Fall in Northern Michigan doesn’t mess around. The trees put on a show. The light gets soft and golden.

This Fall Family Photo Session Guide is here to limit surprises and stress. All you need is a little planning to make sure you get photos you’ll love hanging on your wall.

And there’s that one week–maybe two–where the colors, the weather, and the timing all just line up perfectly. If you’ve been meaning to book a fall family photo session, this is the guide that’ll take you from “we should” to “done.”

I’m here to give you straight answers to the most common questions families ask me this time of year. As a dad of four myself, I have a wealth of wisdom, tips, and tricks to share. And definitely a dad joke–or two–up my sleeve.

(It’s somewhere in my contract, after “know everyone’s good side” and “pretend not to notice meltdowns.”)

(And ensure you get a winner for this year’s family holiday card).

Fall Family Photo Session Guide FAQs:

1. What if the weather doesn’t cooperate?

Northern Michigan in the fall is unpredictable. One day, 65° and sunny. The next? Sideways rain.

If we get hit with bad weather, we reschedule. I keep backup dates open for this reason. We can also pivot to a covered spot, an indoor location (I love a good at-home family session), or somewhere sheltered where the light still works.

In other words, you won’t lose your fall family photo session to rogue weather.

2. What should we wear?

Think layers. Cozy sweaters. Light jackets. Boots. (Your fave sneakers work, too.)

Focus on outfits that complement each other instead of matching for a balanced and cohesive look.

Avoid: Stay away from busy or small patterns, logos, or overly trendy pieces that might distract or date your photos.

Stick to earthy or jewel tones that play nicely with the fall leaves: deep greens, mustard yellows, burgundy, rust, navy, and cream. If you want a quick formula:

Base neutrals: cream, tan, grey, navy
Seasonal accents: rust, olive, mustard, maroon
Textures: knits, corduroy, denim, flannel

If you want a quick formula:

Base neutrals: cream, tan, grey, navy
Seasonal accents: rust, olive, mustard, maroon
Textures: Layers and textures, such as lace or silk, knits or flannel, corduroy or denim, all add depth to your outfits and work well with natural backdrops.

From a dad’s perspective? Don’t die on the hill of “picture perfect.”

If your kid refuses to wear the cardigan you picked, let them wear their favorite t-shirt under it. Or swap in something they actually like.

You’ll get better photos if they’re comfortable and happy than if they’re perfectly coordinated and grumpy.

The same goes for the adults. You don’t have to look like you stepped out of a magazine spread. Just look like yourselves–in clothes you feel good in. Clothes you can romp in, chase your kids in, snuggle in… without worrying about wrinkles or dirt.

Because from behind the camera, the real win isn’t matching outfits.

It’s the memory of the moment as it actually happened.

3. My family isn’t thrilled. How do we make this painless?

Don’t overhype it. Just call it “hanging out together” and let me handle the rest. The honest truth is that most family sessions can be a bit chaotic. We’re photographing real life, not on a model shoot after all. Every single family photo shoot has its own brand of mayhem–some more than others.

So just because the family portraits you’ve seen look beautiful and as if everyone behaved beautifully while taking them, it’s not the whole picture. And honestly? That’s okay. That’s where some of the best photos come from.

By the end of a session, parents will often laugh and say, “Welp, hopefully there are some good ones in there.” And then they’re surprised when the gallery is filled with joy, personality, and connection they didn’t even realize was happening in the chaos.

My advice? Bring snacks for the kids. Let them bring one small comfort item if it helps. Keep the energy light. A granola bar at the right moment can turn the whole thing around.

I’ve worked with plenty of reluctant photo-takers in my 17 years of photographing families. 99.99% of the time, they leave saying, “That wasn’t so bad.” Or, “That was actually really fun.” But my personal favorite is when I get to photograph the same families year after year. I love watching how their kids grow each year, and they start to remember me.

In the end, the imperfect moments: the lopsided grins, the wild hair, the in-between laughs. Those are the ones you’ll want framed. So when parents joke, “Welp, hopefully there are some good ones in there,” I already know the answer: there always are.

4. How long will my fall family photo session take?

Mini sessions run 20–30 minutes. Full sessions last about an hour.

That’s long enough to get a variety of shots without losing anyone’s attention span. Even with the prettiest fall light, no one wants a three-hour photo marathon.

5. Where should we take our family photos?

We’ll choose a location based on the look you want: shoreline, orchard, park, or at home.

One of the best parts of booking a fall family photo session in Traverse City is the variety–you can get lake views, fiery maples, and open fields all within 20 minutes of each other.

Read my dedicated post on where to take family photos →

6. Can we bring pets? Is it a good idea to bring them?

Absolutely. Just be prepared for them to steal the show.

Joking aside, if you bring a dog, I recommend having a leash handler for when they’re not in the frame. And maybe a towel in the car… just in case.

7. Getting Your Family Photo Prints, Albums & Holiday Deadlines

If you’re planning to use your photos for holiday gifts or cards, here are the order cutoffs:

Albums and wall art, and holiday cards: Mid-November

If your fall family photo session is in late October, you’ll still have plenty of time to order. Wait until December 22nd, and your gift will come with a hefty bill for expedited shipping (or not make it in time at all).

Why a Fall Family Photo Session Matters

For the past 17 years, I’ve had the honor of photographing life as it really is in Northern Michigan: the loud laughs, the quiet glances, the messy, beautiful middle.

Family sessions aren’t just about holiday cards. They’re about pressing pause long enough to notice each other, to be together, and to hold onto a little slice of life as it is right now.

Whether it’s weddings or families, this work is deeply personal to me (especially as a father of four). I’m all about preserving the moments you’ll want to return to, long after the season changes.

If this is the season you want to remember, let’s get it on the calendar before the final leaves fall.

Inquire for your family photo session →