The leaves are starting to change! Is everyone ready for sweater weather, pumpkin spice everything, and the inexorable, slow approach of the icy misery of winter? Great! Let’s get started!

Fall photos are the most popular for families, and for good reason: fall is awesome in Chicago. As many of you know, I’m from Florida, where the only thing that changed color in the fall was our sandals. If you’ve signed up for my fall minis, I’ve already pre-selected an area where I know there will be good fall color, but other great areas around here include the Lincoln Park Zoo/South Pond area, North Pond/Nature Museum, Caldwell Woods, Humboldt Park, Grant Park, Winnemac Park, and Horner Park. Lots of other great places in the suburbs, as well! The Arboretum and Botanic Garden do require permits, but are amazing this time of year.

What should we wear?

I have another post planned soon with specific outfit suggestions, but for early and mid-fall, photos, keep in mind that your backgrounds will be bright and colorful! You will want to stand out, so if you like neutrals, accessorize with a few colorful items. Yellow, gold, red, orange, brown, plum purple, brighter blues, and olive green are great choices! Plaid is a favorite, but for family photos, I’d recommend only one person wearing it. Keep your patterns minimal, avoid being too “matchy” by selecting a 3-4 color palette, and as always, avoid large logos or clothing with text. I like to recommend the moms pick their outfits first, then coordinate the rest of the family. Make sure whatever you are wearing, you are comfortable moving around or sitting in. For gentlemen, sweater cardigans, pea coats, hats, suspenders, vests, and scarves make my heart super happy. For the ladies, scarves, hats, hair bows, sweater tights, pea coats, boots, and hair bands are lovely. For the 3 and under crowd, I would avoid anything bulky around the shoulders/neck area (large scarves or chunky vests), because that tends to bunch up and cover the face. Plan for it to be chilly. It’s easier to take layers off and be a little warm than it is to convince children that they aren’t cold. #truth

How do we prepare the kids?

This will depend on the age! I’ve setup a few easy guidelines, depending on how old your child/children are. If your child is naturally anxious, shy, or slow to warm up, you may want to consider purchasing a longer session than a mini.

Up to 12 months (or before walking)

These guys should be fairly easy! Make sure they are well-rested and fed,  and plan to bring a spare outfit and boogey wipes. Do they have a favorite item, lovey, or snack? Bring it along! Let me know in advance if they are not sitting or need assistance. I will have something prepared in advance for them.

Walking-3 years old

This is generally the toughest age to photograph. Definitely make sure they are well-rested and fed, bring along lots of non-messy snacks (goldfish, cheerios, freeze dried fruit, etc.), a spare outfit and boogey wipes, and plan to have a bribe on hand. Stickers also tend to work well, as does a plan to have them engage in something for the photos. I have a wagon ready to go for my minis, but bubbles are a great and easy activity for kids. Bring a bag of apples you picked, a pumpkin, a toy phone, superhero cape, a tiara, whatever you think may work. Do not bring along anything you don’t want in photos. That is 100% guaranteed to be the one item your child refuses to let go of for the entire session. Keep it light and happy and don’t encourage them to practice smiling or posing in advance – I prefer those natural, in-the-moment shots! Plan to drink heavily afterwards.

4-7 years old

This is usually a great and easy age! Same idea goes, though: a well-rested and fed child makes for happy photos. Children this age tend to respond well to bribes, so keep that in mind. Make it fun by going out for a treat afterwards!

8 years and older, plus grown ups

Comfort with having photos taken tends to vary a lot in this age bracket. Make it easy by bribing yourself with whatever makes you happy. I do minimal posing and mostly try to encourage families to interact and look genuinely happy. If you’re unhappy with the idea of fussy posing, huge lights in your face, or tedious holding of poses, do not worry, as I do none of those. Have a treat!

Can’t wait to see everyone! Let me know if there are any questions or concerns I missed!