There’s something so special about fall family photos! The cooler weather, changing leaves, and cozy outfits make it one of my favorite times of year to photograph families. But if you're planning family photos this fall, there are a few things you can do ahead of time to make your session feel less stressful and a lot more fun.

As a Charlotte and Lake Norman family photographer, I want your photos to feel like your family. That means choosing a location you love, wearing outfits that feel like you, and letting your kids be kids. You don't need everyone perfectly posed and smiling at the camera in every single photo to walk away with a gallery you'll love!

Here are a few of my favorite tips for planning your fall family photos.

1. When Should You Book Your Fall Family Photos?

If you're hoping for fall family photos in Charlotte, my biggest piece of advice is to book early! Ideally, you'll want to start planning your session during the summer. I actually had a family book their fall photos in August this year, and that's a great example of when you should be thinking ahead if you have a specific date or time in mind.

By the beginning of October, most of my prime fall session times are typically already full. The most popular dates and times tend to go first, especially if you're hoping for that beautiful evening light or need a particular weekend to work around everyone's schedules. Of course, if you're reading this in October, don't count yourself out just yet! I still keep a handful of November dates available when possible, so it's always worth reaching out to see what I have left.

The earlier you book, the more flexibility you'll have when choosing your date, location, and time of day. Plus, you'll have more time to plan outfits without feeling rushed!

2. Coordinate Your Outfits, Don't Match Them

One of the questions I get asked most often is what everyone should wear for family photos. My biggest tip? Coordinate your outfits rather than having everyone wear the exact same thing! You know those photos where everyone is wearing matching white shirts and jeans? There's nothing wrong with that if it's your style, but you definitely don't have to dress your entire family alike to create beautiful, cohesive photos.

Instead, start by choosing a color palette with a few complementary colors. For fall, I love seeing warm neutrals, creams, browns, muted greens, rust, burgundy, and soft blues. You can mix different shades and textures to create a look that feels put together without being too uniform.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning your outfits:

Start with one outfit you love. Sometimes it's easiest to choose mom's outfit first and build the rest of the family's outfits around it.
Mix colors within the same palette. Everyone doesn't need to wear the same color. If one person wears a patterned dress with a few colors in it, you can pull those colors into the other outfits.
Play with textures and layers. Sweaters, knits, denim, linen, and subtle patterns can add variety and interest to your photos.
Think about the location. Your outfits should complement the setting. Warm, earthy colors can look beautiful in a field, while softer neutrals might work well in a park with lots of greenery.
Choose clothes you feel comfortable in. If you're constantly adjusting your outfit or your kids are uncomfortable in theirs, it's going to be harder to relax and enjoy the session.

Most importantly, wear something that feels like you! Your photos should reflect your family, not make you feel like you're dressing up to be someone else.

3. Choose a Location That Fits Your Family

Your location can make a big difference in the overall look and feel of your family photos. Some families love an open field with tall grass, while others prefer a park with lots of trees, a lakeside setting, or a more urban backdrop. When choosing a location, think about what your family enjoys and what kind of photos you want to look back on. Do you love the outdoors? Would your kids be happier somewhere they can walk around and explore? Are you hoping for a classic, timeless look or something a little more playful?

I also like to consider the ages of your children when helping families choose a location. If you have little ones who love to run around, a spot with room to move and explore can make the experience much more enjoyable. If you're not sure where to start, I've put together a whole blog about choosing the right location for your family photos!

Read my guide to choosing a location for your family photos here!

I'll help you find a spot that fits your vision and works well for your family.

4. What Time of Day Is Best for Family Photos?

Light is one of the biggest factors in creating beautiful outdoor photos, but the best time for your session isn't just about the light. It's also about your family's schedule! Evening sessions are popular because the light is often soft and beautiful as the sun gets closer to the horizon. However, I know that waiting until the evening isn't always ideal when you have little ones who are used to eating dinner or going to bed early.

In fact, morning sessions can be a great option for families with young children. If your little ones are happiest earlier in the day, there's no reason to force an evening session when everyone might be tired and ready for bed.

I always encourage families to think about when their kids are typically in the best mood. Are they happy and energetic in the morning? Do they need an afternoon nap? Would an evening session mean pushing bedtime a little too far?

There's no one-size-fits-all answer, and I'd much rather help you choose a time that works for your family than have everyone show up exhausted.

I go into more detail about this in my blog about the best time of day for family photos, including how I approach morning and evening sessions.

