There’s something about this time of year that feels like a quiet exhale. The air sharpens, the evenings draw in, and suddenly the light has that syrupy, golden quality that makes everything from the dog’s fur to the children’s hair seem touched by magic. Autumn isn’t just a change of season; it’s a shift of pace. It’s the world’s gentle way of reminding us to slow down, take stock, and start a new chapter.
For many of us, it’s also a season of milestones. Maybe it’s your child’s first year at school; the tiny shoes by the door, the too-big jumper, the hesitant smiles. Or maybe it’s their last year of primary; the final walk through those gates before they stride off toward something new. Either way, it’s the oldest and the youngest they’ll ever be right now, in this moment. And as any parent knows, those moments don’t stand still for long.
That’s where the camera comes in, not to stage perfection, but to help us see it. Photography, especially in the autumn months, becomes a kind of mindfulness. It slows us down, helps us notice the way light catches a curl of hair, the way hands are still small enough to fit inside ours, the way laughter feels like sunshine on a cold day.
1. Follow the Light
Autumn light is a gift; soft, low, and golden. The best time to shoot is the hour after sunrise or before sunset, often called the “golden hour.” Try positioning your family so that the sun is behind them; this creates a beautiful halo effect and helps avoid squinting.
If it’s cloudy (which, let’s be honest, it often is), don’t despair. Overcast skies act like a giant softbox, diffusing the light evenly. The result? Flattering, gentle portraits with fewer harsh shadows.
Pro tip: Turn off your flash outdoors. Let natural light do the work — even in lower light, your photos will feel warmer and more authentic.
2. Embrace the Colours and Textures
Autumn practically styles itself. Rich reds, deep greens, mustard yellows, cosy knits, crunchy leaves, nature provides the perfect colour palette. Instead of forcing everyone into matching outfits, think in tones: earthy, warm, and layered.
Ask the kids to collect leaves, climb a gate, or throw handfuls of colour into the air. Capture the in-between moments: a hand reaching out, a mid-laugh expression, a glance between siblings. You’re not just taking a picture; you’re documenting how this chapter feels.
And when you look back, it won’t just be about how they looked, but who they were, that mix of confidence and curiosity that defines a particular age, a particular autumn.
3. Move Indoors as the Days Shorten
As autumn fades toward Christmas, your best moments often move inside. Don’t shy away from photographing those cosy, chaotic scenes — the biscuit baking, the decorating, the “everyone in pyjamas at 4 p.m” evenings.
Natural light still matters indoors. Try shooting near a window or door and switch off overhead lights, which can make skin tones look flat or yellow. If the light is fading, lean into the atmosphere; fairy lights, candles, and lamps can create a lovely, moody glow that feels intimate and festive.
Pro tip: Think in stories, not single shots. Capture the process, the mixing, the laughter, the mess, not just the finished result.
4. Prepare for the Christmas Transition
As fairy lights appear and festive chaos sets in, resist the pressure for “perfect.” Those spontaneous, in-between photos, the flour on noses, the giggles while decorating the tree are often the ones that end up meaning the most.
You might even make it a small family tradition: one photo a day from now until Christmas Eve. They don’t have to be works of art, just moments of connection. By the end, you’ll have a visual diary of your family’s autumn-to-winter story, full of texture, warmth, and love.
5. The Season of Change — and the Gift of Time
Maybe that’s why this season tugs at the heart so much. It’s not just the leaves that change, it’s our children, our routines, our sense of who we are as a family. One year they’re racing through piles of leaves in tiny wellies; the next, they’re too cool for leaf piles but still secretly love them.
Taking photographs helps us hold onto that rhythm, the way childhood unfurls, year after year. Each frame becomes a love letter to right now: the faces, the laughter, the light.
And perhaps that’s the quiet magic of photographing your family in autumn. It’s not about chasing the perfect shot; it’s about bearing witness to the passage of time. To the oldest and youngest they’ll ever be. To the beauty in between.
So this year, as the last leaves fall and the first fairy lights flicker to life, take your time. Step into the light, gather your loved ones close, and press the shutter. Not to capture perfection — but to honour the season you’re in, and the ones you’ll one day look back on with full hearts and misty eyes.
Feel free to contact me should you wish for more insight rachelmullinsphotography@gmail.com
Brendoncare Froxfield Welcomes Special Early Christmas Visitor – Gin the Donkey
