14 Fun & Creative Fall Photoshoot Ideas

by Lina Thorne • Updated 9/22/2025 · Posted in Photography

For photographers, fall is a chance to effortlessly create some of the most visually stunning images of the year. Nature’s palette is filling with deep reds, earthy browns, glowing oranges and yellows, creating the perfect backdrop for every kind of photoshoot, be it a cozy portrait or a dramatic landscape.

What makes fall so special is its fleeting beauty. One week, the trees are alive with fiery color, and the next, the leaves are scattered on the ground. The light shifts too – softer, golden, and more flattering than the harsh summer sun. Moreover, fall offers a great deal of versatility. You can create photos that are filled with warmth and coziness. But you can also go for dramatic and moody vibes.

Here, you’ll find a great selection of fall photoshoot ideas. They can be applicable to pretty much any type of portrait photography – a solo portrait, a couple portrait, or a family photoshoot. Some ideas can work for other genres of photography, too! For instance, for landscape or street photography. Finally, our guide includes some practical tips on how to choose the location, the time, and the outfits for the photoshoot.

Fall Photoshoot Ideas

Fall is the season of abundance – both in nature and in inspiration. Here is a selection of fun and creative photoshoot ideas you can try:

1. Draw inspiration from the weather

The weather in the fall varies quite drastically. There are some sunny days with soft and somewhat dreamy light. This weather is perfect for some lovely and cozy shots. But you also get days with an overcast sky or lots of rain – and these are perfect for some moody and gloomy photoshoots. Shoot in different weather conditions to diversify your portfolio and show that you can adapt to any situation.

2. Try out different locations

Your goal as a photographer is to capture the beauty of the season. And of course, there’s no better way to do this than to shoot some nature landscapes or nature portraits. But you can also get creative and show fall in a city or a town – find a pretty building with some trees nearby or foliage on the ground to clearly show what season it is. A city park can mix urban textures with bursts of color. A beautiful location, like an estate that is now operating as a museum, that’s near a forest, would be ideal for portraits as it provides both gorgeous architecture and stunning scenery.

3. A fall road or walkway

This is a classic. Look for a road, trail, or even a bicycle path flanked by dense, colorful trees. A slight bend or curve in the path adds mystery, as the viewer can’t see what’s around the corner.

Remember that it must be a quiet road with few cars or other vehicles. This is vital since both you and your subject will need to be able to walk in the middle of the road. Also, it’s better to choose a road as your location when the photoshoot involves only adults. Kids or pets tend to run away, and you don’t want anyone to get accidentally hit by a car.

4. Play around with leaves

Ask your client to hold a colorful leaf in front of their face and take a close-up portrait. Alternatively, you can craft a wreath of fall leaves. Tell your client to jump into a pile of leaves, lie on the ground covered with leaves, or even toss them into the air. For the latter idea, you can use either a fast shutter speed to freeze the action or a slower shutter speed to create a motion blur. As an option, you can give a try to a leaf “balloon”, a leaf “skirt”, or leaf wings.

5. Misty mornings and evenings

Mist or fog is typical for the fall season, since the weather is getting cooler. Fog simplifies a busy scene since it mutes colors and helps isolate subjects, making shapes and lines more pronounced. Also, if you want to make your photos more cinematic, it’s a good idea to plan the shoot while the sun is still shining or bring a portable source of harsh light. With the light hitting the fog, you’ll get a scene that looks straight out of a movie.

6. Golden hour magic

The hour after sunrise and before sunset provides a soft, warm light that makes fall colors look more vibrant. You can position your subject so the low-hanging sun creates a stunning rim light. You can then take some silhouette photos or, if you’re photographing a person, use a reflector to bounce some light onto their face. Another idea is to incorporate flowy, earthy-toned fabrics that catch the wind – they will also look beautiful in a backlit portrait.

