How to Plan the Perfect Fall Family Session

Sabrina Jones
Aug 9, 2025
5 min read

Sweater weather, crunchy leaves, that warm golden light—fall is the undisputed MVP of family photo seasons. Yet coordinating colors, corralling the kids, and locking down a backdrop can feel like herding cats with sugar highs. Fear not: this no-stress roadmap will have you laughing through the prep and loving every moment behind the lens.

Outfit Harmony Without the Clown-Car Matching

Nobody wants your family looking like they raided a neon zebra-print sale rack. Instead:

Pick one anchor color Deep green, rust orange, or burgundy gives everyone a unifying theme.
Let the riffs roll Denim jackets, cozy knits, light plaids—even a pop of mustard sock can be a delightful wildcard.
Pro tip: neutral base layers A simple white tee or chambray shirt keeps focus on those bright smiles (and hides grass stains later).

Imagine Aunt Carol in full camo green and Grandpa in light-wash denim standing harmoniously under an oak tree—no clashing stripes in sight. Great news when booking with us we will send you a free family style guide with color schemes and so many helpful tips to ensure your family is photo ready the day of your session.

Scout a Backdrop with Personality

Every family has its vibe. Choose a location with personality: Local pumpkin patch for that harvest-happy vibe. Leaf-strewn woods with winding trails. Urban park with architectural details and pops of color. Here are six local spots guaranteed to spark laughs, goosebumps, and epic photo ops:

Graham’s Cave: Rustic rock walls and filtered sunlight dripping through the entrance give your clan that “Indiana Jones meets National Lampoon” feel.
New Florence Grass Field: Wide-open space for siblings to sprint off excess energy—just watch for rogue dandelions and dad flattening the grass with an unexpected tackle.
Downtown Hermann, MO: Cobblestone streets, historic storefronts, and pretzel shops cornered on charm. Warning: impromptu snack runs may delay photos (but oh, the props!).
Oglesby Park Lakefront: Gentle waves, a breeze off the water, and benches perfect for snuggling. Bonus: quick dip toes sequence, if the kiddos dare.
Indian Camp Creek Park: Creek access, winding trails, and lakeside clearings. Caution: wet rocks and giggly toddlers make for a comedic chase scene.
Klondike Park: White sand hoops an old rock quarry into a fresh beach vibe. Expect sandy sneakers, seagull photobombs, and epic family jumps on the shore.

Pick the backdrop that best fits your crew’s spirit—and remember, a little leaf toss or creek splash only adds to the charm.

Grass Field

New Florence, MO

This simple, but beautiful open grass area is a wonderful choice. By choosing this area it can be very elegant or playful. Rather you want to dress up or keep the outfits lights you can not go wrong. Loose light colored gravel, with tall grasses and a pretty tree line. Lots of variety in a small space to give any wall a display.

Klondike Park

Augusta, MO

Klondike park is one of my favorite parks to visit. The park use to be a rock quarry so the white rock is like white sandy beach. You have beautiful rock formations around the lake. Nice clean walking path and even a bridge over the lake. The colors around the lake are wonderful during the fall. This location is best if want to dress up and wear more formal wear, but you can dress in less formal fun fall colors.

Grahman Cave

Danville, MO

Grahman Cave State Park has a lovely road where the trees canopy to make such a wonderful setting. It is a peaceful location surround by trees. Great place to sit or walk down the road. This is the best location if you want to have fun and get silly.

Timing Is Everything

Aim to start shooting about 60 minutes before sunset. That golden-hour glow softens faces and gives your photos that “editorial spread” feel.

Beware the witching hour: Around 30 minutes in, little ones may attempt to bury the camera in leaves. Keep snacks and a favorite toy on standby.
School-rush dodge: Book a weekday session if possible—no after-school traffic jams or meltdowns in the minivan.
Quick wardrobe changes: If you want outfit variety, plan two looks and budget five extra minutes between them. Bribes of gummy bears speed things along.

By nailing the timing, you’ll dodge harsh midday shadows, cranky toddlers, and that frantic “we’re late for dinner” sprint.

Pack Like a Pro

You wouldn’t hike a trail without water bottles, right? Same goes for a photo session. Here’s your minimalist kit:

Healthy snacks & water bottles
Hand wipes (unexpected face paint smudges happen)
A small throw blanket (for quick seating or impromptu picnic shots)
A favorite toy or puppet for genuine smiles
Extra socks or shoes (muddy puddles are photo-worthy, but soggy toes are not)

With this arsenal, you’ll handle spills, chills, and mid-session snack attacks like a seasoned pro.

When everyone’s dressed to the nines, the backdrop is Insta-worthy, and you’ve got treats on hand, the camera captures real laughs, whispered secrets, and candid magic. Ready to plan your autumn family adventure? Dive into our full checklist below and lock in your date before the calendar fills up.

Your Fall Photo Planning Checklist

4 Weeks Before Your Session

Pick your preferred location from the six local gems—visit in advance if you can. Have another location in mind; great we are all about unique new places.
Choose an anchor color and spread the word to everyone’s closets.
Book your session time, we usually only shoot as sunrise or 1-2 hours before sunset.

2 Weeks Before Your Session

Confirm outfits with a quick “fashion show” at home. Snap photos to ensure color harmony.
Check weather forecasts and plan for a backup date in case of rain. We do not reschedule until an hour before session if rain due to the best sunsets after a rain.
Confirm with photographer forms, location, and time.

1 Week Before Your Session

Pack your photo-kit essentials (snacks, wipes, blanket, toy).
Text or email final location details and parking tips to all family members.
Lay out outfits together and double-check for stains or tears.

Day Of (1–2 Hours Before)

Dress everyone in layers for easy temperature adjustments.
Grab a quick snack—hangry kids and spouses make for priceless memes, not photos.
Arrive 10–15 minutes early to scope lighting, test shots, and run a last-minute leaf brace or shoe-tuck.

Lock in your date now, embrace the crunchy leaves, and let the giggles begin. Fall family sessions are about capturing your genuine selves—messy hair, muddy shoes, and all the joy in between. Ready to plan your autumn family adventure? Dive into our full checklist and lock in a date before the calendar fills up.

Fall is usually the busiest season for photography. With so much beauty around this time of the year; it is hard not to choose September through November to get fresh, new photos done to hang around your house. Fall Mini Sessions have limited spots at each location. For more information click the link below and join our waitlist to get the first when bookings open on August 15!