fall is a time for familyThis fall, we were thrilled to welcome families to our property just north of Cobourg for a series of stunning fall photo sessions. Surrounded by beautiful colours, lots of trees and a large pond, our property provided the perfect backdrop for capturing cherished memories. We love incorporating elements that evoke the charm of the season. Our pumpkin patch was a favorite among families, where little ones excitedly picked their perfect pumpkins to take home. We also used straw bales, blankets, and rustic decor as props to create warm, inviting scenes for each session. the charm of the seasonHosting these sessions on our property allows us to blend the comfort of a private setting with the rustic charm of autumn. It’s always a delight to see families relax and enjoy the experience while we capture moments they’ll treasure forever. private setting means comfort and relaxationHosting these sessions on our property allows us to blend the comfort of a private setting with the rustic charm of autumn. It’s always a delight to see families relax and enjoy the experience while we capture moments they’ll treasure forever. lots of pumpkins available in our patchThank you to all the families who joined us this season! We’re already looking forward to next fall, and we can’t wait to welcome more families to our property to celebrate the beauty of the season.
A Cozy Fall Moment with the Cutest TrioThere’s something magical about fall—the crisp air, the golden leaves, and of course, pumpkins galore! Recently, I had the absolute joy of photographing a sweet little family enjoying all the best things about the season: Mom, Dad, and their adorable little guy. A SHOW STEALERTheir little one stole the show from the very start. With that smile and a laugh that could brighten anyone’s day, he lit up the entire session. Bundled up in the cutest corduroy coat with fuzzy details, he looked like he was straight out of a storybook. Mom and Dad, dressed perfectly in soft fall tones, were so sweet and playful, showering their little guy with kisses and tickles that brought out the biggest giggles. THE PERFECT BACKDROPWe found the perfect backdrop among the trees, with golden leaves adding a warm glow to every shot. The love between this family was undeniable—they’re not just a family, they’re a team. Watching them interact was such a reminder of how magical these everyday moments can be. As I captured moments of Dad’s gentle playfulness and Mom’s tender kisses, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude. Families like this make my job so rewarding. Seeing the joy they share and being trusted to preserve these memories is an honor. To this amazing family: Thank you for letting me be a part of your fall adventure. I hope these photos bring back all the warmth and happiness of this special day whenever you look at them!
A magical adventureThere’s something truly enchanting about seeing a child's eyes light up when they meet a unicorn. Recently, we had the absolute pleasure of photographing some incredibly excited kids with BB, our beautiful unicorn, for a series of magical photoshoots. Watching the kids marvel at BB was simply heartwarming; their smiles and laughter filled the day with joy. being in the momentBB, who has a calm and gentle personality, took to the children with such ease. Each child was captivated, petting BB’s soft mane and whispering their wishes. It was amazing to see them fully immersed in the moment, truly believing they were in the presence of a real unicorn. making memories with the unicornThe sessions turned into a series of precious memories—flower crowns, garlands, and wide-eyed wonder. Each little one got their own magical moment with the unicorn, and it was beautiful to capture these moments on camera. the joy and magic of unicorn photosThese unicorn sessions are always a reminder of the joy and magic we can bring into the lives of others. Seeing the happiness on their faces makes it all worthwhile. Thank you to everyone who joined us, and to BB for making dreams come true!
when this family wants to do a unique shoot...... You go with it! This fun family had a great idea for a spooky type of Hallowe'en session. They originally wanted to go with a Michael Myers theme, but the mask didn't arrive in time, so they chose this scary pumpkin face. Which I think worked out so well. It worked out well with the pumpkin faceThe Scary Pumpkin Face was actually these kids' uncle. So they thought it was so funny to have him dressed like that. They called him Uncle Pumpkin. He totally rocked his role as scary pumpkin faceAnd the day was threatening rain, so the atmosphere for the family session was just perfect. A dark and dreary day. Even if it had rained, the shoot would have been perfect. Of course, the fun is everywhereLooking for creative ways for your family photos?Bring your imagination... and we'll do the rest!
letting go and having funBefore sitting down and asking the kids to smile for a family photo session, it's a good idea to play and have fun with the kids. And this family did just that. burning off some energyRunning, tickling, goofing around... all of these things are great for letting the little ones have fun. It makes them love coming for photo sessions. And we encourage this, so future photography sessions can go smoothly when they remember how much fun they had before. We have a large pumpkin patch on our property, so during our fall family photo sessions, we let each child choose their own pumpkin to take home. The kids love it.
