Fall is here, and that means it’s time for brisk mornings, cozy layers, festive pumpkin patches, the aromatic smell of spiced pie and pumpkin spiced lattes, and so much more. Sure, there are a lot of things about autumn that can’t be captured easily with a camera, but fortunately, there is still a lot that great photography can spotlight. Among them, fall colors. The magnificent hues and color schemes associated with this time of year are unmatched! The foliage is filled with gorgeous yellows, ambers, and oranges. This is what makes fall, above all other seasons, a great time of year to get your beautiful family together for a photo opportunity.
But because fall photography is such a unique experience, it can sometimes be a bit tricky to stage elements that will make your photos pop. That’s why we’ve put together this brief primer to help you make sure you make the most of your fall family photoshoot.
3 Pro Tips for Photographing in Fall
1) Research Locations and Time Your Shoots to the Season
It can be tempting to peep your backyard, see the leaves turning, and want to stage a photoshoot right then and there, but you have much to gain by expanding your horizons (literally). Depending on where you live, you can find some truly stunning backdrops, particularly in nature. If you’re in New England, anytime from September to November will yield some pretty incredible color palettes across the many forested areas. In Colorado, however, you may not see fall colors until late October. Also dependent on location is the timing for iconic autumnal crops that make for great props, like pumpkins and gords. On the East coast, pumpkin season starts mid-September and runs through October. You may have to do a bit of research to find a local farm that does a pick-your-own pumpkin event—and some even offer hayrides—so if you’re hoping for a baby photoshoot in the pumpkin patch, be sure to plan accordingly.
2) Select the Right Time of Day
People are obsessed with sunrises, and for good reason. The searing reds, purples, and blues of a sunrise, particularly juxtaposed against the already vibrant colors of fall, make for amazing pictures. But not enough is said on behalf of the sunrise (though the time of day is not ideal for those who like to sleep in). In the wee hours of the morning, after a cold and wet autumn night, you’re more likely to capture this foggy aesthetic, especially if you stage the photoshoot near a lake. You might even get some steam coming off the water — just make sure the kiddos don’t fall in.
3) Don’t Get Sidelined by Weather
Fall is a beautiful time of year to get your family members together and take pictures, but if you’re planning on being outdoors, it can be a bit unpredictable, as fall is also known for its harsher weather. As long as you don’t mind a bit of the chill, rainy days can make for even more interesting and eye-catching photo opportunities than a cloudless sky. And a bit of snow on the ground never hurt anybody. And if you get lucky, you might even catch a rainbow, which could make for a family portrait that will stand the test of time.
5 Staging and Outfit Ideas for Fall Family Pictures
1) Foliage Fun
Your kiddos will love you for this one. For once, they’re not raking the leaves; they get to play in them. Romping around in the fallen foliage is one of the ultimate joys of childhood, and that gaiety will certainly translate well onto the camera. Leafy shots are best taken early mornings on a sunny day, but make sure the light is not too direct. In fact, best to find a shady area, which will bring out the contrast between the foreground and the brightness of the backdrop. As for family picture outfits, the dark blue of denim jeans offers a fantastic color contrast to the rustiness of the leaves. Try to choose tops in a lighter color, that will stand out, like white.
2) Pumpkin Patch
Visiting a pumpkin patch to pick pumpkins (or simply to let the kids frolic in the fresh fall air) is one of the best traditions associated with this time of year. Pumpkins really are the iconic imagery of this season. We use them for everything: Halloween decorations, ingredients for food (like pumpkin pie), and also… as photo props. Try to visit a farm before staging your shoot, to make sure the setting is what you want, as not all farms place the same amount of stock in the tradition. Those that do might offer better scenery, which could include scarecrows and hayrides. The best pumpkin patch pictures are more candid, like kids running through the fields, or the family sitting on stacks of hay (another fantastic prop). Direct sunlight is perfectly fine for these types of shots. Don’t overthink it; just go for it.
3) Leafy Baby
If you’ve got a new member of the family, don’t resist the temptation to let him or her steal the show. Solo baby pictures in fall are so adorable. There are countless ways to stage these. You could place your little one in some leaves, or stack him or her on a hay bale. Just make sure that whatever he or she is wearing won’t clash with the autumn colors. You can’t go wrong with a white jumper (though it may get a little dirty).
4) Cozy Sweaters
Brr, it’s cold outside! Sweaters aren’t just practical accessories; they also visually communicate a sense of coziness, security, and warmth — and the chunkier the better in many cases. The type of sweater really depends on the aesthetic you’re going for. You could choose funky sweaters to poke fun at the seriousness of the upcoming holiday season. Or maybe something simple, with neutral color, like grey, beige, and rose, may really bring out the amber color of a leafy, forested backdrop.
5) Mad for Plaid
Plaid and fall go together like peanut butter and jelly. This tartan-patterned fabric was often worn by woodland workers in the Northeast Kingdom, and valued because the flannel itself is hearty and warm. But you don’t have to be a lumberjack these days to swaddle yourself in some colorful plaid. Try pairing different patterns across family members. And don’t forget the little ones, because there is, of course, nothing cuter than babies swaddled in plaid.
How to Make Your Fall Photos Pop
Picsart offers a number of amazing editing capabilities that can give your fall photos a crisp, professional look. Here’s how:
- Open the Picsart Editor on desktop or mobile and upload your fall image.
- Select Tools on the menu bar.
- Here you can choose from a variety of tools like Adjust, which will help you to increase or decrease brightness, contrast, saturation, and more in your image. Apply Filters (we like the Spice Filters to bring out the oranges in nature at this time of the year). Search for Stickers using keywords like “fall” “autumn” or “foliage.” Apply Text Styles to customize your edit with add warm wishes, the date, or your family’s surname.
- When you’re done editing, Save and Download your completed fall family photo to share with your friends.
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