There is something magical about fall family photos.
The cooler air. The sweaters and layers. The golden light. The little pops of color beginning to show up in the trees. Being home by bedtime.
But if you’re planning fall family photos, you might be wondering:
When should we actually schedule them?
Should you wait until everything is bright orange and red?
Not necessarily.
In fact, I don’t think beautiful fall family photos are really about having the perfect amount of fall color.
Fall Photos Aren’t Really About the Leaves
Of course, I love a beautiful fall tree.
But when I’m photographing a family, I’m paying attention to much more than what’s happening in the background.
I’m looking for beautiful light.
I’m looking for a location where your kids can move and explore.
I’m looking for places where we can walk, snuggle, play, and interact.
And most importantly, I’m looking for the little moments happening between you.
The way your child reaches for your hand.
The way they laugh when Dad says something ridiculous.
The way your toddler runs ahead and then turns around to make sure you’re still there.
Those are the things I want your photographs to hold onto.
The leaves are just part of the setting.
You Don’t Need Peak Fall Color
One of the reasons I don’t recommend waiting for that one magical week when everything is perfectly colorful is that Washington fall doesn’t really work that way.
Different trees change at different times.
Some locations might be beautiful while another area is still mostly green.
And weather, schedules, school, activities, and everyone’s general availability don’t always cooperate with the leaves.
That’s okay.
A beautiful family session doesn’t depend on every tree being orange.
Sometimes a little green mixed with changing leaves creates a beautiful, natural fall setting.
Sometimes the photographs you love most won’t have a single colorful tree in them.
What I Look for in a Fall Location
When I’m choosing a location for a family session, I’m thinking about more than whether it has pretty trees.
I want somewhere that gives us room to make photographs happen naturally.
I look for:
- Beautiful, flattering light
- Interesting textures and layers
- A little bit of fall color
- Places to walk and explore
- Open areas as well as more sheltered spots
- Variety without needing to travel all over the place
- A setting that feels comfortable for children
Because your kids aren’t going to spend an hour standing underneath the prettiest tree while I photograph them.
And I don’t want them to.
We’ll move around.
We’ll play.
We’ll explore.
We’ll stop for snuggles.
We’ll make silly faces and tell jokes.
And I’ll look for the beautiful moments happening along the way.
Fall Family Photos Should Still Feel Like Your Family
This is especially important to me.
I don’t want your fall photos to look like a family dropped into a Pinterest-perfect fall scene and told to smile.
I want them to look like your family in the fall.
If your kids are silly, we’ll embrace that.
If they’re energetic, we’ll move.
If they’re shy, we’ll give them time.
If they want to be close to you, we’ll make room for that.
The goal isn’t to make your children behave perfectly long enough to get a photograph.
The goal is to give them enough space to be themselves while I photograph what happens.
And sometimes, those little in-between moments end up being the photographs you treasure most.
So When Should You Book Your Fall Session?
If you’re hoping for fall color, I’d recommend choosing your date based on the general timing of fall in your area rather than trying to predict the exact day every leaf will be at its peak.
But even more importantly:
Don’t wait so long for the “perfect” fall day that you miss the season entirely.
Your family doesn’t need perfect weather.
Your kids don’t need perfect behavior.
And the trees don’t need to be completely covered in orange.
You just need to show up as you are.
I’ll take care of the rest.
Fall Minis or a Full Family Session?
If you’re thinking about fall photos but aren’t sure which type of session makes sense for your family, I offer both.
Fall Minis are a great fit if you want a handful of updated family photographs, your kids do well with shorter bursts of time, or you want something simple and easy.
Full sessions give us more time to slow down, explore, play, and capture a wider variety of your family. And to let shyer children warm up.
Neither is better.
They’re simply different experiences for different families.
If you’ve been thinking about fall photos, now is a good time to get on the calendar.
View Full Fall Family Sessions
View Fall Mini Family Sessions
Because years from now, I don’t think you’ll look at these photographs and wish there had been three more orange leaves in the background.
You’ll look at your children and remember exactly who they were that fall.
