Tips on Taking Fall Photos

Most people head out to take photographs in the Fall because of one reason: the changing of the leaves. Ordinary greens turn to vibrant reds, oranges and golds which makes for a beautiful photo back drop. Plus, with the leaf throwing and leaf gathering, who can resist snapping a few shots?

Grab your camera and enjoy this wonderful season. Here are some tips on how to get the best of it:

Create a Day-of Photo Checklist

Day-of photo shoots can be a little stressful. Prepare ahead of time by creating a photo checklist for your photographer, including preferred poses, outfit changes, and location ideas. This will help the day go by faster, helping you feel more organized and on top of things. (You can use this one for example):

Time Your Photos for the Best Lighting

Decide how much sun you want and time your photos around the outside lighting. The good thing about the sun is that it is always predictable. Make sure you’re keeping track of the sun’s schedule for the day so that you can take advantage of the best natural lighting. As the days get shorter, the sunset moves earlier. Don’t let darkness sneak up on you by always checking the web. Afterall, most everyone has a smart phone which comes with a weather app built right in.

Plan Your Outfits Appropriately

One of the most important Fall photo DO’s: Coordinate, don’t match! Choose a color scheme – mix and match colors so that everyone flows and coordinates – but let’s face it, being too “matchy-matchy” is outdated. Picking outfits for the entire family can be overwhelming, so try starting with one outfit that you absolutely love and build the other outfits around it. Lastly, think timeless! Choose outfits that aren’t necessarily “in” for right now, but outfits that will be “in” for years to come, something a little more neutral.

Simple is Better

Don’t overdo your outfits, props, background or even smiles. Start your session with a straight forward portrait, leveraging the beauty of the foilage in the background. The more natural, the better. Afterall, an epic landscape portrait may be your favorite but the one you’re going to want hanging up on your wall may be the most basic of the bunch.

Choosing Your Background

Decide before-hand what you want in your background. Some people prefer using a natural background, letting nature provide the lighting and imagery, while some prefer to bring props such as pumpkins, signs, or other various fall-themed props. Whatever you decide to go with, make sure it doesn’t clash with your outfits. Too many patterns and colors can create a distracting photo. Photographic backgrounds make up a huge part of the final shot. When used correcty, a good backdrop can greatly enhance the subject’s appearance without detracting focus from it. To get the best shots, keep a variety of background materials on hand at all times, and never be afraid to try something new.

Lastly, don’t forget to backup your new photos with Picture Keeper Connect. Once your photos are backed up, you can choose to print them, save them on the device for later, or download them to your computer. Connect makes your Fall photo-taking process a LOT easier!