family posing at anne springs fort mill sc

How to Prepare for Charlotte Fall Family Photos

Preparing for Fall Family Photos in Charlotte

 

Can you believe that it’s finally about to be fall? It’s my favorite season of the year!

Why?

Boot season, cute layers, and Starbucks of course!

Plus, Charlotte is so beautiful in the fall. Making it the perfect backdrop for fall family photos, another favorite of mine. 

If you’re a mom, you’re probably starting to recognize that your babies grow so fast, and with that growth comes change. Change in appearance, change in personality, and change in milestones. Capturing every stage becomes more and more important. 

Fall family sessions are a beautiful way to preserve memories of who they are throughout each stage of their development. It provides a unique opportunity to reflect on the love and connection that makes your child who they are and who you all are as a family. 

But with planning a family photo session comes the overwhelm of having to plan outfits for the whole family. That stress is enough to make anyone say “Just forget the photos!”. That’s why we’ve created the Fall Family Wardrobe Guide, a simple tool to help you prepare for this year’s fall portrait session with ease! From color coordination to layering tips, this guide takes the stress out of planning, so you can just enjoy your family. 

Now, back to how wonderful Charlotte is in the Fall……

family posing at anne springs fort mill sc

Why Fall in Charlotte is Perfect for Family Photos

So, like I was saying earlier, there is something truly special about the fall season in Charlotte that makes it ideal for family photos. Charlotte is full of trees with vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows that create a natural breathtaking backdrop. You just can’t escape it. 

Then, the temperature in Charlotte during the fall is perfect because it’s cool enough without being cold and warm enough without being hot. Mix that with the warm glow that tends to happen about an hour or so before sunset, and you end up with pictures that are perfectly lit and that are absolutely stunning. 

But, here’s the thing, fall doesn’t last long in Charlotte. Once the leaves drop, those beautiful colors disappear and you’re left with a drab and boring background. This is why Charlotte’s fall family sessions are best taken during the month of October and early November. 

You’ll see all of the moms in the Charlotte Moms Facebook groups asking about booking fall mini-sessions as early as July. 

Why?

They tend to book quickly especially if you want a good Charlotte family photographer to capture your family at one of the hidden gems in the city. These moms have missed out before so they understand the urgency. 

 

 

Booking Your Fall Family Session

I should have mentioned this earlier, but I happen to be a Charlotte Maternity, Newborn, and Family Photographer. At K Marshay Photography, our Charlotte fall family sessions are designed to be fun, and carefree, while capturing the beauty that is fall and highlighting the love and connection within your family. Whether you’re looking for a quick session or a more personalized experience, we offer options that fit your needs. 

Our availability is limited as all of our sessions are scheduled during the golden hour. 

Why?

That’s the time of day when the light is at its softest, and warmest, and naturally adds a glow.

We offer 2 different types of outdoor sessions during the fall: 

Limited Edition Fall Sessions 

This session is perfect for families who want a quick shoot but also want to capture meaningful moments. It is only 20 minutes long and allows me to hone in on those special connections and personality traits before losing the attention of our little ones and dad! It’s just enough to get what we need without being too demanding on the kids. You can book your limited edition fall session here!

 

mom taking fall photos with kids at charlotte park road park with K Marshay Photography

Full Family Sessions

This session is perfect for families looking for a more personalized experience. It includes a consultation, wardrobe styling assistance, professional hair and makeup for mom, and a reveal and ordering appointment where you get the opportunity to curate art. This longer session allows us to take our time and not feel rushed. Plus, you can add extended family members too!

How awesome would it be to have Memaw and PaPa in the photos with their grandchildren?

Whether you’re looking for a quick session or a full family experience, we’ve got you covered. Just remember, fall in Charlotte doesn’t last long and our sessions do fill up quickly.

Don’t put this off, or you’ll miss out on family photos this year. Let’s avoid that by going ahead and securing your fall family session now!

mom dad and two kids posing for family photos at anne springs in Fort Mill SC with K Marshay Photography

Stress-Free Planning: How to Get the Most Out of Your Session

You’ve already booked your 2024 fall session for your family because you know fall is one of the busiest times for family photographers, especially in a place as beautiful as Charlotte! Since you booked early, you were able to snag the perfect date and time for your family, leaving you with ample time to plan and be prepared. 

