Fall Portrait Tips
Southern California has a fall season. We do! It lasts about 2 weeks and then winter hits. So, if you’d like to get fall family portraits, you’ll need to act fast. Contact your photographer well in advance. It might end up being an “on call” type of situation. Fall is such a fun time of year. These are a few tips to prepare you and your family for your upcoming fall portraits.
Where to go.
Your photographer will know a few of the areas that have trees with autumnal colors.
Parks in Hesperia and Apple Valley have large trees and would make perfect locations. Mojave Narrows has pretty spots as well.
Head out to a local pumpkin patch like Live Oak Canyon or similar place to grab the cutest fall photos. Make a day of it after your portrait session, visit the local stores and restaurants.
Another location idea is if you know of a family member’s home with big trees that change color. Ask them if you could get your portraits done there. Take a bottle of cider to gift them, as a thank you.
Time of day matters. You’ll want to get your portrait done early in the day or in the evening- think golden hour. Mid-day is usually warmer, however, the sun can create some unflattering shadows. And, you’ll all be dressed warm and don’t want to overheat.
I spread her hair out to give it a Medusa vibe.
If you’re lucky to have large trees in your own yard, your photographer can take your portraits at your home. We have a huge mulberry tree in our yard. The leaves turn a few different shades of yellow and start to fall around early November. Last year, I seized the day and held a portrait session in my own backyard. The commute was easy too! Ha
Use an old porch to take a simple portrait with a pumpkin.
Eat before your portrait session.
This is a huge one. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve taken photos of children and they don’t want to cooperate because they haven’t been fed. The parent’s motto is always that they’re going to eat afterwards. However, children need to be fed. Getting your photos taken isn’t the highlight of little kids lives, and most adults, anyway. So if you make the photographer’s job a little easier by feeding everyone ahead of time, we’ll be super thankful. Think of “hangry” in an adult, well kids get the same way. Feed everyone a light breakfast, then go out to eat afterwards.
What to expect after your session.
I assure you, after your portraits are taken, your photographer will rush home to download the images on a hard drive along with the cloud. Depending on how many sessions they have going on, (it’s the busy season) they might edit them that weekend. For seasonal portraits, my own clients receive their photos within 1-2 weeks. I know you’ll want to post them on social media along with order prints, cards, and wall art. It never hurts to ask about your photos if they are taking more time than you anticipated.
That’s it. Those are a few simple tips for getting your fall portraits done. If you want to know how your session would go with me, you can read this along with a FAQ page. And, if you’d like to choose me as your photographer, click here. Or give me a call.
Happy Fall!
Annette
