Fall Family Portrait Session | Canton CT Family Photo Sessions

Family

There’s something magical about a crisp fall evening, golden leaves, and the love of a growing family. This Canton CT family photo session was all that and more—especially because it came together at the very last minute and still turned out beautifully.

This sweet family reached out to me in mid-September after welcoming their youngest child, ready to capture their first set of portraits as a new family of five. Thankfully, I had just a few open spots left on my calendar, and we were able to lock in a date during the peak of fall color in Canton, Connecticut.

Spoiler: It was stunning—and not at all the session I originally planned. And that’s one of the reasons I love what I do.

Planning a Fall Family Session in Canton, CT

Fall is hands-down one of the busiest seasons for family photographers in Connecticut, and for good reason! Between the foliage, the cozy outfits, and the soft evening light, there’s just something extra special about this time of year.

But here’s what most people don’t see behind the scenes: a lot of location scouting and planning. For every fall session, I’m constantly checking in on the foliage. One strong wind or a rainy day can strip the trees and change everything. That’s why flexibility—and a photographer you trust—is key.

The weekend before this Canton CT family photo session, I had photographed another family at a local park and found a perfect little nook bursting with color. I knew it would be just right for this new family of five.

But when I pulled into the park on session day, my heart sank a little. The tree I planned to shoot around had completely lost its leaves. The golden canopy I was counting on? Gone. In typical New England fashion, the weather had done its thing.

The Magic of Pivoting (and Trusting Your Photographer)

This is where the beauty of experience—and a bit of creative problem-solving—comes in.

After a quick walk through the area, I found a different spot in the park. The light was incredible. There was still some vibrant foliage, and the setting felt even more special. It had everything I look for when scouting a fall photo location:

Foliage

Foliage that was just starting to turn, which usually means it will last a few more days.

Lighting

The sun setting behind the trees, allowing that beautiful golden light to stream through.

Natural Elements

Fun natural elements like tall grasses and cool rock formations to add depth and variety to the gallery.

We didn’t have to hop around to different locations—everything we needed was right there in one little pocket of the park. And that simplicity kept the session stress-free and enjoyable, especially with young kids in tow.

Why I Love Fall Family Sessions in Canton, CT

Fall sessions offer so much variety—from the outfits and colors to the cozy connection of families enjoying the outdoors together. This family showed up in beautiful coordinated outfits, and they were ready to roll with whatever the evening brought (even if the backdrop had to shift last minute!).

We started with classic portraits of the whole family, then moved into more relaxed and candid shots. The older siblings were so sweet with their new baby brother, and we captured everything from snuggles to leaf-throwing giggles. The light, the laughter, the love—it all came together in the most genuine way.

This Canton CT family photo session is a great reminder that the most important part of family photography isn’t the location or the foliage—it’s the connection, the trust, and the flexibility to go with the flow.

Tips for Family Photographers Planning Fall Sessions

If you’re a family photographer planning your own fall sessions (or a client curious about how we make the magic happen), here are a few tips I swear by:

1. Scout Early and Often

Start checking your favorite locations in early September and continue weekly. Foliage changes fast, and staying ahead of it helps you guide your clients to the best spots.

2. Look for Backlighting

Aim for a location where the sun will set behind your main focal tree. That dreamy backlight can elevate even a simple spot into something extraordinary.

3. Don’t Chase the Whole Park

You don’t need a sprawling landscape. A small space with interesting textures, a tree or two, and good light is more than enough to create variety.

4. Embrace Nature’s Surprises

Have a Plan B (or C), and don’t panic when things don’t go exactly as planned. Sometimes the “backup” location turns out even better.

Celebrating New Beginnings with Fall Family Portraits

This Canton CT family photo session was such a joy—not just because of the perfect fall colors or beautiful golden hour light, but because of the family at the center of it all. They trusted me with their memories, showed up with open hearts, and embraced the magic of the season.

Whether you’re a growing family like this one or just want to press pause for a moment and soak up this season of life, fall is the perfect time to document your story.

