The Anderson Family Fall Portrait Session

Three Generations, One Beautiful Day

The Anderson family wanted to capture three generations together—grandparents, parents, and four grandchildren ranging from age 3 to 12. With fall colors at their peak, we chose Riverside Park for its stunning golden foliage and natural light.

Session Planning

Pre-Session Consultation:

• Wardrobe coordination: Earthy tones and layers to complement the fall setting
• Location scouting: Found the perfect spots with colorful leaves and open meadows
• Timeline planning: Scheduled for golden hour to maximize beautiful light
• Activity ideas: Planned natural interactions to keep everyone relaxed
• Backup plan: Indoor location identified in case of rain

The Session Flow

Starting with the Full Group

We began with everyone together while energy was high. Rather than stiff, posed shots, I encouraged the family to walk together, interact naturally, and just be themselves. The genuine laughter and connections created the most beautiful moments.

Breaking into Smaller Groups

After capturing the full family, we moved through combinations:

• Grandparents with grandchildren: The kids showing grandma the leaves they collected
• Parents with their children: Playful moments of tickles and hugs
• Sibling groups: The cousins playing together naturally
• Couples portraits: Grandparents and parents
• Individual child portraits: Quick shots while others took a snack break

The Magic Happened When…

Some of my favorite images came from unplanned moments:

• The 3-year-old throwing leaves in the air with pure joy
• Grandpa giving the oldest grandson a piggyback ride
• Mom and daughter sharing a quiet laugh together
• The whole family walking away from camera, hand in hand

Session Details

• 2-hour session with plenty of time for breaks and play
• Multiple locations within Riverside Park
• Variety of groupings ensuring everyone got special photos
• 50+ edited images delivered in the online gallery
• Natural, relaxed approach that felt more like playtime than a photoshoot

Overcoming Challenges

Working with young children means flexibility. When the 5-year-old got tired halfway through, we took a quick snack break. This turned into one of our best moments—capturing her eating apple slices while sitting on grandpa’s shoulders!

Client Testimonial

“You made this so easy and fun! We were worried the kids wouldn’t cooperate, but you kept everything moving and playful. The photos are absolutely stunning—we ordered prints for everyone’s homes. Thank you for capturing our family so beautifully!” — Jennifer Anderson

The Result

The Anderson family received 53 beautifully edited photos that ranged from traditional family portraits to candid, joyful moments. The variety meant that every family member had favorites, and grandma got the large print she’d been hoping for to hang in her living room.

Ready to capture your family’s story? Contact me to schedule your portrait session!