How to take stunning fall images of children

How to Capture Stunning Images of your Children this Fall Season

Oct 13, 2020

Although short, the fall season is undeniably one of the most beautiful outdoor seasons of them all. The colours and show nature puts on infuses warm beauty into frames. There are several ways photographers can capture the best of the best during fall, capturing our children's moments while photographing precious memories. Below are a few ideas on how you can set yourself up to capture stunning images of your children this fall season.   

1. Shoot during peak colour

The shift from golden trees to fallen leaves happens in a blink of an eye. A simple gust of wind can blow away leaves within minutes, leaving branches bare, or an early snowstorm can freeze fall in her tracks. Once the colour begins, keep a very close watch on nature.  Be on the lookout for peak colours, then run outdoors and devour nature's stunning display before fall comes to an end. Images during the peak of fall colour can result in stunning fall captures.  

ISO 250 105mm, f3.2, 1/400SS

2. Dress your subject in a colour that compliments

Let's have a quick chat about colour theory. Colours are spaced out on a colour wheel in a very deliberate order. Referencing a colour wheel and using colour theory will help you capture stunning fall images. 

Take a look at the colour wheel below. Opposite yellow on the colour wheel is purple. Filling your frames with colours opposite each other creates a complimentary and very appealing visual combination. Split complementary colour schemes are also highly attractive. Try combining the two colours on either side of the complementary colour such as red, blue and yellow.                                                                                   

When dressing, your children consider the colours of fall, often yellows, oranges and reds. Dressing your children in purples, blues and greens all meld harmoniously with nature’s display and can help you capture stunning fall images. 

ISO 800, 105mm, f3.2, 1/500SS

3. Accessories

Now is the time for more! With the warmth of summer gone, layers have become the norm. I enjoy pulling out the stylish hats, knitted scarfs and cute mittens. Infusing these fun accessories into fall images creates a sense of sentimental warmth that I think works well with fall. Those who live in a somewhat warmer climate, perhaps rain boots and an umbrella for those drizzly days, might work better for your fall images.

ISO 400, 78mm, f2.8, 1/2000SS

4. Embrace fall weather elements

Foggy days are few and far between in my climate, but you can be sure I’m going to be running out the door with my camera when it happens. I know we all covet that delicious golden backlight, but fall often brings moodier days with the cooler weather. This type of atmosphere works well with fall images.

ISO 1000, 105mm, f2.8, 1/400SS

5. Take advantage of the early golden hour

When it is sunny outdoors, embrace that light! Warm colour and warm golden light are a perfect combination, especially in the fall. Take advantage of the now easier golden hour times compared with that of summer and make an effort to photograph during the golden hour. Backlight your subject through a screen of colourful golden leaves and capture the magic inherent within this incredible season.

ISO 640, 105mm, f3.2, 1/500SS

The fall season is upon us, so start brainstorming and capture this beautiful season. It won't be long now, and fall will fade under a blanket of snowflakes.

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