Fall Photo Sessions | 3 Things Your Photographer Wants You To Know

Gabriela Sánchez
Aug 21, 2022
3 min read

Updated: Oct 8, 2022

I'm sure I don't need to explain the phenomenon that occurs when the leaves start changing into beautiful colors, the weather is cooler with a gentle breeze every now and then, leaves cover the ground to make virtually any landscape appear to be as if from a painting... And of course, our desire to take photos in such beautiful landscapes! Cue the high interest in Fall Photo Sessions.

Dun! Dun! Dun! 🎶

While this time can be (and is!) beautiful, it can also get a little stressful if you're trying to make sure you visit your coffee shop for your favorite seasonal drinks, go to a pumpkin patch with your loved ones, go on a hike, oh! And of course, take your annual Fall photos with your local photographer. In this post, I will share 3 things myself (and I am sure other photographers) want you to know about how to have beautiful, stress-free and fun Fall photos, all while enjoying the best of this wonderful season. Let's get to it!

1. Book Your Session Early

I mean it. As in, yesterday. Most photographers are usually booked for the Fall months as early as April or May - that's an entire 5 months before you even feel the weather changing and see the leaves turning. Booking early allows you the peace of mind that your photo session is penciled in both for you and your photographer. You'll have time to decide if you'll want other services, like hair & makeup, and book your vendors for that date too. Not to mention, you won't have to scramble for your outfit(s), or feel like you have to settle for what you have in your closet.

2. Timing for Foliage

Personally, I would aim for booking your session sometime in October. This is the month that I have seen the most color variety, when trees are still full of leaves, but you can find many on the ground as well. The weather tends to be still in between warm and cold, so you have more options when it comes to outfits, and no one has to worry about shivering through their session. Having said this, I have also had sessions in September, and even into early December, which also turn out beautiful. Of course, I would want a magic wand to have the perfect conditions for each and every session, but fortunately, that responsibility does not fall on me - thanks, Nature! So, in the meantime, all we can do is be grateful and flexible with whatever the season brings. I promise, months or years down the road, you'll care more about the hugs and giggles you document with your loved ones, rather than the color of the leaves around you 😉

3. What to Wear

I always tell my clients, when it comes to any family photo session, you don't have to get all 'matchy-matchy', and you also don't have to break the bank getting brand new outfits to wear for the day. If that's your jam, by all means, live your best life. However, at the end of the day, make sure you show up looking like and feeling like yourself. For a nice contrast with the environment, I would suggest colors like burgundy, cream/white, purples, blues and deep greens are great. Whatever your choice, I encourage my clients to dress in layers, since the temperature is always unpredictable and can change a lot during the time of your session. One final note: make sure you and your loved ones are comfortable. The last thing you want is being restricted in movement due to your outfit, or feeling stressed out over your littles getting their brand new outfit dirty - let them be themselves, and I promise you your photos will turn out all the better for it!