Timing is everything

The key to capturing the beauty of fall is timing. While it may be tempting to wait until the leaves are at their brightest and most colorful, don't wait too long, I've scheduled my sessions not only for the ideal times of day, but also the ideal time of year! Once the leaves start falling, the scenery can quickly become dull and barren. That's why I aim to book portrait sessions in the first two weeks of October when the colors are still vibrant and the scenery is at its most breathtaking. 

Choose the right location-or let me do that for you!

The location you choose for your photo session can make a big difference in the outcome of your pictures. This is why I offer several locations that I know will give you the best looking fall portraits you'll love to look at on your wall year 'round. Natural settings, such as a forest or wooded trail, or a lake are perfect for capturing the golden and red colors of fall! The locations I offer, provide plenty of natural scenery that showcase the beauty of the fall season. I make sure to scout out the areas I photograph beforehand to ensure it's free from debris and other obstacles that may ruin the aesthetics of your photos, and I know all the best angles and "perfect spots". But I love new locations as well, so if you have a spot you love for fall, that's great too!

Coordinate your outfit and props

When it comes to choosing your outfits, opt for warm, cozy looks with rich, autumnal hues that complement the fall scenery. Consider plaid scarfs, cozy sweaters, or tweed jackets. Accessorize your outfits with fall-inspired accessories, like a pumpkins (I'll provide some) and of course we'll have the fall leaves, and incorporate props that are significant to your family or represent the season, like apples, baskets of leaves, or even cozy blankets. However, keep in mind that the colors in your outfits should not detract from the natural beauty of your surroundings. 

Golden-hour lighting

I schedule my Fall Portrait Session with 2 things in mind, the color and vibrance of the scenery, is the obvious one, but the second is LIGHTING! Photography is the process of creating an image through the capture of light after all! The lighting during the "golden hour," is the magical time of day just before sunset, is perfect for outdoor fall portrait sessions. The soft, warm glow of the sun creates a stunning backdrop for your pictures, casting a beautiful golden light over your subjects. Your best shot at capturing this magical light is to book your session for the hour- hour and a half before sunset or the hour- hour and a half after sunrise. 

Finally- Have fun and capture candid moments

The most important thing of all, is to remember to have fun! This shouldn't be a stressful thing, I'm a mom, I get it! We want it to be perfect. Serious questions, is anything ever PERFECT!? Well yes, but it's the imperfections that make your family who you are as a unit, make it perfect. Great portraits come from capturing spontaneous moments while you and your family have a good time, yes, I always make sure we take some "traditionally posed" portraits, bit I also incorporate games or activities that bring out your family's personalities and showcase how much you love each other. This always result in fun and memorable candid moments that make for wonderfully unique portraits, that are just PERFECT! 

Fall portraits can be a beautiful and fun way to capture your family memories. By following these tips, you can ensure your photos showcase the beauty of the season, capture candid memories, feature a beautiful backdrop, and have your family looking their best. So grab your camera, choose a location, and most importantly, have fun capturing the beauty of this magical season.