10 autumn photography tips

By Photobox on 20 October 2026

Whether you’re exploring leafy forests or misty cities, we’ve got some tips on how to take good autumn photos and soak up all the vibrant colours of the season. Ready to capture those autumn vibes?

Woman with an open photo book on her lap, showing a full-page photo of a family hugging outdoors in autumn gear on the left and a picture of a squirrel and a little boy looking through binoculars on the right, illustrating Photobox’s 10 autumn photography tips.

Autumn is all about romantic vibes, golden sunsets and bold colours. In short, it’s the perfect time to grab your camera and get creative in the great outdoors.

Whether you’re planning a family adventure in the forest or a seaside stroll with your besties, we’ve got 10 autumn photography tips to help you capture those picture-perfect moments. Get ready to take some stunning snaps you’ll be proud to show off in your next coffee table photo book.

1. Find the perfect spot to make those autumn colours pop

Woman walking through woodland beside a body of water, with orange and red autumn leaves on the trees and covering the ground, illustrating Photobox’s tip for finding the perfect spot for autumn photos.

Nothing can beat nature when it comes to finding the perfect autumn scene. The season comes with a crash of colour that makes every backdrop look like a painting. Go for a stroll, by yourself or with a loved one, to capture the hues in all their glory. You could head to a local nature reserve or woodland and look out for the season’s signature earthy crimsons, rusty reds and flashes of yellow.

Top tip: opt for the landscape mode on your phone or camera to capture larger-than-life woodland panoramas and get your autumn forest photography to the next level.

2. Capture cosy textures

Close-up of an orange autumn leaf showing all of its detailed texture, illustrating Photobox’s tip for capturing cosy textures in autumn photography.

Autumn isn’t just about the sights – it’s about the feels too. Think about the intricate arteries of a leaf, the rugged wrinkles of a weathered tree stump or the snuggly warmth of a thick woolly jumper. There’s so much more to autumn than meets the eye, so focus on textures too to capture the cosy vibes in your autumn photography. And Mother Nature’s not your only inspiration. Keep your eyes peeled for comforting textures you’ll find at home, such as chunky blankets, knitted scarves and bobble hats.

Top tip: if your phone has a macro mode, get close and capture as much detail as possible to really feel the autumn vibes. If you’ve got a camera with a macro lens, now’s the time to use it.

3. Play with puddles and reflections

Dad and his young son squatting beside the water in an autumnal outdoor setting, illustrating Photobox’s tip for playing with puddles and reflections in autumn photography.

A rainy day might not seem like a great time for a photography session, but we say – embrace it! Rain gives you the perfect excuse to get creative with reflections, and this time of year brings opportunities aplenty. Look out for colourful forest canopies reflected in a lake or pond. Or, if you’re shooting in an urban environment, get down low and see what magic you can capture in the reflection of a rain puddle.

Whether it raindrops, ripples or the way the wind dances across the water’s surface, autumn is a great time to experiment with abstract shots and discover beauty in unexpected ways.

4. Spot and snap some wildlife

Close-up of a red squirrel hanging off a green tree trunk, illustrating Photobox’s tip for spotting and snapping wildlife in autumn photography.

For creatures great and small, this time of year is all about preparing for winter. Point your camera towards the skies every so often to photograph flocks of migrating birds. Pause by a tree to see if you can snap a squirrel stocking up on food or head to the local nature reserve for a chance to spot a deer, fox or bunny.

If you wanna go the extra mile, try blending in with your environment by wearing neutral, earthy colours. That way, you won’t spook any furry friends and might just land that spectacular wildlife shot you’ve wanted.

Top tip: if your phone or camera has a sports shooting mode, it’ll help you focus on fast-moving animals. And make sure to turn off your flash because you don’t want to startle or harm them!

5. Make the most of the golden light

Back of a woman’s head as she wears a woolly bobble hat and holds a dog in her arms, illustrating Photobox’s tip for making the most of the golden light in autumn photography.

To capture the best autumn mood, make use of the great, natural lighting that the season brings. We’re talking about the golden hour, of course. The sweet spot just after sunrise or right before sunset when the light is low in the sky, casting warm, soft rays that make colours pop and subjects glow. Oh, and as a bonus, this is also when wildlife is at its busiest, so keep your eyes and ears open for signs of life. This is the perfect time to get the best out of your autumn nature photography.

