How to Take Great Outdoor Family Pictures in Fall

Lighting

Natural lighting really does make all the difference. With the change in the season, fall lighting can provide you with some perfect angles, as the sun sets earlier and all of angles change. There’s an earlier, golden hour, if you want to get outside and capture the warm glow of the setting sun.

To capture this image, head outside about an hour before the sun sets in your area. Enjoy spending time with your children out of doors,  just taking random shots of what they’re doing. Live shots are the best type.

Fall Colors

Family pictures in the fall is such a great idea, not just because of the weather, but also because of the colors. There’s no season that has such a wonderful mix of color with orange pumpkins, mix of green, yellow, and red leaves, and the blue sky above you. The best part is that it’s easy to take advantage of all these colors.

Dress your family in a good contrast color, one that will really make those background colors pop. Use a camera that will let you increase the saturation or vibrancy settings. You can even add in some saturation when you edit your images.

Seasonal Opportunities

The colors are a big part of the season, but don’t forget that fall is a time when there are lots of animals around too. Keep your eyes open for opportunities to include them in your pictures, although make sure to prioritize your safety when it comes to wildlife.

While you’re at it, do make sure that you remember to protect your equipment. It can begin to rain suddenly in the fall, so always be prepared to cover your camera.

Speaking of seasonal opportunities, don’t forget to do the classic leaf pile in your images. Think about using the leaves in a new way, like crumbling them in front of the camera or tossing them up in the air.

The

Perfect Shot

It can be difficult to get the absolute perfect shot, but there are a few shots that will provide you with a wonderful picture. Think about doing an overhead shot where you take the picture from above while your child or family member lies on the ground below. Colorful leaves underneath them will add some great texture and color.

Before you take your shot though, walk around to find just the right place. Look at the scene from every perspective to find the point of view that works for you. Use your subject to enhance the scene, and get close to the scenery and colors that you’re looking for. Don’t limit yourself: experiment with what’s around you.

Working with your Camera

You can set the scene and have everyone dressed up perfectly, but that won’t matter much if you are not familiar with how to use your camera. Knowing your camera and a few of it’s settings will help you take a much better shot.

First off, know that the aperture will set the depth of the field. The camera will work automatically to set the shutter speed for you, and you can also use a tripod to help the set the focus and provide stability. If you then set a shallow depth, it will help you focus on the main subject a little better.

Don’t be afraid to experiment either. When you’re taking photos, check the white balance, and adjust it depending on what you think looks better and what the weather is doing that day.

On sunny days, you might see softer colors. But depending on the weather, you’ll likely see some different results. The same is true with the ISO settings. On dark days, try a higher setting if you would like a bit of a grainier look.

Think about adding a few filters too. You can cut out morning mist or reflective glares with a polarizing filter. This filter will  deepen the blue of the sky too. If the sky is too bright, a graduated neutral density filter will help with the exposure and enable those fall colors stand out.