexible-hold hairspray after styling makes a big difference, especially if you’re shooting somewhere breezy like a pumpkin patch or apple orchard. I also always pack a small touch-up kit (bobby pins, a mini comb, hair ties) in my bag so I can do quick fixes between shots.

What outfit colors pair best with these hairstyles?

Because most of these styles are pretty simple and classic, they work with almost any color palette. That said, my favorite combo for fall photos is rust, deep green, and cream — it photographs beautifully with both blonde and brunette hair, and it doesn’t compete with your hairstyle for attention.

My Final Photoshoot Day Checklist

1. Do a hairstyle trial run 3-5 days ahead
2. Prep hair the night before (braid damp hair for waves, or plan your morning routine)
3. Pack a touch-up kit: bobby pins, comb, mini hairspray or shine spray
4. Set up your tripod and test your remote shutter before you’re both dressed and ready
5. Keep snacks on hand — a hangry model (of any age) makes for stressful photos!
6. Give yourselves extra time so it doesn’t feel rushed — the best photos happen when everyone’s actually having fun

At the end of the day, my favorite fall photos aren’t the ones where every hair is perfectly in place — they’re the ones where you can tell we were genuinely enjoying our time together. The hairstyle is just the fun starting point that gets us both excited to get dressed up and make a memory.

Pin this for later so you have it ready when fall photoshoot season rolls around, and let me know in the comments which style you’re trying first!