2026 Fall Portrait Sessions

Fall is when everything lines up. The light drops lower, the colors turn, and suddenly every location we love looks like it was designed for portraits. Our fall portrait sessions are built around that window, and we’ve been refining how we shoot it for over a decade.

These sessions are for everyone. Families with little kids who won’t sit still, couples who want something real, seniors marking the end of one chapter and the start of another, and multigenerational groups who rarely get everyone in the same place. We shoot all of it, and we love all of it.

What Makes These Sessions Different

We totally reject the idea of “doing pictures”. Our whole approach is that this should be an experience where you spend genuine time and have authentic connections with your family. We’re simply there to document that and help the process by creating an experience that feels real for all age groups. We scout the light, we create with intention, and we give you images that feel like your family, not a template. If you’ve been putting off getting in front of the camera, fall is the time to do it.

I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for capturing my babies and us just as we are in this wild and chaotic season. 2 under 2 is HARD, but these photos made me FEEL and I haven’t done that in a long time. Thank you for reminding me of my “why” and for giving me precious memories to hang on my walls for years to come! Hope to see you again when you’re back in Florida!
— Kristen W.
A young boy lies on his mother's lap, gazing up with a calm expression, surrounded by intricate patterns and soft fabrics.
Portrait of a smiling young girl with an autumn leaf background
A family of six walks together in front of a rustic wooden barn, the mother in a flowing dress, and the children in coordinated outfits.
A woman with dark hair whispers into a man's ear as he smiles, wearing glasses and a beige jacket in a natural outdoor setting.
A joyful family of four embracing in a sunlit autumn forest, sharing a moment of laughter and closeness.
Young girl with blonde hair smiling while holding a colorful autumn leaf in front of her face
A family of four running joyfully through a grassy field, with two young boys leading the way holding a football, followed by their parents.
A mother in a flowing burgundy dress joyfully holds her young daughter in a sunlit field with autumn colors, surrounded by tall grasses and trees in the background.
A family of four sits closely together, laughing and smiling amidst autumn foliage, as the sun sets behind them.
A mother holding hands with her two children, walking along a natural path bordered by tall grass, all dressed in vintage style clothing
Three young girls with blonde hair sharing a joyful moment, with the girl in the center smiling brightly while wearing black-rimmed glasses, and the girl on the right wearing a wide-brimmed black hat.
Toddler girl with blonde hair looking up while holding on to her mother's red dress
A family of four, including a pregnant mother, stands in a sunlit field with autumn foliage, sharing a moment of joy and togetherness.
A young boy peeks through tall white flowers in a sunlit field, with a gentle smile on his face, wearing a denim jacket.

What to Know About Fall Portrait Sessions

  • For Everyone: Our fall portrait sessions work for families, couples, seniors, maternity, and multigenerational groups. All people and all kinds of families are welcome.

  • Four Session Types: Choose from a 30-minute Mini, a 60-minute Deluxe, or a 90-minute Adventure or extended-family Generations session. Each one is tailored to how you want to spend your time.

  • Sunset Priority Available: Sessions run throughout the fall season. If you want that golden-hour warmth, our Adventure and Generations sessions include sunset-priority scheduling.

Where We Shoot

Most of our fall portrait sessions happen in and around Madison, Wisconsin. Dane County’s parks and trails give us everything from open prairie to deep forest canopy, and we know the timing for peak color at each one. Some of our go-to spots include McCarthy Park, the UW Arboretum, and Token Creek Park.

We also travel. If you’re in Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Dubuque, Rochester, Lake Elmo, Central Florida, or San Diego, check our calendar to see when we’re headed your way.

Wow!!!! The photos are AMAZING! Doug you really captured the personalities of the kids and they look so beautiful! You weren’t joking about Harrison- he really slayed it and even some smiles from Colette. Thank you for capturing this moment in time for us. We love them!! I love the random cows… so very Wisconsin!!
— Erica K.

How to Book: Three Easy Steps

Illustration of a tree with multicolored autumn leaves and the text 'Choose Your Story' on a warm beige background.

First, choose from the four sessions below

Hand holding an ornate invitation card that says 'Purchase Your Session' with a blurred autumn forest background.

Next, add the session to your cart and pay

Blank calendar hanging with a scenic fall foliage background.

