Fall in FL is finally arriving this week! Cooler temps are on the way and even in sunny South Florida, there are so many ways to embrace the season for your next family photo session! From cozy textures to perfect lighting, I’ve got all the tips you need to create beautiful, timeless images this season.

Add Cozy Textures

You can incorporate texture in several ways. Knit sweaters are always welcome at your fall session. Added touches like ruffles on a dress, or a sweet bow in your daughter’s hair always add a cozy touch. These simple touches add so much and really create that fall vibe as much as can be here in our humid South Florida location.

Select a Scenic Location

Unique Locations

Most of my South Florida sessions are on the beach. But, when fall comes, my soul longs to embrace nature's foliage. There’s something about the way the wind blows through the trees and the golden sunlight peeks through during fall season that makes for a magical backdrop.

Some the things I look for in locations for fall family photos are:

Tall trees filter light so well
Grassy open fields captured at golden hour are gorgeous
Woodsy locations with lots of texture from shrubs add a cozy vibe

If you wanted to go a little bit more in depth with finding the perfect location, I wrote a thorough blog post about my top locations in South Florida for photoshoots.

Plan Around the Best Lighting

There’s a different kind of golden glow that fall brings. It seems more magical during the fall season. We, photographers, call it the “Golden Glow”. Typically, this means it happens about 1-2 hours before sunset.

Benefits of Shooting at Golden Hour

This is when the light has a soft, golden hue that is very desirable for photos. Golden hour photos result in soft, glowy images.

mother hugs son during fall family photo session in south florida

Avoid Harsh Mid-day Light

Harsh midday light would be anytime between 11am-1pm. That is when the sun is at it’s highest and harshest. The result is super bright scenarios that can cause you to squint and be uncomfortable with how bright it is.

Overcast Days

After Golden hour, overcast days are some of my favorite lighting to shoot in if we are in an open field. The light is soft and diffuse and allows us for more angles to shoot at. Keep in mind, if it is an overcast day, your session could be bumped up 1-3 hours earlier to ensure we have enough light for flattering images.

In conclusion, fall is the perfect season to get creative with your wardrobe, textures, and scenic locations for your photo session. Whether you embrace warm tones or go for unexpected colors like blues, adding cozy textures and thoughtful accessories can elevate your fall look. When planning your session, remember to choose the best lighting—whether it's the magical golden hour or a soft, overcast day—to ensure your photos have that dreamy, glowing effect. By considering these details, you’ll create timeless images that capture the beauty of the season, even here in sunny South Florida