There is nothing quite like fall in Maplewood, New Jersey. The leaves are crisp and burnt orange. The air is cool but comfortable. It is my favorite time of year for outdoor family photos, and I will tell you why.

Golden Hour

Outdoor sessions in the summer are beautiful but often need to be scheduled past bedtime for the younger children. I like to schedule outdoor sessions during what is known as the "golden hour" before sunset. In the summer, this can be around 8 p.m. However, in the fall, the best lighting aligns perfectly with my clients’ schedules.

Layers

Another reason I love fall family photos is the layered outfits. It is much easier to coordinate family outfits when everyone is able to wear several visible layers. For example, the day we took these sister portraits, it was a little chilly, so we really focused on layers for both girls. I keep my studio wardrobe stocked with layering options such as tights and sweaters. Both the girls and their mom are wearing outfits completely from our studio wardrobe.

Temperatures

Although Charlotte’s session was a little chilly, fall sessions are usually done in favorable temperatures. Compared to frigid winter weather, or hot and humid summer weather, fall photo sessions feel comfortable for everyone involved. It is also fun to pose in cooler weather. To keep everyone warm and happy, we did several snuggle sessions throughout our time together. We even pulled out a large, cozy blanket for everyone to wrap up together. These mother-daughter portraits are some of my favorites.

Fall Colors

One of the most obvious benefits of fall family photos is the fall colors. I have several locations up my sleeve where we can create gorgeous portraits with backgrounds of breathtaking fall foliage. I like to schedule sessions when the leaves have changed colors but haven’t started falling quite yet. As you can see in Charlotte’s family photos, the deep greens and bright yellows in the trees complement their neutral outfit choices wonderfully.

Holiday Photos

Fall is also the best time to schedule family photos that will be used for Holiday cards. I would plan to have your session earlier in the fall so that we have plenty of time to go through the photos and choose your favorite images to print. I love holiday cards. They are the perfect way to utilize your family photos and share stories and updates with your loved ones from the past year.

While I do love fall and all of the benefits that it has to offer, I do not offer many sessions at this time of year. I need to keep space open in my schedule in case anyone needs to reschedule due to poor weather, sickness, etc. Unfortunately, both Charlotte and her sister had a touch of sickness during our first scheduled session. Luckily, we were able to find more time before the colorful leaves fell so that we could take more photos when the girls were feeling better.

As I said, there is nothing quite like fall in Maplewood. Reach out today if you would like to secure one of my limited fall sessions.