Preparation is the key! This blog post will help you prepare for a fall family mini-session. A fall family photo session is an opportunity to freeze moments in time against the breathtaking fall backdrop. By carefully planning the location, outfits, and activities, you and your family can have a seamless and enjoyable experience and gorgeous photos to cherish forever! I hope you will find this article helpful and will feel better prepared and excited for your family portraits. As a Wake Forest family photographer love using the local parks for fall minis. The photo above was taken at the beautiful Forest Ridge Park, and all the photos below were taken at the Carroll Joyner Park in Wake Forest, NC.

What to wear for a fall family mini-session

The Colors

Start with assembling the outfits for the family as soon as you book your session. I love neutral colors, and earthy tones that complement the fall landscape. Deep reds, burnt oranges, and rich browns, all shades of beige work wonderfully. Be careful with patterns, it is easy to overdo it and too many patterns do not photograph well. While each family member can express their style, aim for a cohesive look. This doesn’t mean matching outfits, but rather colors and styles that complement each other. Choose colors that go well together. Imagine you are assembling one outfit when choosing colors and clothing for the family. I advise you to put all the outfits on a bed or other flat surface and see if everything looks good. Better yet, picture where you would like to display your family photo/s, do the colors you chose match that part of your house? Pinterest is a great source for fall family photo outfit inspirations!

The Accessories

Think about all the fun accessories you can add to your outfits – hats, jewelry, belts, bowties, headbands, bows etc. To enhance the fall feel you can incorporate seasonal accessories like scarves, hats, or boots. Layers and textures add depth to your outfits. Keep it balanced – too many accessories might clutter the photos and take attention away from the people.

The Comfort

Dress in layers to accommodate temperature changes. It’s easier to remove a layer if it gets warm than to endure discomfort throughout the session. Make sure the outfits fit well! Too big or too small clothing doesn’t photograph well! Choose footwear suitable for the terrain for the location of the photoshoot. I love it when women wear high heels (or any heels, wedges, etc) because it makes them feel good and looks great in photos! If you choose to wear heels I suggest bringing “walking” shoes and changing into heels right before the shoot.

Keep the little ones and husband:) happy during your family photos

Plan your session at a time when everyone is well-rested and in good spirits, especially if you have young children. It is good to have a snack or a meal before you get dressed for your fall family mini-session. I have photographed too many children who didn’t want to cooperate during photos only because they were hungry;(

Getting ready for a photo session takes time and it is not good to feel rushed, so if you can, plan your session on a weekend and make it the only thing you do that day! Take your time to prepare and make sure not to be late! After all mini photo session is pretty short, so you don’t want to shorten it even more by being late. I advise my clients to promise the children something special if they listen and cooperate during the photo session. Ice cream outing usually does the trick! If you don’t have children plan something special for yourselves. A date night after a photo session is a great idea, you already look great after all!

Incorporate Fall Props into your mini-session

Feel free to bring along props that capture the essence of fall, such as pumpkins, apples, or a cozy blanket. These props can be used creatively to add personality and charm to your photos. I love sitting poses, so I encourage you to bring a blanket you can sit on. Be mindful of not overusing props, as the focus should remain on your family. Please keep in mind bringing props is only a suggestion and it is not necessary for beautiful photos. Your family against a beautiful North Carolina fall backdrop guarantees amazing photos!

Be in the moment during your family mini-session

Be in the moment and don’t stress about the end result. You invested time and energy to well prepare for your fall family mini-session. Now it is time to let it go, be present, and enjoy the time with your loved ones. I will capture many beautiful photos, I promise! Relax, enjoy the time spent with your family, and I will catch some amazing moments that you can cherish forever!

To sum it up, with a little planning and attention to detail, your fall family photo session can be a joyful and memorable experience. I hope you found this article helpful and feel more confident about how to prepare for a fall family mini-session. I look forward to creating beautiful memories with you and your family during this enchanting season. Feel free to check out this fall photo session I photographed in Wake Forest, NC.