One of my favorite things about photographing families year after year is getting to watch their kids grow, and this family has been coming to me for fall mini sessions for years. With a family this size, there is always plenty of personality to capture, and I love creating a mix of the classic family portraits along with individual photos of the kids and all those little moments in between.

We photographed this fall session at Shell Ridge in Walnut Creek, one of my favorite East Bay locations for its rolling hills, winding trails and beautiful golden grasses. The hazy skies you see in these images were from smoke drifting into the Bay Area during the Camp Fire. Conditions were changing constantly that season, but thankfully we were able to safely photograph their session that day. The haze ended up creating a really soft, muted backdrop throughout the hills.

I also always love seeing how this family coordinates their outfits. With several kids, choosing clothing that works together without everyone matching can feel overwhelming, but the mix of burgundy, navy, gray and black worked beautifully against the neutral landscape.

Fall family mini sessions are short, but there is still plenty of time to create a beautiful variety of images. My goal is always to capture the portraits you’ll want framed on the wall while also leaving room for the personalities and connections that make your family yours.