Which Fall Family Photo Style is Right for You?
By Kelly Hudgins
Fall is approaching, and with it comes all the usual transitions: a new school year, fall sports to juggle, and new kid activities… It’s a lot to fit in, but we still want to freeze time before another year flies by.
I’ve spent the last 15 years as a professional photographer and the last seven as a mom, so I know this season from both sides of the lens. I’ve captured the biggest smiles for other families, but I’ve also been the one panicking at home, bribing my toddler to wear a specific shirt for our own photo session while nervously watching the clock. As much as we want updated photos, the mental load of choosing a style, booking a photographer, and actually making it happen can feel daunting when your plate is already full.
So… let me help you reclaim some headspace. I’ve broken down the six most popular styles for fall family photos. Let’s find the one that fits your family’s vibe so you can check this off your list and move on to the rest of your to-dos (or – gasp! – even sneak in five minutes with a warm beverage on the couch).
1. Lifestyle Portraits
These are the classic outdoor photos you’re likely most familiar with. Held in a park or field, they offer a mix of smiling-at-the-camera shots and interactive moments like walking or laughing together.
- Session length: Mini-sessions are popular, and a skilled photographer can work wonders in just 15 minutes. If you’re nervous about that, a 1-hour session eliminates time pressure, letting kids warm up while you explore different areas.
- This is great for families who: Want the traditional fall look, don’t mind coordinating outfits, and can get everyone out the door looking nice at a specific time (or “nice enough,” if we’re being real).
- A tip for the Triangle, NC: The leaves around here usually don’t show off until November. October sessions will have mostly green trees in the background, and November offers a better chance at fall foliage (if that matters to you!).
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2. Christmas Tree Farm Portraits
Introduce a little extra festive magic by having your session at a Christmas tree farm! There’s something inherently nostalgic about it, and it provides an evergreen backdrop that feels like an instant holiday card, regardless of what the other non-fir trees are doing.
- The vibe: It’s festive, outdoorsy, and a fun way to celebrate the holiday season. Your photographer might have a setup like a blanket or couch, and it’s also common to walk through the rows of trees (and let those little ones run!).
- This style may be right for you if: You want to lean into festive photos that are more specific to the holiday season. Like lifestyle portraits, this works well for families who have the bandwidth for coordinating outfits and getting out the door on time. Ask your photographer if your pets can come, too!
3. Traditional Studio Portraits
Let me start by saying this is the style I don’t have any experience with! But, it’s the most controlled environment, which has some perks. No wind, no threats of rain, and more flexible timing since you’re not chasing the perfect slice of golden hour sun.
- The style: Because the backdrop is often neutral or minimalist, the focus is entirely on your family. This is usually the time to dress the fanciest – think coordinated Sunday best or high-end textures, since these photos work great for framing and hanging as wall art.
- This is a great choice for families who: Are planners and want zero variables (or… as close to zero as you can get with children!). If you want a stunning, polished portrait and don’t want to worry about what the weather might do, a studio session might be perfect for you.
*Photo by Season Moore Photography
4. Studio Portraits with Santa
The mall isn’t your only option! Some photographers put together private mini-sessions that let your children have personal time with Santa while all the magic is captured in a quiet, curated space.
- The experience: These are quick but personal – often around 10 minutes. Your kids get Santa all to themselves to talk, play, or share a cookie. It’s a wonderful way to preserve the magic with toddlers who might be intimidated by a loud, crowded mall setting.
- This is a wonderful fit for families who: Want to preserve the magic of toddlers at Christmas time in a curated, private setting. If your child is nervous, the quiet environment helps them warm up. If not, you still have hilariously beautiful photos of your unhappy child with Santa – haha! Be sure to ask if parents and other family members are allowed to hop in a couple photos, too.
- A bonus: Consider using these photos in a piece of wall art or keepsake album to display each holiday season. We have a float frame of our favorite Santa session photo from when my son was three, and it’s so heartwarming to display it every year!
*This is my family! Photo by Anna Faiola
5. Candid Documentary Photos: Fall Activities
Alright, time to make a pretty drastic 180° turn. You ready?
Candid documentary photos are about capturing your real life as authentically as possible, so you can remember what this season of life really looked like and felt like. Instead of posing, the photographer documents your everyday rhythms or a favorite fall activity, like visiting the pumpkin patch or jumping in leaf piles.
- The clothing: Wear your normal clothes! T-shirt, jeans, sneakers… whatever you’d actually wear for what we’re capturing. The idea here is to capture how you and your family members actually are. You’re not putting on a show, and there’s no coordination or planning needed.
- Session length: 30-minute sessions are great for documenting a single, quick activity you love doing together. Longer sessions are ideal for multiple activities or for capturing what your everyday rhythms at home look like.
- This is the perfect match for families who: Are overwhelmed by the idea of planning outfits and going to a special spot for photos – or just don’t want to mess with that. You want to record everyday life, but with mom in the photos too… to remember the way your toddler’s hand felt in yours or to see a third-person POV of your family baking a favorite dish together. It goes beyond what your family looks like, down to the core of who your family is and how you spend time together.
6. Photos of Cozy Holiday Traditions at Home
Maybe you want to lean into the winter holidays more than fall this year… Take the candid documentary approach and apply it to winter traditions at home. Document the magic of the season with a favorite activity or laid-back, chill vibes: decorate the tree, light the menorah, bake cookies, make paper snowflakes, or read by the fire (it’s totally okay if your fireplace is on your TV screen like mine).
- Easy peasy: There is zero travel involved. Everyone feels comfortable in their own space, and everyday clothing is encouraged. Favorite holiday shirts and pjs are welcome here!
- This is an ideal option for families who: Love cozy-at-home vibes. You recognize that the holidays will look different as your kids get older, and you want to document the way things are now without any fuss or stress.
6. Photos of Cozy Holiday Traditions at Home
In my work at Light Creative, I focus on those last two styles the most – unposed, documentary storytelling. While we all want that one “grandparent-approved” photo for our holiday cards (which, yes, I can still take for you too), I truly believe that the photos you’ll actually ache for in 30 years are the ones that show your real life exactly as it is right now – grass stains, toy-strewn floors, cookie icing on the dog, and all.
If you’re interested, check out my site for current offerings, including candid documentary sessions and playful portrait mini-sessions.
At the end of the day, there is no wrong choice. Whether you’re dressed to the nines in a studio or covered in flour in your kitchen, your kids are going to want to see YOU in these photos decades from now. Choose the style that’s the right fit for your current bandwidth and provides finished photos with the vibe you crave, and let the photographer handle the rest.
About the author. Kelly Hudgins is a family documentarian, visual storyteller, and the photographer behind Light Creative. Unless otherwise indicated, all photos included in this article were taken by her. As a Raleigh-based mom with 15 years of professional photography experience and 7 years of parenthood under her belt, she specializes in unposed documentary photography that captures the heartfelt, beautiful chaos of real life exactly as it is. Her mission is to help parents “time travel” back to this season of life, ensuring they are not just the ones behind the camera, but a cherished & visible part of the story. Beyond her work with newborns & families, Kelly is a passionate storyteller for the local community, partnering with small businesses and nonprofits to document the honest narratives of their everyday work & impact.
See more at: www.lightcreativephoto.com
Connect with her on Instagram at: www.instagram.com/lightcreativephoto
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