Plus, you grabbed a copy of the Fall Family Wardrobe Guide so you don’t have to stress! 

Go you!

If you haven’t done this, run and book your fall family session now!

Now, back to getting the most out of your session.

Keep the Kids Happy: Tips for a Smooth Session 

  1. The shorter sessions go by fast and there isn’t much wiggle room for lateness as there is often another family ahead of you and after you. With this in mind, make sure the kids have used the restroom prior to leaving home.
  2. You also want to look at everyone’s outfits at least 2 days before your session just to make sure everyone has everything they need.
  3. On the day of the session, avoid sugar! You can give the kids a treat after the session but if you give it to them beforehand, it’s going to be a struggle to keep their attention, even for the best family photographer.
  4. Before and during the session, avoid threatening the kids over their behavior. If you’ve chosen a great family photographer, they will know how to engage your kids. The session should be fun for all and threats just lead to tears, a painful experience for everyone, and photos that just don’t show who you truly are as a family.
  5. Don’t forget to pack snacks. Small, non-messy snacks can be a lifesaver, especially in a full session. Having a few on hand can keep kids energized and happy between shots.
  6. You should also have wipes packed as well. It’s inevitable that someone (not always the kids) will end up needing them.
  7. Book a full session so the kids can take short breaks. This will help overwhelm for sure.Trust me, a quick moment to breath and play can make all the difference for the little ones. Don’t worry, we’ll capture those moments too!
  8. Don’t worry about everything being perfect. The best moments are often the ones you don’t expect. Just treat the session as another opportunity to bond and create memories. Kids can sense stress, so relax!
  9. Play with your kids! That’s right! Interact, make them laugh, and let them run around. These candid moments often result in the most genuine and heartwarming photos. Think tickle fights, a game of tag, or just simply holding hands and walking together.

I can assure you that when you relax and just enjoy the experience rather than worrying about the outcome, you’ll end up with beautiful photos where the love and connection is palpable!

Family playing with fall leaves while taking family photos with K Marshay Photography

 

What to Expect During Your Fall Family Session 

Your Charlotte fall family session with K Marshay Photography is designed to be a fun, relaxed, and enjoyable experience for the whole family. 

To make the experience even smoother, I have a Child Life Specialist available for family sessions. Her role is to connect with the kids, making them feel comfortable and engaged throughout the session. 

Whether it’s providing small distractions or playing fun games, she ensures that your children are relaxed, happy, and excited to participate. 

 

Ready to Book Your Charlotte Fall Family Photos?

As the seasons change and your children grow, you’ll witness precious moments that you’ll want to be able to revisit later. 

Time is fleeting, but fortunately, photos live on long past the moment they were taken. 

A fall family session isn’t just about beautiful photos, it’s about another memory that you get to create as a family. It’s also a chance for you, Mom, to be in the photo! 

I know you’re busy and juggling a lot of things at the moment but you’ll want these moments later. I’ve made things easier by creating 2 different session types:

  1. 20-minute limited session where we get straight to the point.
  2. Full family session where you can enjoy being pampered.
    • That includes getting your hair and makeup done
    • And the convenience of having someone else plan your family’s wardrobe for the session.  

Don’t forget you can also get the Fall Family Wardrobe Guide, packed with detailed tips on how to coordinate outfits and prepare for your family session stress-free. With this guide, you’ll have everything you need to feel confident and relaxed on the day of your session, especially if you decide to do one of the limited sessions.

Fall in Charlotte is beautiful but again, it doesn’t last long. Spots for our Charlotte fall family sessions are filling up fast! I don’t want you to be one of those disappointed moms in the Facebook groups because you missed out. Book your fall family session today! There will be loads of fun and lots of heartwarming moments to enjoy. 

Family walking together in park rd park in Charlotte NC while taking fall photos with K Marshay Photography

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