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 book.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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 them into stunning keepsakes to share and cherish for years to come. From personalised calendars to wall art and photo books, 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.