Autumn Portrait Ideas

[LightWriter6208]

Hi, Everyone...I have a question.
Some friends have asked me to take their family portraits at a beautiful park near here. Subjects would range from a couple of toddlers to several adults. I plan to get a hay bale and possibly an apple basket and maybe a pumpkin or two, but I'm hoping for some ideas on setting up a pretty scene and some posing possibilities.
Suggestions?
Thanks bunches,
Alice

[Melody]

Hey Alice!

Honestly if the park is pretty and has the autumn colors I don't think I'd clutter it with 'props' just leave it natural and work with mother natures stuff ;)

I would request they wear earth tones so their clothes don't compete with your overall colors...

You might if you have the time take them to a local pumpkin patch or something, they typically have the bales, and displays which most owners don't mind if you take a few shots. You could give them a copy if you like for their trouble and it might even lead to their customers seeing it and making requests for you to do the same with them :) Close up's of toddlers hugging a huge pumpkin could be adorable and you won't have to carry a darn thing! :getdown:

If you really want a prop for the park, maybe a blanket, picnic basket etc. something that goes with the setting. Any bridges you could gather them at or water at all? Maybe get some shots during the same time of day prior to event to see where your light will be best.

Melody

[LightWriter6208]

Hi, Melody...I like your ideas. This park is so beautiful this time of year. Part of it is an old iron works that still has parts of it there, like a beautiful stone wall that people can sit on and a huge wagon that can be climbed on. It's also a trout park with a sidewalk and a split rail fence along side the stream.
I like your idea of a picnic...I have a basket with plastic tableware...that might work well for the little ones and the families.
We're doing this on the 22nd and I'll post some afterwards for critiquing.
Thank you!!!
Alice

[Igor]

Hey Alice! Glad to see you back!!! :clap:
I agree with Melody, natural fall colors would be the best! Just find nice places...

[LightWriter6208]

Hi Igor...thanks for the welcome...I'm glad to be back. I'll be posting some shots soon.

Alice

[HairyHaggis]

You could maybe take a length of rope, and make a kinda tree swing effort for the kids to fool around on , and have the parents / adults sitting around said picnic area with kids to the side or background ... a whole family feel to it?

There is also the inevitable leave pile, which I am sure would also give opportunistic shots as everyone chipped in to gather ???

The leaf fights ???