In This Guide
- Why Back-to-School Photos Matter More Than You Think
- The Best Time to Book in Edmonton
- Top Edmonton Locations for Fall Family Sessions
- What to Wear for Back-to-School Photos
- How to Get Natural Smiles From Kids
- What to Expect During Your Session
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Back-to-School Photos Matter More Than You Think
I am going to say something that every parent of a teenager will nod their head at: they grow up so fast. I know it sounds cliché. But as a family photographer in Edmonton, I see it more clearly than most. A family comes in for back-to-school photos in September, and their six-year-old is missing two front teeth and wearing a superhero backpack. The next September, those teeth have grown in, the backpack is different, and that little kid looks completely different.
Back-to-school family photos are not just about marking the start of a new school year. They are about freezing a very specific moment in your family’s timeline. The height differences between siblings. The way your youngest still holds your hand. The pride on your child’s face as they head into a new grade. These details change fast, and they do not wait for you to be ready.
| Stat | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Parents Who Wish They Had More Family Photos | 87% | Shutterfly Family Photo Survey, 2024 |
| Avg. Height Change Per Year (Ages 5-10) | 2.5 in | Canadian Paediatric Society |
Moreover, for many families in Edmonton, back-to-school season coincides with the most beautiful time of year. The river valley is turning gold and red. The light is warm and low. The weather is still comfortable enough for outdoor sessions. It is genuinely the perfect time for family photos, and the back-to-school milestone gives you a reason to make it happen.
The Best Time to Book in Edmonton
Edmonton’s fall season is short but spectacular. The window for those perfect golden-leaf backdrops typically runs from the last week of August through mid-October. Here is how I think about the timing:
Late August (Before School Starts)
Booking a session the week before school starts lets you capture the anticipation. Kids are excited, maybe a little nervous, wearing their brand-new outfits. The summer tan is still there. The leaves have not turned yet, so you get rich green backdrops. This is ideal if you want that “last day of summer, first day of a new chapter” feeling.
September (First Weeks of School)
This is the most popular window, and for good reason. The leaves are starting to turn. The light is warm and golden. Your kids have settled into their new routine and have stories to tell about their new teachers and classmates. The energy is fresh. However, because it is so popular, I recommend booking at least three to four weeks in advance. My September weekends fill up fast.
Early October (Peak Fall Colour)
If you want the full autumn experience — golden canopy, fallen leaves, warm scarves — early October is your window. Edmonton’s river valley parks are absolutely stunning during this period. The risk is weather. Edmonton can get its first snow as early as October, and the leaves can drop quickly after a cold snap. So flexibility helps.
Booking Tip
I always recommend booking a weekday session if your schedule allows. Weekday evenings in September have the same gorgeous light as weekends, but with fewer crowds at popular locations. Plus, your kids have been in school all day — they are ready to run around and be themselves, which makes for the best candid shots.
Top Edmonton Locations for Fall Family Sessions
Edmonton has an incredible network of parks, trails, and natural spaces that work beautifully for family photography. Here are my favourites for back-to-school sessions:
Location Best For Peak Fall Colour
Government House Park Manicured gardens, elegant feel, easy parking Mid-September to early October
Hawrelak Park Lake reflections, wide open spaces, family-friendly Late September to mid-October
Mill Creek Ravine Dense tree canopy, bridge features, urban nature feel Mid to late September
River Valley Trails (Emily Murphy) River views, layered backgrounds, variety of terrain September through October
St. Albert Botanical Garden Structured gardens, benches, intimate family feel Late August to September
Whitemud Park Boardwalks, creek features, adventurous vibe for kids September to early October
Each of these locations offers something different, and I help families choose based on their personality, how many kids they have, and what vibe they want. A family with three energetic boys might do great at Whitemud Park, where the kids can explore and I can capture genuine adventure. A family that wants something more polished might prefer Government House Park with its manicured gardens and clean backgrounds.
Golden Hour Is Non-Negotiable
Regardless of location, I schedule all my fall family sessions during golden hour — the last 60 to 90 minutes before sunset. In September, that means starting around 6:30 to 7:00 PM. The light during golden hour is warm, directional, and incredibly flattering. It wraps around faces, creates a natural glow, and makes those fall colours pop even more. Midday light, by contrast, creates harsh shadows under eyes and noses. Not what we want for your family portraits.
What to Wear for Back-to-School Photos
This is the question I get asked most. And my answer always starts with: do not overthink it. The goal is for your family to look like yourselves, just a slightly polished version.
Colour Coordination (Not Matching)
The days of everyone wearing white shirts and jeans are behind us. Instead, think about a colour palette. For fall sessions, earthy tones work beautifully: mustard, rust, olive, cream, navy, burgundy, warm brown. Pick two or three colours and distribute them across the family. Dad in navy, Mom in burgundy, kids in cream and mustard. This creates visual harmony without looking like a uniform.
Layers and Texture
Edmonton evenings can be cool in September, so layers serve a dual purpose. They keep you warm and they add visual interest to photos. A chunky knit cardigan, a denim jacket, a lightweight scarf — these elements add dimension and make the photos feel cozy and lived-in. Texture also photographs beautifully. A knit sweater, corduroy pants, a linen dress — these fabrics catch the golden light in ways that plain cotton cannot.
