Sunshine and Sweet Chaos: A Fall Floral Family Session
Golden light, a baby who could not stop grinning, and wildflowers that hadn’t quite given up on the season. That’s the short version of this fall floral family session at McCarthy Youth & Conservation County Park in Cottage Grove. These three showed up completely relaxed. Honestly, that is when we do our best work.
Let the Kids Lead
We tell every family the same thing before we start: just be yourselves. Play, laugh, tickle, chase. The camera is our problem. Your only job is to have fun with each other. Posed smiles fade from memory. But your daughter climbing on dad’s shoulders while everyone cracks up? That one ends up on the wall.
McCarthy Park gives us so much to work with. Open meadows roll into wooded edges. The terrain changes enough that we can pull three or four different looks without walking far. We timed this session for golden hour, and it paid off. Warm light wrapped around everything, turning the tall grass into something almost painted. If you’re considering family photography in Cottage Grove or anywhere near Madison, this park belongs on your list.
Our favorite frame from the evening was the quietest one. Mom leaned in to kiss the baby. Dad watched them both with this unguarded grin. The whole meadow glowed behind them. Nobody was thinking about the camera. That kind of connection is what we aim for in every session. A place like McCarthy makes it happen naturally.
When is the best time of year for a family session at McCarthy Park?
Late summer through mid-fall is our favorite window. The wildflowers are still blooming, the grass turns golden, and sunset light is warm and soft. Spring works beautifully here too, but fall gives you the richest color palette.
How do I book a family session with Twig & Olive?
Just reach out through our contact page and tell us a little about your family. We’ll help you pick the perfect location and time of day for the best light.