If you’re hoping to plan a fall session next year, don’t wait too long—these dates go fast. And no matter what the leaves decide to do, we’ll make something beautiful together.

Choosing Sharon as Your CT Family Photographer

Why do you want Sharon Leger Photography as your Connecticut family photographer? First, you will be fully prepared for your session. This preparation includes detailed emails and videos before your session, in addition to a prep guide and questionnaire. Second, your session is thoughtfully strategized so that you get way more images than you ever thought possible. And finally, as a former elementary school teacher, Sharon is skilled at engaging and connecting with clients of all ages. Shy toddler? No problem! Cranky husband? I got you, mama! 

To learn more about Sharon Leger Photography, explore the website or follow Sharon on Instagram or Facebook. Please send inquiries through the website only. Please note that the website includes all relevant pricing and booking information.

If you are interested in booking Sharon Leger Photography as your Connecticut family photographer, please know that most spots book about six months out. Reach out today for current availability!

"I am so happy to have had Sharon capture photos of my family. She was so easy to work with, from scheduling to planning and coordinating, she could not have made the process more simple. She showed up on the day-of super prepared, with a whole wagon full of stuff just in case, including snacks for my kids! 

Kim

4 / 15

She worked so well with my children: she truly understands that children are going to get bored fast and she worked around their moods perfectly.

I love that she captured my kids' candid smiles, and not just the posed ones. To top it off, the final product was beyond my expectations and delivered in under a week! You can tell that she loves what she's doing and it shows in her work. She is truly a gem and I can't wait to work with her again as my children grow up!"

"We loved how simple and stress-free our son’s cake smash session was—we didn't need to worry about props or set-up. 

Alexis

When we showed up, Sharon had everything ready for us and we got to just be present in the moment. 

The portraits captured all the sweet little details we want to remember from his first birthday, and we were so happy to share them with our family. It was the perfect way to celebrate this milestone!" 

2 / 15

"Sharon was absolutely lovely to work with. I'm not the type of person who particularly enjoys photoshoots, but she is exceptionally adept at putting her clients at ease. Her studio is equal parts tranquil, tasteful and casual so that my wife and I were not in the least bit overwhelmed.

Kevin

Sharon anticipates every possible need and plans accordingly so that you don't have to. 

She is able to maintain the pace of her shoots, moving them forward judiciously without making the client feel rushed or unappreciated. She was completely down-to-earth and personable. It sounds cliché, but talking with her felt like catching up with an old friend – exactly we needed after the hectic experience of bringing our first child into the world. Sharon was more than worth the cost."

3 / 15

"Sharon was amazing to work with during our recent newborn session! She was very responsive with any questions I had before the session, and even offered advice on outfits for my older children. I borrowed a gorgeous dress from her client closet, which helped me feel more confident and comfortable for photos. 

Amanda

I was nervous about how the session would go with two young children and a newborn, but Sharon had everything so organized and prepared, that everything went flawlessly.

She was so calming and kind, and her studio felt so welcoming! The finished photos are all so beautiful, that I can't even come close to picking a favorite!"

4 / 15

"I was first introduced to Sharon in 2024 when I did a session of personality portraits, and I was instantly impressed. A few friends had used her before and raved about her work, and now I completely understand why! Sharon truly works magic behind the camera. She is incredibly organized, answering all questions and planning every detail ahead of time. 

Merissa

There’s never a need to stress about locations, directions, or even bad weather—she has a backup plan for everything!

One of my favorite parts of working with her is the dress consult to help plan outfits. She has such a great eye for style and helps put together looks that photograph beautifully."

5 / 15

"Sharon and Amy were fabulous! Right from the initial booking they made me feel special. I wore three beautiful dresses that Sharon already had available for me to wear from her client closet (I LOVE this feature!). We tried on several dresses until I found one that fit comfortably and I felt fabulous in.

Nicole

Amy & Sharon were great at communicating with me every step of the process.

Amy didn’t go overboard with the makeup, she made me look like myself but a little extra glam. An elevated version of myself. They were so fabulous and I would absolutely book them again. I 10/10 recommend Sharon and Amy for maternity or family photo sessions."