Finally, email us to schedule your date

Just wanted to send a real quick THANK YOU. I didn’t know what to expect with our session, we have only used a friend photographer in the past where we used to live up by Eagle River. My kids were not looking forward to last night but Doug, you killed it. They loved it. The whole experience was so refreshing and my kids are already asking to do it again next year :) We are looking forward to more sessions in the future. Thanks so so much!
— Megan W.

Mini and Deluxe Sessions

Our core sessions cover most of what people are looking for. The Mini is focused and efficient. The Deluxe gives us room to explore. Both are designed to feel relaxed and produce images you’ll actually want on your walls.

Mini Session

Fall Portrait Sessions

  • Duration: 30 minutes

  • Gallery: 30-45 images
  • Included: 10 digital images (additional images can be purchased)
  • Cost: $300

  • Ideal For: Families or couples who want beautiful fall portraits without a huge time commitment. Great for annual updates or capturing a specific milestone.

Deluxe Session

Fall Portrait Sessions
  • Duration: 60 minutes
  • Gallery: 50-75 images
  • Included: All digital images + 11×14 mounted lustre print
  • Cost: $700

  • Ideal For: Families or couples who want more variety, more locations, and more time to settle in. The full gallery means you get the candid moments alongside the posed ones.

Adventure and Generations Sessions

Our premier sessions are for those who want to go deeper. These are 90-minute sessions built around your story, your people, and the kind of images you want to pass down. Both options include sunset priority scheduling, a full digital gallery, and a signature 4×6 heirloom print box.

Adventure Session

Fall Portrait Sessions
  • Duration: 90 minutes
  • Gallery: 75-100 images
  • Included: All digital images + 4×6 signature heirloom print box
  • Sunset Priority: Golden hour sessions for those magical and warm images that capture the essence of togetherness.
  • Cost: $975

  • Ideal For: Families or couples who want to move, explore, and do something a little different. We hike, we play, we chase the light.

Generations Session

Fall Portrait Sessions
  • Duration: 90 minutes
  • Gallery: 75-100 images
  • Included: All digital images + 4×6 signature heirloom print box
  • Sunset Priority: Golden hour sessions for those magical and warm images that capture the essence of togetherness.
  • Cost: $975

  • Ideal For: Extended families and multigenerational groups. We handle the logistics so everyone gets their combinations without the chaos.

I had to tell you – right after we pulled out of the parking lot, Wren said “I like that guy, can he take our pictures next year, too?” It takes her a while to warm up to people, but you’re in now! Juniper obviously loved you, too!
— Amanda B.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fall Portrait Sessions

When is the best time to book a fall portrait session in Madison?

Peak fall color in the Madison area typically runs from late September through mid-October, but it shifts every year. We recommend booking early because our fall calendar fills quickly. You can check availability on our calendar page.

What should we wear to an outdoor fall session?

Layers, texture, and earthy tones work best against fall foliage. Avoid large logos and matching outfits. We also have a client closet with styled pieces you can borrow for your session.

Do you travel outside of Madison for fall sessions?

Yes. We regularly travel to Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and several other cities throughout the fall season. Check our calendar to see where we’ll be next, or reach out to ask about your area.

Have Questions About Fall Portrait Sessions?

Whether you’re trying to figure out which session is right for your family, want to know what locations look best in October, or just need help picking a date, we’re here. Fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you.

More Client Testimonials

These are just a few of the messages we get after sessions. If you want to hear more from the people we’ve worked with, browse our full client testimonials collection for hundreds of real stories from real families.

Hey, I just wanted to pass on a huge thank you to Doug. Not only did you help my boys forget that they were cold/annoyed with their clothes/uncomfortable/rather be playing Xbox/blah blah blah, you had them cracking up and made the whole session fun and painless. Not to mention, cracking a genuine smile from the teen. I know your brand is built on authentic smiles and all, but you’re truly a master at your craft. Thanks again!
— Angela A.
We just wanted to thank Doug for the amazing photos. We honestly didn’t think we got any happy ones of our little guy as he was so tired they all turned out so beautiful. Just want to say thank you and that you all are so talented at what you do!
— Brianna S.
Thank you so much for a great session on Friday! From the rescheduling to the wardrobe help and then being a toddler whisperer, it all was much appreciated! The pics you got of Nora and Baker just make my heart happy, so thank you!!
— Lisa P.