- Capture the magic of fall with these expert tricks, strategies and editing tips to transform your autumn family photos into cherished memories.
When a family contacts me to "freeze time" with autumn family photos, we start planning from the beginning to get the best results. We spend time chatting getting to know who the family is; what makes them tick; what they like to do as a family; what's the best location and timing for kids; and, later on - during the in-home consultation - we talk about what wardrobe would make them feel both gorgeous and true to their individual souls.
All of our clients get a complimentary in-home consultation, hair and makeup, as well as design & wall art installation! It's true full service, we love pampering our clients!
During our Fall Season, we have a moving target, the leaves change constantly. It's so fun to scout, style, and create EPIC memories during Boston's most breathtaking season!!!
Information is the power to get the best family photos!! Here are some expert tips, tricks, and strategies to capture the beauty of the season:
Emphasize the Rich Colors of Fall
Autumn is known for its breathtaking palette of reds, oranges, yellows, and browns. When I'm editing your family photos, these natural colors will make the portrait pop. We use fine art techniques in editing to enrich the hues making them look jaw-dropping. We pay special attention to the balance so that the colors remain true to life.
Utilize Natural Light for a Warm Glow
Natural light can add a beautiful, warm glow to your autumn family photos. This is why we have to capture your images during the golden hours—shortly after sunrise or just before sunset—for the best lighting conditions. This time of day provides soft, diffused light that enhances the warm tones of fall. Timing is Key for Natural Light.
We will schedule your shoot during the Golden Hour, in the early morning or late afternoon for the best natural light.
If your family are early birds, consider doing a sunrise session!!! In October is not that early, the sunrise session will begin ay 7am. It's doable AND an epic experience!
If your family like to sleep in, sunset sessions are meant to be! Your photographer will find hidden gems where Mother Nature is glowing and you don't have to deal with crowds!
When editing, I enhance this natural light by adjusting the warmth and shadows. I increase the warmth slightly to bring out the golden tones and use the shadows to add depth without losing details.
Choose the right location
I'm ALL about POETIC locations! We'll scout big time, all year round. We love finding hidden gems that take your breath away to create THE most emotive memories.
My favorite time is scouting with my girls to research local peak foliage, when leaves are at their most vibrant in the area. It must be planned ahead of time, but near enough of the scheduled family session to get the desired background.
Choosing the Right Location: A well-chosen background can make your autumn family photos even more stunning. There are plenty of options in the beautiful State of Massachusetts:
- Parks and Forests: Look for local parks with a variety of trees for colorful leaves.
- Fields and Farms: Consider visiting pumpkin patches or apple orchards for a seasonal touch.
- Waterfronts: Lakes or rivers reflect autumn colors beautifully.
- The City: Boston is also an epic location, BUT it gets so crowded with tourists. I only shoot sunrise at the city, we start at Acorn St and we then walk to Boston Public Garden! We're done by the time the first resident grabs his coffee! It's the best!
Perfect the Background with Seasonal Elements
We can incorporate props like:
- Seasonal Items: Use pumpkins, leaves, or blankets as props for a cozy feel.
- Family Activities: Capture candid moments like jumping in leaves, picking apples, or cuddling on a cute fence :)
When editing, we will remove any distractions and keep the focus on your beautiful family.
Additionally, we can adjust the sharpness and clarity of the background to make it complement, rather than overshadow, the subjects. This helps in creating a balanced and harmonious image.
Choose the Wardrobe
Choose warm tones that match with autumn nature.
Layer Up: Fall is chilly; layer with sweaters, scarves, and hats to keep warm and stylish.
Color Coordination: Opt for earthy tones (mustard, burgundy, olive green) that complement the autumn landscape. For all my clients, we consider 2 color palettes. Your home decor's & the location's. We want to make sure that when you display your photos on the walls at home, the aesthetics work beautifully. Your interior design at home will be the main driver when picking colors for your outfits :)
Textures Matter: Incorporate cozy materials like knits and flannels for added warmth and visual interest.
Highlight Family Bonds
The composition of your photo is crucial in highlighting the bonds within your family. As a professional photographer, we always arrange family members in a way that showcases their relationships—holding hands, sharing a laugh, or a group hug.
During the session kids run wild, parents hug, we play, we talk, we have so much fun. It's all about capturing unexpected candid moments, the true essence of your family.
Candid vs. Posed Shots
- Mix It Up: Our goal is to capture both posed family portraits and candid moments to tell a complete story.
- Encourage Interaction: We ask family members to interact naturally, which often leads to more authentic expressions.
Add Finishing Touches with Filters and Effects
In the editing phase, we consider cropping and rotating the image to perfect the composition, and might also play with shadows and highlights to draw attention to the faces and expressions of your family members.
Once we've made all the essential edits, we add some finishing touches that enhance the autumnal colors and tones while keeping the natural look of the photo. Some photographers use vintage or warm-toned filters for fall photos, we prefer to keep the true-to-tone approach enhancing the tones our camera picked up. These final touches can transform a good photo into an epic one.
Plan for the Unexpected
Even though sessions are planned according to family time availability and weather conditions, we need to be ready to adapt the shots based on changing light or unexpected moments. This is part of the fun.
By harnessing the beauty of autumn and these expert tips and tricks, we can create stunning family photos that capture the warmth and joy of the season. Enjoy the process, and make lasting memories!
Love,
