The leaves are turning, the air is crisp, and everything smells of pumpkin spice, apple cider, and bonfires, which can only mean one thing: fall in Cleveland. This also means: fall family photo time in Cleveland! (AKA busy season for us family photographers!)
As we say goodbye to summer and welcome fall’s cooler temps and vibrant beauty, this is the perfect time for updated photos with your family. Not only do you get to capture unforgettable memories with your loved ones, but you also get to do it against some pretty stunning backdrops in and around the Cleveland area.
To make fall family photo season a bit easier, I’ve put together this guide with everything you need to know to make your fall family photo session a stress-free success. From choosing the perfect location to coordinating your wardrobe and color palette to preparing your family for your session, this post has you covered.
Why Fall is the Perfect Time for Family Photos in Cleveland
Ask anyone in Northeast Ohio what their favorite time of year is and almost all of them will day fall. Fall in Cleveland is truly unparalleled. The colorful burst of our autumn foliage—deep oranges, fiery reds, and golden yellows—is breathtaking, which is why fall is such a popular time of year to schedule family photos.
Plus, with the comfortable weather that comes with fall—mild temperatures and gentle sunshine—you’re primed to capture magical moments with your family without worrying about sweating in the heat or shivering in the cold.
Choosing the Right Location for Your Fall Photos
When it comes to finding the perfect location for your fall family photos in Cleveland, you’re spoiled for choice; there is no shortage of picture-perfect locations at the ready. The hardest part is deciding one.
Personally, I am a fan of hitting up one of the local Cleveland Metroparks for fall family sessions. Jackson Field, Acacia Reservation, and Huntington Reservation are a few of my favorite spots and are beauts in the fall.
I also recommend thinking about the places you and your family like to spend time together… the happy places you love enjoying together as a family. Is it a park down the street from your house? A local pumpkin patch? Your own backyard? You don’t have to venture far to find autumnal beauty in Cleveland.
When to Schedule Fall Family Photos in Cleveland
The best time to schedule fall photos varies from year to year, but as a general rule of thumb, October to early November is usually a safe bet to get those beautiful fall colors. The leaves start to change in early October and typically peak by the end of the month, so keep that in mind when choosing a timeframe to schedule family photos.
To enhance the warmth and vibrancy of fall scenes in and around Cleveland, it’s best to schedule your session when the sun isn’t too harsh or high in the sky. This is typically one hour after sunrise and 60-75 minutes before sunset.
What to Wear to Fall Family Photos
Now, let’s dive into what to wear for fall family photos!
The clothes you choose for your photos can be the difference between good photos and great photos. Coordinating your family’s outfits is super important for a cohesive look, so you want to think about complementary colors and styles (not matching!) that showcase your family’s personality while still looking put together. My best advice is to start with one person’s outfit—usually mom or baby—and go from there.
Fall Color Palette
Before anything else, you want to decide on a color palette or theme for your fall family photo wardrobe. Embrace warm tones and richer hues—think deep oranges, mustard yellows, burgundy, navy, forest green, and earthy neutrals like tan, brown, beige, and cream—they’ll add a cozy and inviting feel to your photos without overpowering the scenery.
Outfit Ideas for Fall Photos
Ultimately, comfort is key, especially if you’ve got little ones in tow. Opt for cozy fabrics that look beautiful but allow for movement and play. Explore different textures, like flannel, knits, denim, velvet, corduroy, and wool.
For moms and older girls, I love longer (maxi or midi-length), flowy dresses because of the movement they create. You can also get the same effect with a flowy skirt or a long duster/cardigan, too.
For babies and smaller girls who will be held most of the session, a romper, overalls, or a matching set without a skirt is best. Skirts tend to bunch and distract from the photo; they also allow less freedom of play during the session. If you are set on a dress for the little ones, make sure you throw on a pair of bloomers underneath to avoid underwear showing in your photos.
For boys and men, opt for henleys, casual button-ups, sweaters, or thermals. Avoid hoodies, turtlenecks, polos, and formal dress shirts.
Where to Shop for Fall Outfits
First things first, just because you scheduled a fall photo session does not mean you have to go on a shopping spree. It is entirely fine to select everyone’s outfits from clothes you already own or mix and match newer pieces with current clothing.
If you are planning on brand new outfits for your fall family photo, there is no need to overcomplicate things—stick to your tried and true favorite stores. Look for pieces that feel like you, are comfortable to wear, and pieces that give you a boost of confidence!
Here are a few of my favorite places to shop for fall outfits:
Best places to shop for mom and girls
Best places to shop for dad and boys
- L.L. Bean
- Old Navy
- Nordstrom
- Levi’s
- Target
- Amazon
- J. Crew
- Banana Republic
- Johnston & Murphy
- Madewell
- Marine Layer
Best places to shop for kids and babies
Best local boutiques in Cleveland to shop for fall family photo outfits
- Double Rainbow (Shaker Heights)
- Babycakes (Rocky River)
- Little Babet (Chagrin Falls & Woodmere)
- Gypsy Sole (Chagrin Falls)
- Haven (Chagrin Falls)
- Girl Next Door (Rocky River)
How to Prepare for Fall Family Photos in Cleveland
Ok, now that you’ve scheduled the perfect time for your fall family photos, decided on the most beautiful location in Cleveland, and nailed down your family’s outfits, it’s time to prepare everyone for the actual session.
To ensure a smooth, stress-free—and most importantly, FUN—photo session, there are a few things you need to know.
Let Your Kids Be Kids
The number one most important thing to get those joy-filled family photos? Let your kids be themselves! You get to be the cool parents today—don’t try to discipline them, don’t stress about making sure they’re being “good,” and stop telling them to say “cheese.” I will guide them into the activities we are doing, but if they don’t want to cooperate, we’ll just pivot to something else. We want the kids to have fun, and if that means we let them run the show for a bit, so be it!
Say Goodbye to Expectations
Parents…we need to talk about letting go of those expectations. Your session probably won’t be “perfect” and your kids probably won’t behave like angels the entire time and you know what? That’s okay! But if you can let go of expectations, be in the moment, and enjoy your family while I do the work, then your results will be joy-filled, warm, and you.
Be Flexible
Cleveland is notorious for unpredictable fall weather, which means we have to have a little wiggle room as far as scheduling, start times, and locations. Sometimes that beautiful open field you had your eye set on might be oh-so-muddy. Or may we’re scheduled to start at 6:30, but the rain is rolling in at 7. Or we’re rained out completely! It’s my job as your photographer to always have a backup plan and a rain date saved for you on my calendar—all I need from you is your flexibility!
There you have it—your ultimate guide to fall family photos in Cleveland. As the leaves change and the temps get cooler, there’s no better time to get outside and capture those special moments with your loved ones. From choosing the perfect location to coordinating your wardrobe and preparing your family for the big day, I hope I’ve convinced you that fall is the perfect time to schedule your annual family photos.
Here’s to capturing joy-filled, warm, and oh-so-you family photos that you’ll treasure for years to come.
Click here to schedule your fall family photos with me!
Hey there and thank you for stopping by! I’m Mackenzie, owner of Mackenzie Romagni Photography, a birth, newborn, and family photographer serving growing families in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. I hope you found my “Your Guide to Fall Family Photos in Cleveland” blog post helpful.
Interested in learning more about booking a birth, newborn, or family session with me? Contact me here to connect! Not quite ready yet? No problem! Follow me on Instagram or join my email list here to stay in the know.
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