Fall Aesthetic Photo Shoot
“…a time of hot chocolatey mornings, and toasty marshmallow evenings, and, best of all, leaping into leaves!" ~Winnie the Pooh
Another autumn has entered our graces here in Northeastern Pennsylvania with the colorful mountains surrounding us, the smell of firewood burning at dusk every night, and of course the very aesthetic photographs on everyone’s feed. Ever wonder how to create those wonderfully aesthetic photographs?? Well, you near Erin luck, because I have some tips and advice to help you with just that this autumn!
STEP 1: LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
I live in a typical suburban neighborhood “where everyone knows your name.” It seems boring to the outsider, but homey to lifers such as myself. I love to seek out the beauty on every corner of my sweet valley. I suggest you do the same!! However, if you are stumped I suggest you seek:
A local park. There are almost always a bunch of trees and leaves that always make for good candid shots of you or a group having fun like you are 5 all over again throwing leaves at one another.
A local hiking trail. Trails scream autumn beauty! An abundance of trees and natural backgrounds for portrait photography.
A state park. I love traveling the ten minutes to our national park and walking around. I always seem to find a new spot by the water, on a trail, near a tree, by a bench, etc. that would make for a gorgeous background or even a really cute prop to use.
A local farm. If you live in the suburbs in Pennsylvania, then you know that if you travel ten minutes you will go from town to farm in seconds. Don’t be shy, and take your camera to the cows! Barns, fences, animals, and a gazebo are all really cute picture ops that are all over a public farm!
A public cemetery. If you are more interested in spooky than cute, this might be more of your scene. Just remember to always be respectful. Try not to walk on any of the resting places, and try to be quiet for the people who may be mourning a loved one.
If none of those interest you, I highly suggest using what you have in your home! I love getting creative with stuff I have around the house. Create a cute fall background with some pumpkins, flannels, flowers, hay bails, candles, grass, blankets, etc. You will be surprised how you can turn a metal fence into the perfect fall getaway.
STEP 2: THREE C’S - COMFY, CUTE, AND CONFIDENT
My biggest hassle is always trying to figure out what outfit works best for photographing myself. I am not a size two. I am not a size 18. I am somewhere in the middle, very short, and quite busty, which means I have a hard time finding girls who look like me on Pinterest, which is where I collect photos for all my vision and mood boards before I start a project.
My advice for all you gals who may or may not be shorties with big busts: wear what makes you comfortable and confident! I have tried oversized clothing. I have tried form fitting clothing. I have tried somewhere in between fits. If I am not comfy, I will show that in my face in every single shot. My go-to is always a vest, leggings, boots, and a baggy long sleeve/sweater/sweatshirt. It lets me feel comfy, cute, and confident. Plus it screams fall, which is very fortunate!
STEP 3: EQUIPMENT
A camera is always within an arm's length away from me, whether it be my cell phone, Canon, or my Polaroid. Needless to say I am ALWAYS snapping photos of things, people, and places in a candid manner. If you ask me candid photographs are most likely always going to be your frame worthy shots…I love capturing a moment that was unplanned. Nowadays a lot of phone cameras are just as good as a professional camera. Don’t be afraid to get creative with what you have! Stop focusing on the equipment and just have fun. When you get out of your own head and just go with the flow, photography becomes way more fun!
STEP 4: EDIT
Every photographer has their own way of editing. Some spend hours and others spend less than 5 minutes. It all depends on the look and feel of what you are going for in the photo. After a while you will notice that you have a theme to how you edit your photos, and figure out what you like and don’t like.
I tend to gravitate towards the same presets I’ve made overtime, and make very few edits to my photographs, other than some color correcting and a few touch ups here and there. I prefer the natural look (remember I am a candid lover, so the more natural the better).
A few apps I tend to use on a daily basis on my phone/iPad/laptop when it comes to editing/taking the photos:
Adobe Lightroom/Lightroom Classic
VSCO
Adobe Photoshop/Photoshop Express
Lens Buddy
Unscripted
Huji
Lens Distortions
Congratulations!! It is time to post your and/or frame your aesthetic fall masterpiece! Sit back and admire the beauty, and begin planning for the next season’s aesthetic.
Aesthetic and Comfy,
~Samantha Faith
