It’s funny.  I general mourn the end of summer and dread the onset of fall as I know it is about to lead into a slushy and stormy winter.  However, when I really think about it, I love the colours and the lighting of fall.

Over the years we have done the bulk of our family portrait sessions during this time, and perhaps I was soo busy scheduling, shooting, and editing, that I have forgotten to stop and enjoy the beauty around me.

So in preparation for this new website, and our recent shift away from doing so many portrait sessions, I had to skim through almost a decade worth of portrait sessions to pick some select images for our new portfolio pages.  In doing so, I found a fall photos that stood out to me.

Leaves!

© Travis Parsons

I have found that some of the best images I get of a kid’s natural laugh and smile comes from the moments I ask them to throw leaves at me.  It’s always a sure way to get a laugh out of mom and dad too.

These photos generally take 3 or 4 takes as the timing of all family members doesn’t sync properly, or because sometimes leaves will block a person’s face.  Either way, it’s always a fun time for the family, and it always results in a fun and natural photo.  Well, as natural a photo as you can get when throwing leaves at someone.

The best images I get of a kid’s natural laugh and smile comes from the moments I ask them to throw leaves at me

The problem with living on the Burin Peninsula is that leaves aren’t always a readily available resource.  So when we do find a nice tree in a nice location with some nice lighting, those leaf photos mean that we have to keep collecting the same leaves for each shot attempt we take to get the shot!