There’s a two- or three-week window every fall when Utah’s canyons turn gold, the light goes soft and warm, and everything looks like it was made for a family photo. It’s my favorite time of year to shoot — and if you want your family on a wall (or this year’s holiday card) looking like that, a little planning goes a long way.
Here’s everything I’d tell you over coffee before a fall session: when to go, where to point us, and what to wear so you all look like yourselves — just the golden-hour version.
When to book: chasing Utah’s fall color
Utah’s fall color is worth chasing, but it doesn’t wait around. Up in the higher canyons — Park City, the Cottonwoods, Provo Canyon — the aspens usually peak from late September into mid-October. Down in the valley, the color hangs on a week or two longer. Weather nudges it earlier or later every year, so the move is to book early and stay a little flexible: I keep an eye on the canyons and we pick the moment.
One more reason to plan ahead — fall weekends fill fast, and golden hour creeps earlier as the season goes. The families who reach out in late summer get the best pick of dates and light.
Where to shoot: my favorite fall family spots
These are the places I come back to for fall families — a mix of full-on aspen-and-mountain drama and easy, kid-friendly options where nobody has to hike. (For the full list with addresses, fees, and a spot for every vibe, see my guide to choosing the perfect Utah location.)
For the aspens and mountain color
- Aspen Grove, Provo Canyon — dense golden aspens and dreamy late light. Hard to beat for classic fall family photos.
- Guardsman Pass, Park City — alpine overlooks and iconic fall aspens up high; big, cinematic color.
- Tibble Fork Reservoir, American Fork Canyon — a mountain lake with easy access and dramatic peaks behind you.
- Silver Lake at Brighton, Big Cottonwood Canyon — a flat boardwalk loop around an alpine lake: the mountain look without the hike (great with little ones or grandparents along).
- Jordan Pines, Big Cottonwood Canyon — forested and creekside with soft light; my go-to when there are toddlers in the mix.
- Logan Canyon (First Dam), Logan — water, mountains, and some of the best fall color in the state (a travel fee applies up here).
For easy access, close to the city
- Memory Grove, Salt Lake City — tree-lined paths and soft greenery minutes from downtown.
- Tunnel Springs Park, North Salt Lake — rolling hills and sweeping valley views at sunset.
- Antelope Island — big sky and golden light when you want something wide and cinematic (state-park fee).
What to wear: the fall family edition
This is the question I get most, so here’s the short version: wear things you’d actually wear, in colors that belong in an autumn landscape. A few rules of thumb that make a family look pulled-together without looking like a matching set:
Comfort first
Pick clothes you already feel like yourself in. A shoot is not the day to break in a stiff new outfit — if you’re tugging at a collar or the kids are itchy, it shows. Comfortable people photograph better, every single time.
Dress for the season (and the elevation)
Fall in the canyons is gorgeous and cold once the sun drops. Lean into it: layers are your friend — jackets, cardigans, chunky knits, scarves, a good hat. They add cozy texture to the photos and keep everyone happy between frames.
Build an earthy palette
Autumn does the color work for you. Aim for neutrals and earthy tones — cream, oatmeal, rust, mustard, olive, camel, deep denim. Softer versions of colors read better than bright primaries, which tend to pull the eye away from your faces. Think ochre instead of orange, sky blue instead of electric blue.
Complement — don’t match
The old “everyone in white shirts and jeans” trick turns a family into one blurry blob — you can’t tell where one person ends and the next begins. Instead, keep the whole family to about four colors and let them play together. Pick one person to wear a feature piece — say, mom in a rust dress — and dress everyone else in tones that complement it. Variety in color, texture, and layers is what makes a family photo sing.
Go easy on logos and loud patterns
Big logos and busy prints fight your faces for attention (and date a photo fast). If you love a pattern, keep it subtle and limit it to one person — a soft flannel or a small floral, not head-to-toe print.
Shoes you can actually walk in
We’ll be on uneven ground more often than not, so skip anything you can’t move in. Boots are perfect for the mountains and look great in fall — save the heels for the ballroom. Happy feet make for a happier session.
Still stuck? Bring two options per person and we’ll figure it out on the day. When you book, I’ll send my full fall wardrobe cheat-sheet — and you can always browse my what-to-wear guide for outdoor family photos for more.
Keeping it easy with the kids
If your main worry is whether the kids will melt down — I’ve got you. My sessions are loose and play-based; we keep it moving, keep it fun, and let the real moments happen instead of forcing everyone to say “cheese.” (I wrote up my honest on-set tricks in how to keep kids happy during family photos.)
Let’s plan your fall session
Fall books up fast and the color window is short — if you want your family in the aspens this year, now’s the time to grab a date. Tell me the vibe you’re after and roughly where you’re based, and I’ll help you pick the perfect spot and the best light.
— Preston
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