7. Fall picnic shoot

This is another classic. Please note, though, that the ground should be relatively dry and comfortable. A checkered or neutral-toned blanket is essential. If there’s an extra blanket, it can be draped over a couple’s shoulders for intimacy, or wrapped around a single subject for a sense of warmth and comfort. Ask your clients to bring a thermos of coffee or hot chocolate, a few pastries (muffins, croissants), apples, or a small pie. It’s important to avoid messy foods. If it’s a couple photoshoot, tell them to walk hand-in-hand through a leafy path, sit on a log sharing a laugh, or slow-dance in a clearing. The key is to keep them moving and interacting to avoid stiffness. Shoot wide to show the environment and tight to capture the glances, smiles, and other details.

8. Make use of different props

Props are storytelling tools that add layers of context and visual interest to your images. And they are something your client can interact with. Luckily, there are plenty of props to choose from:

• Candles, fairy lights, or lanterns. They will look much better if you’re shooting during the blue hour. Candles and lanterns can help you create a mysterious atmosphere or, on the contrary, add some extra coziness to the scene.
• If it’s a rainy day, experiment with an umbrella and leaves.
• Books are also great. Have your subject reading under a tree or carrying a stack of them.
• A basket full of apples, a bunch of dried wheat, a pumpkin, or a small bunch of flowers – all of these elements can tie the shoot to the harvest season.

9. Pumpkin patch, apple orchard, or corn maze

These places are very popular locations for a fall photoshoot, especially for family sessions. Apple trees can create rustic and cozy vibes, while a pumpkin patch is really fun and festive. For instance, you can get wide shots of the kids running through the pumpkin rows, mid-shots of them trying to lift a pumpkin too big for them, and close-ups of their muddy boots and hands on the pumpkins. It is all about authenticity and real emotions – use a faster shutter speed to freeze the action and genuine laughter.

Please note that you’ll need to get permission for a photoshoot beforehand. So, contact the owner of the location and ask for it. In some cases, you might need to pay a fee.

10. Reflections

Ideally, you need to go to a lake, a river or a pond that’s near a forest. Tell your model to sit on the bank and get some beautiful reflection shots. If you’re a landscape photographer, you can get some truly breathtaking and vibrant shots of the forest and its reflection in the water. If it’s a rainy day, use adverse weather to your advantage. Head out with a macro or telephoto lens. Look for puddles on the ground or water droplets on leaves.

11. Colored smoke bomb

This works best for late fall, when the majority of the colorful foliage is gone. The vibrant colors of the spoke bomb will pop against naked trees and overcast sky.

It’s important to have a bucket of water or sand nearby to fully extinguish the smoke bomb afterwards. Before using the bomb, clear the area of dry leaves and flammable debris. Check local regulations, as well. The wind direction is also crucial. Always stand upwind so the smoke blows away from you and your subject.

Shoot in continuous high-speed mode to capture the unique shapes of the smoke as it billows. Use a slightly faster shutter speed (1/250s or higher) to freeze the motion of the smoke and keep it defined. You’ll need to be quick because the smoke doesn’t last long.

12. Do an outdoor photoshoot with a portable RGB light

You can paint the scene with artificial color, creating a surreal, cinematic, and often dramatic effect against the natural backdrop. It can be a very creative twist on fall photography. Naturally, you must shoot at night or during the blue hour.

You need one or several RGB LED lights (e.g., Ulanzi 40w) or light sticks (e.g., Nanlite PavoTube). These are small, portable, and can be set to any color. You’ll probably need to mount the lights onto something, so you might require a tripod, too. And if you want to experiment with long exposure shots, a tripod is a must. Simply place the light on a stand to illuminate your subject with a solid, bold color, creating a stark contrast between them and the dark, natural environment.

13. Halloween photoshoot in a costume

It’s time for some spooky vibes! Create a sense of fantasy and mystery. Do a witchy photoshoot with your client dressed in gothic clothes and a pointy hat. It’s great if you add some candles and an old book that looks like a grimoire. Alternatively, your client can dress up like a ghost or some other supernatural creature.

Fall is a great time to do “The Mysterious Wanderer” photoshoot, as well. Ask your model to wear a long, flowing dress in a solid color (burgundy, navy, or cream). Shoot in a foggy forest or a field of tall, golden grasses. If you have a portable fog-machine, definitely utilize it! Tell your model to walk away from the camera, look into the distance, or interact with the environment (touching tree bark, looking up at the leaves). You can also shoot during the blue hour and have your model hold a lantern with a burning candle.