Incorporating the Cottage’s atmosphere and CharmThere’s something magical about photographing families at a place that holds deep meaning for them. Recently, I had the privilege of doing a family session at their beautiful island cottage on Stoney Lake, This picturesque location provided the perfect backdrop to capture memories for this wonderful family. Every year for the past 7 years I've been coming back to photograph them every Thanksgiving. I've so loved to see the kids grow up. They are wonderful to work with and make my time spent with them so pleasant. It truely is a priviledge to capture this for them. brother and sister making memoriesincluding grandparents in family sessionsAnd our session was even more special because it included the grandparents. I always love incorporating grandparents in family photos. They bring such warmth and legacy to the images, bridging generations and grounding the family story. Plus they are so much fun too! Family sessions like this remind me why I love what I do. It’s an honor to preserve these moments, to create images that families will treasure for generations.
Fall is the most popular time of year to get your family photos done. Whether you are wanting to update them, use them for Christmas gifts, or start a tradition each year, you will want to know how to dress. As we are in the middle of fall photo sessions and I get asked this question quite a bit, I have put together some tips for choosing your autumn wardrobe. But first and foremost:
start with mom's outfitIt can be hard to know where to begin, but think of it as building blocks. Start with one outfit and then you can build upon that. My recommendation is to start with mom (or daughter), since women’s clothing tends to have more colors and prints. And let’s be honest, we are more picky about how we look, and moms are typically pulling the outfits together anyways. My best advice is for you to wear a dress in your favorite color. Not only are dresses flattering, but you will feel good in it. If you hate dresses, think about a skirt/top combo, but choose something that is slightly dresser than your everyday look. Opt for high quality fabrics (not t-shirt material) because they hang better. choose a colour paletteAfter you’ve chosen mom’s outfit, think about 2-3 coordinating colors, some neutral and one of which pops and brings life to the outfits. think muted coloursAvoid overly saturated and bold colors, as they distract in the photo. Look for MUTED versions of the same color. For example, if you have a bright hot pink shirt, try a muted dusty rose instead. coordinate - don't matchGone are the days when everyone wears matching white polos and khakis for family photos on the beach. Choose colors that complement each other but are not overly matchy-matchy. For example, avoid wearing the same color top as your spouse or putting your girls in the same matching dresses. ADD VARIETY WITH SUBTLE PATTERNS.They say that variety is the spice of life right? To add depth and interest to your photos, create dimension by having primarily solids with a few coordinating subtle patterns and textures. Patterns are great in small doses and add a lot of your photo. Avoid bold, large prints that can distract from the photo though. You want your family photos to be about you and not merely your outfits. Layers are another way to add variety with cardigans, shawls, scarves, etc. fitted clothing is your friendWhile flowy shirts and dresses are currently in style, they can hide your shape and be less flattering in photos. Find clothes that are neither overly baggy nor too tight, and think about balance between your upper and lower half. If you have a flowing skirt, chose a fitted top, and with a loose top, choose skinny jeans. It’s all about balance, folks. dress for the weatherYou might have the perfect outfit on, but if you’re freezing or sweating to death, a family photo session can quickly unravel. Layering is the perfect solution for those chilly evenings or sweltering August days! Remember, little ones get cold more quickly than adults when temperatures are low, so pack a cardigan or sweater for them. Cold kiddos = sad photos…keep those kids warm! just be yourselfDon’t dress like someone else you saw on Pinterest just because you found an amazing outfit idea. You want these photos to represent the real you and your family and not be something that you aren’t. This might mean you wear shorts or torn up jeans or a boho vintage thrift store dress. Just be you!
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AuthorCathy & Jenn of CatsMac Photography, Cobourg, Ontario. Archives
December 2024
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