6. Picture-perfect autumn portraits

Framed photo canvas of a woman holding her son in an autumnal outdoor setting, hanging above a sideboard with a blue vase of orange flowers, illustrating Photobox’s tip for taking picture-perfect autumn portraits.

With its stunning landscapes and flattering light, autumn is the ideal time to get some new portrait shots with your loved ones. Bundle up in your favourite cosy outfits and head outdoors. Whether you’re gathering in your garden or heading to a local park, look for a backdrop of colourful leaves and natural textures.

Again, the golden hour is your friend when it comes to taking flattering pictures. So why not create the next family portrait and print it on a cosy photo canvas or personalised greeting cards?

Top tip: opt for the portrait mode of your camera or phone to keep the focus on your subject while giving the background a nice, soft blur. If you’re using a camera, open the aperture wide open to f/2.8 or f/1.8. for that dreamy effect.

7. Autumn props to the stage, please

Smiling little boy outdoors in a coat, scarf and hat, with lots of autumn leaves in the foreground, illustrating Photobox’s tip for using autumn props to capture fun, candid photos.

What do you associate with autumn? Pumpkins, acorns, fallen leaves? Add a fun element to your photo shoots and give the subjects some props to play around with. It’ll help them relax and will give you the perfect opportunity to capture some fun, candid moments.

Autumn is also the season of pumpkin spice; hot drinks, cakes, you name it. It’s a staple must-have of the autumnal season and the perfect gateway for posting trendy autumn photos on your social media. Not to mention it tastes a-mazing. Bring out the seasonal treats while you snap away and practise your autumn food photography. Oh, and don’t forget the quintessential pumpkin patch photo shoots and you’re well on your way to becoming an autumn photography pro.

8. Atmospheric filters galore

Dad carrying his young son on his shoulders, both wearing hats and jumpers, with lots of trees with yellow leaves in the background, illustrating Photobox’s tip for using atmospheric filters to enhance autumn photos.

How to make a photo look like autumn if the sky is crystal blue and the day looks like summer? Easy, attach a polarising filter to your camera lens. This will soften your image and help you reduce the glare that often bounces off the surface of water and leaves. The filter will also boost the saturation of your pics and make those lush colours look even more intense.

Top amateur photography tip: polarising filters are traditionally used with cameras, but you can also buy them to fit your smartphone camera lens.

9. Tell your story snap by snap

Girl in a leopard print coat holding two leaves over her eyes while a boy behind her holds up bunny ears behind her head, as they play outside, illustrating Photobox’s tip for telling the story of your autumn day snap by snap.

If you want to capture an adventure-filled day, take a series of pictures to tell the whole story. From the family stroll by the coast to the trip to the local pumpkin patch, take a collection of pics that capture the mood of the day and those candid moments. Here are some photography tips:

Your children bundling up in their woolly hats and gloves before heading outside
The view from your car window as you arrive at your leafy or beachy destination (best to let your little ones snap these photos if you’re driving)
Your little ones’ reactions as they play with the crunchy autumn leaves
Scenes from your family picnic in the woods
The golden sunset lighting up the sky on your way home

Top tip: mix it up by using different focal lengths. Zoom in on details such as welly boots and acorns, and switch to a wide-angle shot to capture the landscape in all its glory.

10. Share your adventures

Selection of personalised photo products featuring different autumn photos, including a squirrel on a mug, a child in winter gear on a canvas and a family in autumn on a photo book, illustrating Photobox’s tip for sharing your autumn adventures.

After a fun-filled day outside, there’s nothing better than curling up at home and swiping through your new pictures. Pick your faves and turn your them into stunning keepsakes to share and cherish for years to come. From personalised calendars to wall art, photo prints and photo albums, it’s time to bring your autumn adventures to life.

Our most important autumn photography tip: have fun! Enjoy the beauty of this colourful season get busy making memories with your loved ones that you’ll want to capture and cherish forever.

Get creative wherever you are with our app, and make something special with your favourite moments.

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