6 / 15

"Scheduling was super easy through her website and Sharon is very communicative. Sharon offers a dress consultation so you can go to her studio and try on multiple dresses that fit whatever theme you choose for your photo day.

Nicole

I've never seen a photographer offer a whole closet of dresses to choose from and this takes out ALL the stress of picking an outfit for pictures.

Another priceless offering when it comes to taking the stress out of family photos is hair and makeup (additional fee). I scheduled with Amy for a few hours before my shoot. Amy was so easy to talk to and did a fantastic job with the look I wanted. I'm already looking forward to another booking and have referred her to my friends and family. I cannot recommend Sharon and her team more."  
 

Kind Words

7 / 15

"We recently had our second family session with Sharon and 

Jenna

we were yet again blown away by the entire experience. 

From her expert outfit planning, to making the journey to join us at our beach for photos, Sharon created a relaxed, fun environment from beginning to end. The photos we received were beyond what I could have imagined! She captured our family perfectly!!"

8 / 15

"I recently had the pleasure of working with Sharon for a family beach session, and she was amazing from start to finish! Sharon's attention to detail and professionalism made the entire process seamless. Her empathetic and supportive nature made a world of difference, and the photos turned out beautifully. 

Alexis

I highly recommend Sharon to any mom looking for a talented and compassionate photographer, who takes the stress out of planning.

Her work is exceptional, and she truly cares about her clients. Thank you, Sharon, for capturing these moments for us!"

9 / 15

"Sharon is the absolute best! We worked with her for our maternity photos, newborn photos, and our cake smash one-year-old photos. Each time, Sharon is so professional and friendly, makes us feel right at home, and take the most beautiful photos. We are blown away every time! The client closet is awesome and Sharon really went the extra mile to find gowns that complimented me. 

Jen

We had so much fun taking all of these photos and can’t wait to work with her again!

We will cherish these photos forever."

10 / 15

"We did personality portraits for the second time with Sharon and they came out so well! 

Kelsey

The kids had such a blast and she really captured their unique personalities!"

11 / 15

"We did both our maternity and newborn photos with Sharon and she made each experience beyond amazing. I met Sharon first at our dress consultation and knew we were going to work well together. It’s incredible that she gives you access to some many dresses and really knows how to make a pregnant lady feel beautiful.

She made my husband (who admittedly did not want to take the pictures) feel so comfortable, got him laughing and even looking forward to the newborn shoot.

Then, at the newborn shoot Sharon was so patient with us (it was our first trip out) she again made me feel so beautiful in her huge selection of dresses and was so good and rocking out baby boy to sleep."

Alexa

12 / 15

"Stop reading reviews and just book your session with Sharon Leger Photography right now. Sharon has been there for my family even before we were an official family. She poetically captured our engagement, maternity and our newborn’s first photos.

I couldn’t imagine trusting anyone else with these precious moments.

I am not an easy client. I am nervous, unsure of myself and overly aware of every physical flaw (especially postpartum). Sharon made me feel comfortable and beautiful every step of the way. We love Sharon Leger Photography, especially the woman behind the lens! Thank you for everything, Sharon!"

Dawn

13 / 15

"Sharon is an absolute gem! It has been 3.5 years since I found her and since then she has captured the most adorable and perfect pictures of my two sons and our family.

From newborn sessions, cake smashes and family photos, not one detail has ever been overlooked. Her process is seamless and she makes everything so accessible and easy.

She offers so many options for photo opportunities and has perfected a style that really is timeless! She was so wonderful with each of my children when they were newborns, that it made the experience so worth it! Couldn’t recommend enough!"

Melissa

14 / 15

"It’s hard for me to find the perfect words to describe what Sharon has given me.

I reached out to her when I was thinking about doing maternity photos, and she quickly convinced me that I would not regret it. She was right. Not only do I not regret my maternity photos but I actually love everything about them. Every time I look at them, all of those amazing feelings I felt while I was pregnant come right back as if I’m still in the moment. They are something I will cherish forever."

Kimberly

15 / 15

Kind Words

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