My Favourite Season...
Let's talk Autumn, as a photographer it's easily my favourite season for family portraits, let me tell you why.
Firstly the light is beautiful. I often talk about light because without it there are no pictures but what type of light we have will have a dramatic affect on the pictures I can create. During the summer months I try to avoid taking any photographs in the middle of the day, the reason for this is that bright overhead Summer sun causes harsh shadows which are never very flattering. So portrait photography for me has to be either early in the morning, late afternoon or in the shade of a large tree. Whereas in the Autumn you get a beautiful mellow light practically all day long. The Sun isn't as strong and spends most of the day at a lower angle again meaning that I can play with much more flattering directional light when the sun is out and on days that are overcast or butter still, misty we have a soft defused light that will simply give the most flattering glow.
In addition to beautiful soft light we also have a pallet of mellow colours and tones. My photography style is "soft" I like to avoid too many bold contrasting colours and patterns leaning to nature to provide a background that flatters rather than jars with our skin tones. Autumn is perfect for this with it's muted softer colours and textures. Nature provides me with an array of beautiful background that will flatter your families photographs rather than distract always ensuring that you are the main focus.
My final and probably the most important reason Autumn is my favourite season for family portraits. Play. You can't take natural happy pictures without people being authentically natural and happy it simply doesn't work. And in order for the adults to be relaxed and happy firstly their children have to be relaxed happy, and the best and easiest way for that to happen (apart from an ample supply of snacks!) is for them to play.
During the Autumn season the natural world comes into it's own as a Childs playground. There are logs to climb and sit on, conkers to collect and leaves to kick high into the air. All of which not only help to entertain even the shyest of little ones but can provide interest for your pictures.
So there you have it, the reasons why Autumn is my favourite season for Family Portraits, what are your thoughts?
