As someone who grew up in Michigan, Southern California isn’t the first place I think of when picturing leaves changing on the trees during Autumn. But when Amanda expressed her desire for fall-themed family photos, I knew Oak Glen in San Bernardino County was the perfect place and could rival my Michigan trees. Oak Glen did not disappoint and was a picturesque backdrop for our family photoshoot. The charming orchards and vibrant foliage provided the ideal setting to capture the essence of the season and give us all the fall vibes. 

As the days grew shorter and sunset approached earlier with the onset of winter, we didn’t want the sun to drop behind the mountains too early, so we embarked on our photoshoot adventure about 2.5 – 2 hours before the sunset. While a lot of photoshoots happen at golden hour (an hour or so before sunset), the bright, natural light was perfect for Amanda’s vision of bright fall photos. 

The vast open space of Oak Glen became a playground for the kids, allowing them to run freely and engage in spontaneous play, resulting in adorable candid shots. Here, Jet pretended to be an old man needing a walking stick. I always let kids have time to be themselves and get their wiggles out. While smiling photos are important, we know this time of their life isn’t all about standing and smiling. It’s about running, laughing, exploring and being a kid! Capturing that is so important for you to look back on.

One particular moment stood out as the kids stumbled upon a magnificent tree, their excitement evident as they exclaimed, “I want my picture here!” Little did we know that these tree-centric photos would become cherished favorites, with Amanda even opting to print an impressive 30 x 26 version featuring her youngest daughter.

Beyond the allure of fall leaves, Oak Glen boasts a remarkable feature that never fails to captivate – the towering, majestic trees. Surrounding us on all sides, these arboreal giants provided an enchanting backdrop for our family photos. Each time I gathered the family for a collective shot, the options were abundant, with stunning scenery in every direction.

The beauty of Oak Glen lies not only in the vibrant autumnal hues but also in the grandeur of its colossal trees. As we navigated through the orchards and meandering paths, the diverse array of trees provided a natural tapestry, ensuring every family photo was framed by nature’s masterpiece.

While it’s a family photoshoot focused on the whole family and kids, I always make sure to spend time with mom and dad getting couples photos. With kids, it can be hard for parents to get a moment to themselves. Though calm moments are fleeting, taking that time to embrace one another is so important and leads to capturing memories and this time of their lives.

Thanks for reading to the end!

Reach out to schedule a photoshoot with me in the beautiful Oak Glen, CA!