Guest Post – Planning the Perfect Autumn-Themed Family Photo Shoot

Autumn is finally here – and there’s no better time than now to start thinking about doing an Autumn-themed family photo shoot. Colours in the Triad come alive during the Autumn; it’s one of the most heavily-visited “leaf peeper” spots in the south. Every mum wants the perfect family photo, but sometimes it takes more than just showing up in order to get it. There’s more work that goes into planning a photo than most people realize, and your results will echo the amount of effort you put in. 

Fortunately, there are a few things that can help you to plan the perfect photo shoot even if you’ve never really done one before. 

If you’ve never worked with a local photographer before, it may seem difficult to make a decision as to who you should hire for a family photo shoot. The Triad area is home to a great deal of talented photographers. Many local photographers specialise primarily in family photos. The Internet can be a great resource, as can referrals from friends and colleagues. 

Plan on meeting with at least a few photographers and sitting down to discuss what it is that you’re looking for in a photo. Don’t forget to ask to see samples of their work. If hiring a freelance photographer isn’t the right fit for you, don’t hesitate to contact a photo studio.

The setting you choose for your photo shoot will have a major impact on the end result. The setting should never go overlooked. With the beautiful colours brought on by Autumn foliage, it’s almost always best to take your photo shoot outdoors. You might want to choose your front lawn and get your home in the frame, for example, or perhaps visit a quiet wooded location like Washington Park to drive home the seasonal qualities of Autumn. All this being said, there’s nothing wrong with doing the shoot inside a studio and choosing an attractive Autumn-themed backdrop. The resulting photo will be dramatically different than one taken outdoors, but it can be just as effective if the right approach is taken.

Clothing can make or break any family photo, and seasonal photos are no different. Many families like to coordinate their clothing, such as choosing complementary or matching colours. While this can look great when properly pulled-off, it’s going to give your photo a very specific look. If you really want your photo to be authentic, it may be best to simply stick to the clothing your family wears on a regular basis. After all, there’s no reason to present a false sense of who you are. Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that clashing colours can be extremely unattractive in family photo shoots and should always be avoided. For best results, stick to Autumn colours such as orange, yellow and deep green, all of which can be quite complimentary to one another. 

With the right planning behind you, you can expect your photo shoot to go splendidly. What else do you need to plan for the perfect photo shoot? Share in the comments!

This post is protected under copyright. SusankMann 2009 – 2014