Fall is here and it’s the perfect time for family photos. The pumpkin patch, hay rides, corn mazes it’s our kids favorite time of the year. It’s natural to want to capture their energy and excitement at this short period of their lives before they grow up too quick. You may be thinking, but I don’t have a fancy or expensive camera, how can I take great photos of my kids having fun in the fall? Well thanks to modern technology your phone is all you need and I’m going to show you how to capture memories that you will cherish forever.
1.Get on the Kids Level!
We as adults are use to looking down at our kids. When you bring the camera down to their level your photos will take a life of their own. Seeing the world from their perspective is so much more interesting to look at! Also get closer to your kids. The digital zoom on phones is not good. Physically getting closer to them makes the photos feel alive. A good rule of thumb is if you think you are close enough, take another step closer.
Eye Level is Much More Compelling!
2.Show off Those Fall Colors!
One of the reasons we love fall so much is the plethora of beautiful colors we are surrounded with. Deep reds, oranges, tans, dark greens it’s a shame that it only lasts just a few weeks before its gone. So capture the family in all of nature's glory. Go to a local park, Some my favorite locations for fall family photos are Fort Harrison State Park in Lawrence, Broad Ripple park, and Eagle Creek State Park on Indys northwest side these places offer plenty of outdoor space surrounded by the beautiful changing leaves.
So Much Color!
3.Keep the Sun Behind You
What do you do when the sun is in your eyes? You squint. When was the last time you used a squinting photo as your profile picture? Probably never. Keeping the sun behind you so that its hitting your backs is the easiest way to ensure great light even light on your faces and that everyone is squint free!
Not only is the light on their face even and soft but the sunset is beautiful behind them!
4.Burst Mode
Did you know that when you hold down the camera button on your phone it will take a burst of 10 photos per second until you let go? They should just call this “Kids Mode” as any parent knows how hard it is to capture the perfect moment of their kids mid laugh or smile. Using burst mode allows you to take 20-30 photos at a time, then go back and find the picture perfect moment later!
Throwing The Perfect Handful of Leaves is More Than Just Luck!
5.Use the Self Timer!
These tips have been helpful for capturing photos of the kids but what if you want a photo of the whole family? As the family photographer I know how it can seem impossible to get photos with yourself in them. You don’t want to look back at your family photos when the kids are all grown up only to find you don’t have any photos of yourself. The self timer was made just for you! On your phone you can set a 3 or 10 second timer. Simply get the family together (remember to have the sun behind you!) set the camera up and select the 10 second timer, run back to your family and boom you have a family photo with everyone in it! BONUS TIP! If you have an iphone and an apple watch you can use your watch as your phones camera remote! You can even see what the photo will look like and make sure everyone looks their best!
6.Know When to Call It Quits!
Kids… have a mind of their own and then they are done, they are done. It’s hard to convince them otherwise. Remember that family photos should be a fun and memorable experience of the whole family together playing and enjoying each others company and not just something to post online. If this is your first time getting out and taking photos of the family yourself it can be tough to get all the perfect shots and you might feel the pressure that nothing is working and now the kids are done. Take a deep breath and let them be done. You had a great time outside with the family. Getting frustrated that the photos didn’t turn out will only make them resent the camera next time you bring it out and photography should be fun.
There will come a time to just put down the camera and let the kids play!
Now armed with these tips I am confident that you are ready to go out and capture some great family photos in nature's illustrious beauty. Maybe all this talk about cameras is too much to learn before the fall colors are at their height but you still want some family photos that won’t cost an arm and a leg? Consider a Fall Family Mini Session. These 20 minute sessions ensure the kids have fun playing and won’t meltdown all while being able to capture those incredible memories before they are gone too quick. And at just $99 you don’t have to worry about breaking the holiday gift budget either because family photos are also a great gift for the grandparents!
Book your Fall Family Mini Session today and get a bonus Custom Facebook Cover Photo that will perfectly match your new profile picture of you and your husband. Spaces are limited to just 20 families so book your mini session today before they are all gone!
