Oak Grove, San Jose

There are few settings for photography quite as special as the outdoors in the fall. I love doing outdoor family portrait sessions at any time of the year – especially given our lovely weather in the San Jose area – but there is something about the fall that takes the experience to a higher level.

Recently, it was my honor to complete a family portrait session in a beautiful oak grove with a wonderful family. This was a great shoot and the images are sure to be treasured for a lifetime. Let’s take a closer look below at what made this session so special, and if you are ready to do something similar for your family, make it a point to reach out right away for more information.

The Power of the Right Location

You’ll want to spend plenty of time in advance of your photo session thinking about where these pictures are going to be taken. It’s possible to do a family photo shoot in an indoor studio, of course, but many families will find that an outdoor location is a better fit for their vision.

In this case, it was a beautiful oak grove that served as the background for a fun family that was full of personality. This was the ideal place not only for the kids, but for the whole family to shine and capture images that they are be proud to share with family and friends.

Nailing Style to Perfection

With a group photo session like a family shoot, it’s important to coordinate the outfits of everyone in the pictures. That doesn’t mean everyone needs to match, of course, but the clothing choices should work together in a way that makes the finished product look nicely composed and carefully planned.

For our shoot in the oak grove, mom did an excellent job of selection outfits for everyone that worked together in a lovely manner. The colors she selected were fun and stylish, without being sold bold that they run the risk of looking dated later on.

Capturing the Moment

The great thing about taking family portraits with kids is the energy that they bring to the process. Where adults will sometimes tighten up and struggle to deliver personality to the camera, kids rarely have that problem. Not only do the kids naturally shine in a fall family photo shoot, but they also draw out expressions from their parents that may not have been captured otherwise.

There is Something Special About Outdoor Sessions

There are so many good reasons to opt for an outdoor location for your family portrait session. When kids are involved in a photo shoot, going outside for the session will give the kids room to run and play, and they will likely be far more engaged in the whole experience as a result. The variables of nature can be a little tricky to manage in some situations, but that’s where the experience of a professional photographer comes into play. As long as you have a proven professional behind the camera, everything will work out perfectly in the end.

We Can Tell Your Story Together

The ideal photo session for your family is one that is true to your story. For this family, the oak grove was a great choice, and you might want to do something similar – or something completely different. I’d be happy to lend my knowledge and experience in this area to help you pick out the perfect location for a fun and memorable fall family portrait shoot. Of course, great pictures can be taken at any time of year, so even if we are outside of the fall season, be sure to reach out and discuss your vision for this project. I hope we can collaborate soon!

If you would like to schedule a session or be on my mailing list for mini sessions, please just drop me an email.