We know—it’s that time of year again! 🍂 Autumn is rolling in, and the holidays are so close we can practically feel them. The ceremonial trip to the pumpkin patch brings back childhood nostalgia and gives us the chance to pass that tradition on to our kids. It’s timeless, meaningful, and one of the sweetest parts of motherhood.
As moms, we want our fall photos and pumpkin patch memories to last forever! As the founder and creative director of Only Little Once, and a mom whose children are now grown, I’ve spent decades behind the camera and in front of it—first as an assistant in my father’s photo studio working with brands like Kellogg’s, American Airlines, Lacoste, and Motorola, and later running photoshoots for my own company. These are my tried-and-true tips to make your next fall family photo session stress-free and stunning.
1. Choose Coordinated, Neutral Outfits
Select coordinating clothing in neutral tones—think beige, ivory, dusty rose, denim, olive, or soft gray. Avoid logos or bold patterns that can distract from the emotion of your photos.
As a designer, I always aim for timeless and classic styles that won’t look dated years from now. Flashback to the 1980s—don’t be the parent who let your child wear MC hammer pants in the family photo! Simple jeans, sweaters, and textures like chunky knits, linen, and soft flannel are always winners.
This year, our Linen Harvest Pinafore and Harvest Shirt were designed with exactly this purpose in mind: timeless, neutral, and versatile for any family look.
2. Prepare in Advance
A successful photo session starts before you arrive.
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Pack essentials: snacks, water, wet wipes, hairbrush, small first aid kit, and any necessary medications.
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Plan around naps—for little ones and grown-ups!
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Arrive early to find good light and avoid crowds.
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Trust your photographer—they understand lighting, composition, and pacing. When you’re relaxed, your children will be too.
3. Let Go of “Perfect”
Don’t expect your photo session to start flawlessly. Great photographers know how to ease families into comfort. A few joke shots at the beginning often help everyone relax.
Try a countdown cue—“3, 2, 1, give me your best Jack-O’Lantern smile!”—then capture a more natural expression right afterward. Play a game of "simon says" when giving instructions for the photos, and be sure to put enough natural, serious, normal smile prompts in there to get what you need,
Remember, candid photos often become the favorites. One of my most cherished photos of my 24 year old son shows him eating French fries at McDonald’s, lost in thought. It’s real, imperfect, and priceless. I can see his tiny fingers holding the french fries and putting them into his little mouth.
4. Use Editing Tools Wisely
Don’t hesitate to use light photo editing tools to enhance brightness or correct small flaws. On iPhone, adjusting exposure can make a huge difference. Apps like Facetune or Lightroom Mobile can brighten your photos while keeping them authentic.
Keep outfits clean, pressed, and on hangers for travel. Reusing a dry cleaner’s garment bag is an easy way to keep things fresh.
Make sure all outfits are clean, pressed, and on hangers to travel. Reusing a plastic garment bag from the dry cleaners is a great idea to keep things clean and fresh.
5. Pack a “Photo Kit”
Years of working in studios taught me to always have these TWO very basic essentials on hand:
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Hairbrush, comb, and a small spray bottle of water or hairspray
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Safety pins or clips for quick outfit fixes
- Snacks and Water for your children, any allergy medication, or things that are part of their normal routine
Check out my Photo Kit that we keep on hand for Only LIttle Once photoshoots, live videos, and social content. I learned the hard way, with the help of my father's experience in the industry, what is needed to make photos look "effortless"
Check out my LTK for some coordinating outfit suggestions to coordinate for the perfect look with our harvest collection!