It’s here! Finally … it’s fall. There’s pumpkin in my coffee … cute boots on my feet … and beautiful colors all around. It’s no wonder that it’s the busiest season of the year for portrait photographers … it’s just a lovely time of year. Whether you’ve booked a session with me or another photographer, here are a few tips to help you have a fabulous fall session.
- Schedule at a time when your children are happy. Yes, the hour before sunset is truly a golden hour and we photographers LOVE it. HOWEVER, all the buttery gold light in the world won’t save the session if your toddler is typically down for the count at 4:30. If you’ve got older children … then go for that gorgeous evening light (but pay CLOSE attention to when the sun will be setting on the day of your session … it’s setting earlier and earlier now.) However, if your kids are still young, pick the time when they’re happiest and then from there, choose a location that will work. If it just so happens that mid-day is the best time for your brood, that’s ok! It can be the trickiest time for lighting since the sun is so bright, though. So talk to your photographer ahead of time and make sure the location will have plenty of shady areas that will allow for beautiful pictures. It can be a challenge to work in a pumpkin patch or other open areas during the mid day; however, it’s less of a challenge than trying to get a tear-stained face to look happy. Happy people = happy pictures.
- Find that tree. All you need is one really good, colorful tree to make some beautiful fall pictures. So don’t panic if the leaves are all starting to fall and you haven’t had your session yet. Find that one tree, and you’re set!
- Aw, man! The leaves all fell and we haven’t had our session yet! (There’s always that one wind storm that seems to come through during the night so that you awaken to suddenly bare trees.) Have no fear … I guarantee you that if you peek around, you’ll find a park with lots of leaves covering the ground. Rake up a giant pile of them and throw your whole family in there. It will be your fallest fall shoot yet. (Eh hm, maybe keep some some allergy meds on stand by!)
- Layer your clothes. Fall is sooooo super tricky when it comes to weather. One minute it’s 46 and then next it’s 86. Choose an outfit for each member of the family that can easily be added on to or taken away from in order to keep people feeling comfortable. Happy people = happy pictures.
- Don’t schedule the session during game time! Well, this only matters if the people included in the picture are sports fans. I’ve seen my share of grumpy Dads over the years … and I can guarantee you that the quickest way to make Dad miserable on the shoot is to schedule it during a game. I know, I know … I’ve already said to schedule the shoot when the kids are happy … and now when Dad will be happy, too. It’s a lot! But again (say it with me) … happy people = happy pictures.
- Bring fall snacks. A thermos of hot chocolate. A few wrapped candy apples. Apple cider donuts in a basket. These would all be great fall snacks that will buy a little more picture time with an I’ve-just-about-had-it toddler and will look cute in the pictures at the same time! Don’t tell your little ones’ about it ahead of time, though; it will be hard to keep their minds focused on anything but the treat they know awaits them. So keep it in the trunk, and towards the end, you can surprise the gang with their fall snack. This will make for some reeeeeally big smiles : )
- It’s ok (beneficial even) to scour Pinterest looking for inspiration for your fall family photo session, but be ready to let go when you arrive at your session. Yes, use the ideas to plan a loose outline of how you’d like the session to go (and please share it with your photographer ahead of time, too!), but the moment that car door opens and you walk up to your photographer, it’s time to let go. I’ve had clients try to force their children to recreate a certain picture only to annoy the child to tears. Hire a great photographer, tell her about your vision, and then let go and let whatever is going to happen just happen. Every day is a different kind of day with kids … so trust your photographer to guide the process. I guarantee you that you’ll end up with an image that OTHERS want to pin.
- DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE to pick out your outfit. And mom, please pick out your outfit first. How many times have you looked at a photo of your child with a critical eye? How many times have you looked at a photo of YOURSELF with a critical eye? I already know the answer. Most women are terribly hard on themselves. So start by picking out something that makes YOU feel good. And then dress the family to coordinate with you. And whatever you do, don’t wait until the day of the session to pick out what you’re wearing. It’s hard to relax during a photo shoot if you’ve just spend the last hour racing about in a panic. Here are some more tips just for Moms.
- Don’t book a mini session if you really want a full one. Minis are a great way to get a few pictures of the family … especially if you’re looking for an image for a holiday card. Photographers are all different and what they offer with their minis (if they offer them at all) is going to vary. But essentially, a mini will be 10-20 minutes of shooting time and yield a handful of images. If you know in your heart of hearts that a quick session and a few images is NOT what you want, but you’re just trying to save some money, well 1.) I understand wanting to save money! but 2.) you’re actually going to waste that money because you’re probably not going to be happy with the outcome.
- Don’t wait too long to book. Fall is the busiest season of the year for portrait photographers. If you’re dreaming of a session during the peak of fall … well … so are a lot of people! So book as soon as you choose the photographer you know you want to work with. This is especially true if you want a very coveted weekend slot!
- Enjoy your images. I’m amazed when I hear story after story of Moms who worked so hard to find the perfect Pinspiration, then pick out the perfect outfits, work hard to have the perfect session — and then don’t do anything with their perfect images. If you are working with a photographer who sells prints … book time with her to sit down and pick out some prints that you will truly enjoy seeing in your home. Or, if you’ve opted to purchase digital negatives … please, please, please … do something with them! Check out mpix.com, pinholepress.com, artifactuprising.com for some awesome ways you can enjoy your pictures.
Happy Fall!!!!
XO,
Kate
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Photographers, if you’d like to share this information with your clients, you’re welcome to do so. Please just give me credit and link back to this page. Thank you!
I currently have a handful of sessions left for 2015. If you’d like to schedule in the Delaware area, Hudson Valley, or NYC, shoot me a line. I’d love to hear what kind of your session you’ve been dreaming about!