14. Twilight-inspired photoshoot

Yep, the Hoa Hoa Hoa season is here! So, if you or your client (ideally, both) is a fan of the Twilight Saga, you should definitely draw inspiration from it.

A gloomy weather with an overcast sky is preferable since that’s how it is usually in Forks, Washington. You need a dense, dark forest. Look for a location with moss-covered rocks and ferns as well as pine, fir, and spruce trees since their deep green provides a perfect cool-toned backdrop. Have your subjects lean against a dark tree trunk, stare into the distance, or walk slowly through the fog.

In editing, desaturate the warm tones (oranges, yellows) and emphasize the cool tones (greens, blues, and cyans).

Practical Tips

Now that we’ve got you inspired, here are some useful tips that will help you with preparation and execution.

Find the Right Time:

• Early fall (September). Focus on portraits with late-blooming flowers, and the first leaves turning yellow. The weather tends to be nicer, and there are more sunny days.
• Peak color (October): In many regions, mid-October is the safest bet for the most vibrant leaves, but weather conditions make it unpredictable year to year. Note that the peak season doesn’t last long, so you need to be flexible. Be ready to reschedule sessions if nature peaks earlier or later than expected.
• Late fall (November). Shift your focus to the moody, minimalist beauty of bare branches, fallen leaves, and early frosts. This time is perfect for some dramatic and moody portraits with gothic vibes.

Pick the Perfect Location:

• Scout digitally & physically. First, use Google Maps or similar tools in satellite view to identify areas with dense tree coverage. Look for forests, parks, nature reserves, and even specific neighborhoods that should look especially beautiful during fall. Then, physically visit your top choices at the same time of day you plan to shoot. This will give you a better understanding of what the light will be during the shoot.
• Make sure there’s variety. Ideally, the location you choose should offer multiple spots that you can use as backdrops within a short walking distance. For instance, a dense grove of maples for intense color, a pine forest for contrast, an open field for golden hour, and a water source (pond, stream) for reflections.

Choose Outfits Wisely:

• Guide your clients. Choosing the right clothes plays a big role in how fall photos come together. Encourage your clients to avoid logos and neon colors. Provide them with a detailed style guide or a Pinterest mood board, so they’ll know what you want them to wear. At the same time, prioritize comfort. If your clients feel good in what they’re wearing, they’re dressed warmly, and wear comfortable shoes, they’ll feel more relaxed in front of your lens. And that’s exactly what you need.
• Opt for cohesive colors. Earth tones. You can go for neutral colors like cream, beige, camel, brown, grey, olive green. This way, your main subject won’t clash with the environment. Earthy jewel tones. Deep burgundy, mustard yellow, forest green. Use these to create an intentional color harmony. For example, a mustard yellow sweater will pop beautifully against a background with blue tones (like a spruce tree or a deep blue sky). Color theory. Use a color wheel. Colors opposite each other (complementary) create vibrant contrast (e.g., a blue outfit against orange leaves). Analogous colors (next to each other) create harmony (e.g., a burgundy dress with yellow and orange leaves).

Prep Your Photos for Sharing:

• Protect your work. Before posting on social media, add a subtle watermark to your images, so they can’t be easily reused without credit.
• Optimize for the web. Resize and compress images, so they load quickly online without losing quality.
• Keep privacy in mind. If your photos include bystanders, children, or private property, consider blurring faces or other sensitive data.
• Focus on details. Crop your photos to highlight key elements (a smile, a pair of hands holding leaves, or the symmetry of tree branches) and remove distractions from the frame.
• Add context. Overlay text on your photos to include your name, logo, date, or even a short message that tells the story behind the image.

Summing Up

Fall is an astonishingly beautiful season that offers versatility and a plethora of ideas. Nature is brimming with colors, and the light is soft and flattering. It’s your chance to create photos that your clients will love and that will attract new clients. Just remember that planning matters. You need to choose the right location, the right time, the right light, and the right weather. And also help your clients choose the right outfits.

Hopefully, the ideas from our guide have inspired you, while our practical tips have given you a better understanding of how to better execute them. Keep in mind that your unique creative vision is what will transform these ideas into something truly mesmerizing and beautiful.