For the Kids
Comfort is everything. If your child is uncomfortable, it shows in the photos. Avoid stiff, formal outfits unless your child genuinely loves dressing up. Instead, choose soft fabrics they can move in. Shoes they can run in. Outfits that let them be themselves. Because the best family photos come from genuine moments — a kid climbing on Dad’s back, siblings chasing each other through leaves, a toddler discovering a pinecone.
Outfit Tip
Avoid large logos, busy patterns, and neon colours. These compete with the beautiful natural backdrop and draw attention away from faces. Solid colours and subtle patterns always photograph best. And bring an extra outfit for young kids — just in case of a spill or a muddy adventure.
How to Get Natural Smiles From Kids
Here is a secret: I never ask kids to say “cheese.” Never. That one word produces the most unnatural, tight-lipped, squinty-eyed grimace in the history of photography. Instead, I focus on creating genuine moments that produce real smiles and real expressions.
Play Games
During family sessions, I build in playtime. I might ask the parents to swing a toddler between them while walking. I might challenge siblings to a race to a certain tree. I might ask Dad to whisper something funny in Mom’s ear while the kids watch. These prompts create real reactions. A belly laugh from a four-year-old is infinitely more beautiful than a posed smile.
Give Them Breaks
Kids have a limited attention span, and that is completely fine. I plan sessions with natural breaks built in. Five minutes of guided family poses, then five minutes of free play while I capture candids. This rhythm keeps kids engaged and prevents meltdowns. Some of my favourite images come from those “break” moments — a child examining a leaf, two siblings whispering to each other, a toddler running toward the camera with pure joy.
Include Their Interests
Does your child love books? Bring one. Are they obsessed with superheroes? Let them wear the cape for a few shots. Is your teenager into music? Let them bring their guitar. Personal touches make photos meaningful and help kids feel comfortable because they are doing something they love.
The most treasured family photos are never the perfectly posed ones. They are the ones where everyone is laughing at something real, looking at each other with genuine love, or caught in a moment of pure, unscripted joy.
What to Expect During Your Session
If you have never done a professional family photo session before, here is exactly how it works:
- Pre-session consultation. We chat about location, outfits, and what matters most to you. I want to know your family’s personality so I can tailor the session to you.
- Arrival and warm-up. We meet at the location and spend the first 10 minutes just talking and walking. No posing yet. This helps everyone — especially kids — get comfortable with me and the camera.
- Guided family portraits. We start with some relaxed family groupings. I give gentle direction on positioning and expressions, but it never feels stiff. Lots of walking, touching, and interacting naturally.
- Sibling and individual shots. Each child gets their own moment, and siblings get photos together. These are often the ones that end up framed on the wall.
- Couple moments. While the kids play, I grab a few shots of just the parents. You deserve photos of just the two of you, and this is the perfect opportunity.
- Free play and candids. We end with unstructured time. Kids run, explore, and play while I capture everything. This is where the magic happens.
The entire session lasts about 60 to 75 minutes. You receive a curated gallery of 80 to 120 images within two weeks. I handle all the editing — colour correction, exposure, skin retouching where needed — so every image is print-ready.
Key Takeaways
- Book your back-to-school session in September or early October for the best Edmonton fall colours
- Golden hour sessions (60-90 minutes before sunset) produce the most flattering light
- Coordinate family outfits with a colour palette rather than matching identically
- Let kids be kids — genuine moments beat posed smiles every time
- Bring layers, comfortable shoes, and an extra outfit for little ones
- Sessions last 60-75 minutes and include guided portraits, candids, and free play
Ready to Book Your Fall Family Session? September weekends fill up fast, so early booking is recommended. Let us capture your family exactly as you are right now — because next year, everything will be different. View my family session packages or get in touch to plan your session. Book Your Session
Frequently Asked Questions
What if it rains on the day of our session? We reschedule at no extra cost. Edmonton weather can be unpredictable in the fall, and I always have backup dates available. I monitor the forecast closely and will reach out the day before if I think we need to move. Light overcast skies, however, are actually great for photos — the soft, even light is very flattering.
My kids never cooperate for photos. Should I be worried? Not at all. I work with kids at every session, and I have a whole toolkit of games, jokes, and prompts to bring out genuine expressions. The key is letting kids be themselves. I do not force smiles or rigid poses. Some of the best photos come from kids who “never cooperate” — their authentic energy produces the most memorable images.
Can we bring our dog to the family session? Absolutely. Pets are part of the family. I recommend bringing a handler — a friend or family member who can hold the dog during non-pet shots and bring them in for the group photos. We usually do pet photos first so the dog can relax afterward. Check out my tips on including pets in family photos.
How many outfit changes can we do? I recommend one or two outfits maximum. One outfit change works well — perhaps a casual look for the candid portion and something slightly dressier for the posed family portraits. More than two changes eats into shooting time and can disrupt the flow, especially with young children.
When will we receive our photos? Your fully edited gallery is delivered within two weeks of your session. You receive an online gallery with downloading and sharing options. Print orders can be placed directly through the gallery. Rush delivery is available for an additional fee if you need images sooner.
Browse our family photography gallery or learn about session packages and pricing.
