FALL SALE!
$99 session – ($200 off)
50% off digital files
30% off prints, wall art and albums
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Fall family photos in Charleston look very different from Fall family photos in other places. And we love that about our town.
For one, it’s usually still plenty warm, which means you can take photos on the beach without bundling up. You can walk around downtown comfortably without layers but also without sweating. It’s still hot, but it’s not summer hot. For us locals, we think it’s just right.
And since we grew up right here in Charleston, we know where to go, when to go, and exactly what to do, to create the best Fall photos for your family. Plus, we have a really cool studio if you want to beat the heat completely.
Ready? Give us a call now at (843) 410 3076. Want more? Keep reading. 🙂
When to Book Fall Family Photos in Charleston
If you’re getting your photos done to use on holiday cards and to give as Christmas gifts, you should book your photographer for a date in September or October. We can often squeeze a few in in November, but if you want to guarantee you’ll have your photos back in time to make your cards and order prints and albums, play it safe and book in September and October. As for when to make that call or send that email to your photographer – contact us now! Dates for the Fall fill up quickly.
Where to Go: Charleston’s Best Locations for Fall Family Photos
Most Reliable: Hampton Park, on the upper peninsula downtown, is popular for Fall family photos, and with good reason. You can usually count on beautiful, golden light in the late afternoons. The ancient oaks with Spanish moss provide a very Southern backdrop. There are low tree branches to climb on, a duck pond to entertain everyone, a cute little bridge, and lots of green space for the kids to run around and just be their real, playful, energetic selves (which we will definitely encourage them to do, at least for part of it!). Hampton Park is also nice as a blank slate of sorts. Backgrounds are pastoral and clean, so the focus remains on you and your family, and all the love and fun you have together. The only potential downside of Hampton Park is its popularity. It will be filled with lots of families doing the same thing you’re doing, especially on weekends. We can help you avoid the crowds by booking you for a weekday session, which is much less crowded.
Most Scenic: Downtown Charleston’s Historic District remains a gorgeous, interesting location for family photos. We would begin in the park at White Point Garden (commonly called The Battery), and then go on a little walking adventure through the old streets of the historic district. We definitely have some favorite spots we’ll take you to, and let the light guide us the rest of the way! The historic district is a good choice for photos if you want Charleston-specific backgrounds such as pastel-painted homes, horses and carriages and cobblestone streets. One benefit of doing photos downtown is that there’s plenty to see and learn along the way, which keeps things interesting for you and for restless kids. Parking, which is free, is usually available around the perimeter of White Point Garden and also along the water by The Battery.
Most Natural: The beach! Charleston offers several beaches to choose from, and they each have their own personality: Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island and Kiawah. Pros of family photos on the beach are 1) the blank slate: It’s just the neutral color of the sand, the blue of the sky, and you. 2) It’s fun for the kids. The beach is an adventure for kids, and they will be excited to go there. 3) Lots of space for movement, energy, freedom. There’s really only one drawback to photos on the beach, and that’s the wind. If your session happens to fall on a windy day, everyone’s hair will get blown around, the wind might kick up some sand gusts, and some kids can get aggravated by it all. It doesn’t always happen, but it’s just something to keep in mind with beach sessions. There are a lot of external factors we can’t control that could impact your photos. I’d say 8-% of the time, though, the weather is good and it works out just fine.
The Easiest for Locals: Your own home! I know for us personally, our neighborhood is really special to us and I want our daughter to have photographic memories of our time there (who knows where life will take you?). Your own home and neighborhood can make a great location for your family photos. We start with photos in front of your home, and your backyard if it makes sense. We would then continue on either a walk to your favorite spots or your neighborhood park. This option works great for families with babies or younger kids who are more comfortable in familiar spots. A major benefit is you don’t have to worry about rounding everyone up, loading into the car, and looking for parking. Everything you need is right there.
Photo studio: There are so many benefits to doing family photos in a studio (especially ours 😉 ) You can do them at any time of the day – you don’t have to wait for the “perfect light” at early morning or evening. 2) They will be different from all of your friends’ photos. They are sophisticated and professional, with clean backgrounds and controlled, flattering light. They are timeless. We will do individual portraits of each person in the family, in addition to the whole family, just the kids, etc. You can even bring the family dog 🙂 And if you have a special or unique concept that you’d like us to try for you, let’s talk! Some of the wildest, most fun shoot ideas have come directly from our families.
What to Wear?
What to wear for your family photos is totally up to you and the kind of feeling you want convey. We’ve had families dress up in their very best. We’ve had some in shorts and bare feet. We always say, wear what you feel like yourself in, but the best version of yourself. We can help suggest color palettes so everyone’s outfits look good together. But there’s no need to match – that is definitely a thing of the past. And besides, part of this is celebrating who each person is in this specific moment of time. We want each of you to stand out in the most beautiful way 🙂
What to Do with the Photos?
Fall family photos are NOT just for your holiday cards that people will receive and, most likely, throw away once the holidays are over. These photos are for YOU, and for your children to experience every day on the walls of their home as the grow up. When children see themselves, and your love for them, celebrated on the walls of their home, they feel cherished and important. They get a confidence boost. They feel proud of who they are because they see how much you love them just as they are. After your session, we invite you into our studio’s presentation room to see your photos for the first time on our big screen. You’ll choose the ones you love the most, the ones that truly speak to you, and together we will design wall art for over the couch, the dining room, maybe the kids’ rooms, or even your office. Or perhaps you’d prefer an album or a series of prints. There are so many possibilities, and it’s such a joy to collaborate with our families to create something meaningful that will be loved by the whole family for generations.
Now, lets get something going for your family. Give us a call or send us a text at (843) 410-3076. Or you can write us in the form below. We can’t wait to meet you and your fantastic family.