If you’re one of those folks who equate fall family pictures with fall colors… this post is for you! But not in the way that you’re thinking.
Each year, y’all agonize over when you should schedule photos for the fall to coincide with the best fall color. This is hard enough as it is in the Kansas City area. Each year is so. very. different. Will the leaves change early? Will they change late? Once they change, how long will it last? Is the photographer already booked?
There’s a lot that goes into answering all of these questions, such as: rain amounts earlier in the year, did we have a hot/dry summer or cool/wet, etc. and frankly we here at MIKE + JULIE | storytellers just don’t know. <said in my best Dr. McCoy from the original Star Trek voice> “Dang it Jim… I’m a photographer, not an arborist!” 😉
Family photos already come with their special set of stressors… there’s no need to add to it by falling into the trap of thinking fall photos HAVE to equal fall color. Your fall session can be just as epic without the color.
A few thoughts on a session without fall color:
🍁 Sessions can still feel cozy and fall-like without colored leaves in the background. Jeans, sweaters, and “wintery” clothes can go a long way in giving you that cozy fall vibe. Also, swap the color on the trees for the color on the sweater!
🍁 There are tons of location options to fit your style. Choosing a location for great fall color (that also has great lighting, hasn’t been discovered by the rest of Kansas City, as well as it being a generally cool spot) REALLY limits your choices of location.
🍁 Say it with us, “People trump location.” Sessions are about your family and your connections to each other rather than that maple tree gasping it’s last breath for the year in the background.
🍁 Your photos will be more versatile. Hanging a framed print or canvas on your wall with bright orange and red leaves filling the scene miiiiiiiight not go with your well thought out living room decor (see GIF below). Fall sessions with non-neon backgrounds, like the session below, will be more cohesive with your current home decor.
🍁 Schedule your photo shoot for a time that fits into your family’s schedule… not nature’s. Although, the longer into the year you put it off, the more likely there is for uncomfortably cold weather and rain/snow!
Whether you’re on the fall color bandwagon or not, we can all agree that fall is a great time for family pictures. The temps are milder and the outfits are cozier. But don’t wait too long to book. Mother Nature will be coming in with some cold and wet weather probably sooner than later and you don’t want to miss out!
Do you still need to schedule you family photos for this fall? Don’t put it off. Our schedule is filling up fast and colder weather waits for no one!
