How to Prepare for Your Fall Family Photos in San Diego
Fall family photo season is almost here!
Whether you've booked one of my Fall Mini Sessions or you're planning a regular family session, there are a few simple things you can do ahead of time to make your session easier, more comfortable, and—most importantly—fun.
None of these are complicated. They're just little things that are easy to forget until the day of your session.
So here's my practical checklist for getting ready for your fall photos!
1. Check Those Watch & Tan Lines
This one is easy to overlook!
If you regularly wear an Apple Watch, Fitbit, or another watch, start paying attention to the tan line it leaves on your wrist.
I generally prefer photographs without watches, but I don't want you to take yours off for the session and suddenly have a very noticeable lighter band around your wrist.
If you still have some time before your session, let that area get some natural sun when appropriate so the skin tone has a chance to blend.
The same goes for bathing suit tan lines. If you're planning a beach session or wearing something that exposes your shoulders or back, you may want to start thinking about those lines now.
2. Beach Session? You Don't Need Shoes!
One less thing to coordinate!
If you've chosen a beach location, you absolutely don't need to worry about finding the perfect shoes for everyone.
Bare feet in the sand are beautiful, natural, and completely appropriate for a beach session.
In fact, I often prefer it.
One less outfit decision? I'll take it!
3. Trail Session? Bring Comfortable Shoes
If you've chosen one of the beautiful trails for your session, remember that we may have a little walking to do.
Some locations have rocks, uneven ground, dirt, or even areas with water depending on the location and weather.
My recommendation?
Wear comfortable shoes for getting to our photo location and bring your dressier shoes to change into once we get there.
Your feet will thank you!
4. Book Hair & Makeup Early
If you're planning to have your hair and/or makeup professionally done, don't wait until the last minute.
Fall is one of the busiest times of year for photographers, hair stylists, and makeup artists because so many families are scheduling photos.
Once you've chosen your photography date, I'd recommend locking in your hair and makeup appointments as soon as possible.
And remember—you don't have to get professional hair and makeup done. If that's not your thing, that's perfectly fine!
The goal is for you to feel comfortable and like yourself.
5. Start With One Main Outfit
This is my favorite way to approach family wardrobe planning:
Don't try to coordinate everyone's outfit at the same time.
Choose one outfit that you absolutely love first.
It could be Mom's dress, one child's statement outfit, or another piece that sets the tone for the whole family.
Then build everyone else's clothing around it.
Think complementary colors, patterns, and textures rather than matching.
You don't want everyone wearing the exact same color or outfit. We want the clothing to coordinate without looking like a uniform.
6. Remember That San Diego Fall Can Still Be HOT
September and even October can be VERY warm in San Diego.
So please keep that in mind when choosing your outfits.
Look for breathable fabrics and clothing that allows everyone to move comfortably.
This is especially important with children.
A beautiful sweater might look perfect in a Pinterest inspiration photo, but if your child is sweating and miserable, we're not going to have a very fun session. 😂
Comfort matters!
7. Protect the Outfits on the Way There
If you're driving to your session, especially with young kids, think about protecting those beautiful outfits until we arrive.
Car seats, snacks, drinks, and even the family dog can be surprisingly hard on a freshly ironed outfit.
If possible, let everyone travel in something comfortable and change once you arrive.
Or at the very least, bring a blanket or towel to protect clothing from the car seat.
8. Empty Those Pockets!
Before we start photographing, have everyone empty their pockets.
Phones, keys, wallets, AirPods, rocks, toy cars, random treasures...
Kids are especially talented at collecting things. 😂
It's amazing how noticeable a bulging pocket can be in a photograph, so a quick pocket check before we begin is always a good idea.
9. Take Off the Hair Ties
If you normally wear a hair tie around your wrist, take it off before your session.
This is one of those tiny things that's incredibly easy to forget and surprisingly noticeable in photographs.
Same goes for fitness bands or anything else you normally wear on your wrist that you don't want in your photos.
10. Keep Accessories Simple
You don't need to bring a ton of jewelry or accessories.
A beautiful necklace, earrings, hat, or meaningful piece can add personality to an outfit, but too many competing accessories can distract from the people in the photograph.
When in doubt, simple is usually better.
11. Feed the Kids Before You Arrive
Especially with toddlers and younger children!
You don't necessarily want everyone arriving completely stuffed, but you also don't want to discover halfway through the session that your child is starving.
A small snack before leaving home can make a huge difference.
And speaking of snacks...
12. Avoid Messy Snacks Right Before Photos
Chocolate.
Popsicles.
Cheetos.
Brightly colored drinks.
Need I say more? 😂
Have the snack—just maybe not immediately before putting on the final outfit and heading to your session.
Baby wipes are always a good idea too!
13. Bring a Little Emergency Kit
You don't need to bring a suitcase, but having a small kit in the car can be a lifesaver.
I recommend:
Water
Baby wipes
Tissues
Hairbrush
Lint roller
Safety pins
Extra hair ties
A small snack
You may never need any of it.
But the one time you do, you'll be very happy it's there!
14. Bringing Your Dog? Consider Bringing a Helper
I LOVE when families include their dogs in their photos! 🐾
Of course, this depends on the location—some locations allow dogs and some don't.
If your dog is joining us, consider asking a friend or family member to come along and help.
Not every dog needs this. But some dogs get VERY excited when they're outside in a new environment.
Having someone who can hold the leash or hang out with your dog while we're photographing just the humans can make the session much easier.
Then we can bring your pup back into the photos whenever we're ready!
15. Don't Try to Make Your Kids Practice Smiling
Please don't spend the week before your session telling your kids:
"You have to smile!"
"You have to behave!"
"You need to look at the camera!"
You don't need to do that.
That's my job. 😊
I want your kids to have fun and interact naturally. Some of my favorite images happen when they're laughing, moving, exploring, or interacting with their parents and siblings.
The more relaxed they are, the more authentic the photographs will be.
16. Talk About the Session—But Don't Overprepare Them
Instead of telling your kids exactly how they need to behave, tell them we're going to have fun.
We're going to explore, play, walk around, and take some pictures together.
That's it.
I don't expect children to stand perfectly still and smile at the camera for ten minutes.
And especially with my Mini Sessions, we're moving quickly and keeping things fun!
17. Arrive Ready—but Not Too Early
For a regular session, arriving about 10–15 minutes early is perfect.
For Mini Sessions, please pay close attention to your scheduled time because Minis are booked back-to-back.
You don't need to arrive 30 minutes early, but you do want to be ready to start at your scheduled time, specially if parking in the area is tough or there is some walking involved.
That means shoes on, hair done, pockets empty, and everyone ready to go!
18. Don't Worry If Something Goes Wrong
And finally, perhaps my most important tip:
Don't panic.
Someone will probably get dirty.
A kid may refuse to smile.
Someone's hair will blow into their face.
A toddler may have a meltdown.
Someone will forget something.
And that's okay.
My sessions are not about creating a perfectly controlled situation.
Some of my favorite photographs come from the moments when things didn't go exactly according to plan.
Your family doesn't need to behave like a photography catalog.
I'll work with what happens.
And Now... Book Your Date!
If you've already been thinking about Fall Mini Sessions, they're available to book now.
And if you're considering a regular family session, now is also the time to get your date on my calendar.
Fall is one of my busiest seasons, and my schedule fills quickly.
The earlier we choose your date, the more options we'll have for locations and timing.
Please remember that your date is only officially reserved once your contract is signed and your deposit has been received.
Once that's done, you can relax knowing your session is officially on my calendar.
I can't wait to photograph your families this fall! 🤎🍂
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