Read my guide to the best time of day for family photos here!

5. Let Your Kids Be Kids (And Make the Session Fun!)

If there's one thing I want parents to know before their family session, it's that your kids don't have to be perfectly behaved for us to get beautiful photos. Some of my favorite images happen in between the posed moments. It's the way your toddler reaches for your hand, your kids start laughing at something silly, or everyone ends up in a big family hug. Those little moments are often the ones you'll treasure most. And sometimes, the best way to get those moments is to give your kids something fun to do!

If you have little ones...

Feel free to bring along a few things to keep them entertained. Bubbles, chalk, a favorite small toy, or another activity they enjoy can be a great way to help them relax and feel comfortable. We can take a few traditional portraits and then let them play a little, too. Sometimes having something familiar nearby helps take the pressure off, especially if your child is shy or needs a little time to warm up.

I also recommend keeping snacks and water handy, especially for longer drives to the location. A hungry toddler and a photo session aren't always the best combination!

And please don't feel like you need to apologize if your child isn't looking at the camera or smiling on command. That's completely okay. We'll work with their personalities and let the session unfold naturally.

If you have older kids...

Older kids can bring a different kind of challenge! They may be able to follow directions more easily, but getting natural expressions and helping everyone feel comfortable in front of the camera can sometimes take a little more direction. I don't want your teenagers to feel like they're stuck smiling for the camera for 30 minutes straight. We'll mix in different poses, movement, walking, and opportunities to interact with one another so the photos don't all feel the same.

And if your kids love joking around with each other, let them! Those real interactions can make for some of the sweetest photos.

My goal is to help everyone feel comfortable enough to relax and enjoy being together. You don't have to know how to pose, and your kids don't have to be professional models. That's what I'm here for!

6. Do You Need a Longer Family Photo Session?

For most families, a standard 30-minute session is plenty of time to capture a variety of beautiful images. You don't necessarily need to book a longer session to get a full gallery of photos you'll love. However, there are a few situations where I might recommend allowing extra time.

Larger families who want a lot of variety

If you have a family of six, for example, and everyone genuinely enjoys being photographed, a longer session might be a great fit. Especially if you're hoping for several combinations of group photos, individual portraits of the kids, and plenty of images of everyone together. When you have multiple children, there are more combinations to photograph, and having extra time can give us room to capture those without feeling rushed.

Extended family sessions

This is probably the biggest reason I'd recommend booking more time! Are you hoping to get photos of your family along with your parents, your sister's family, and all the cousins together? That's wonderful, but it's a little different from a standard family session.

We'll want photos of the entire group, each individual family, the grandparents with their grandchildren, the cousins together, and potentially a few other combinations. That's a lot to fit into 30 minutes! For extended family sessions, I recommend discussing your group size and the combinations you'd like ahead of time so we can plan enough time to capture everything.

Ultimately, the right session length depends on the size of your family, how many combinations you want, and what you're hoping to get out of the experience. If you're unsure which option makes the most sense, I'm always happy to help you decide!

7. Remember What Your Family Photos Are Really About

I know planning family photos can sometimes feel like a lot. You're coordinating everyone's schedules, figuring out outfits, trying to make sure the kids cooperate, and hoping everything comes together. But here's your reminder that your family doesn't have to be perfect to deserve beautiful photos.

Your kids might get a little silly. Someone might need a snack break. You might have to remind everyone to look at the camera a few times. That's real life, and it's okay! Some of the best family photos aren't the ones where everyone is smiling perfectly at the same time. They're the ones that capture your family's personalities, the way your kids interact with each other, and the little moments you might not even realize you'll miss someday.

Years from now, you'll be glad you have photos of your family just as you were in this season of life. That's what I want your family session to be about: making memories together and creating images you'll love looking back on for years to come.

Ready to Book Your Fall Family Photos?

If you're hoping to schedule family photos in Charlotte, or the Lake Norman area, I'd love to help you plan a session that feels like you!

Fall dates tend to fill up quickly, so I always recommend reaching out during the summer if you have a particular date or time in mind. If you're planning last-minute, don't hesitate to ask about my remaining availability, as some dates will open up throughout the season!

We'll work together to choose a location, plan your outfits, and find a session time that works for your family.

Ready to get started? Reach out here to inquire about family photos! I'd love to hear from you!

Planning Fall Family Photos in Charlotte: Everything You Need to Know