Autumn in St Andrews - family photos

Autumn is solidly settling in, with its gorgeous colours, cosy blankets and sweaters, rains, and this special something in the air. At home, we watch more movies, bake more pies, walk on the leaves and listen to their crunchy-crunch under our boots, and I want to soak in all these colours around us - I love autumn! It can be risky to have a photo session this time of the year, the weather becomes so unpredictable. But it's well worth the risk, because the light in autumn is often golden and magical, and you have all these gorgeous colours around you. I can be more flexible with my schedule so we can work around the sunshine.

Favourite spots around St Andrews for autumn family photos.

Of course Lade Braes and Botanic Gardens - if you want all these gorgeous colours and nature details! Outdoor walks in autumn are so much fin, kids up to their knees in the leaves, or hunting for autumn treasures together, making piles of leaves for jumping, weaving crowns, hide and seek - you name it!

The sea is lovely too, with moody sky or lovely golden light. The grass on the beach turns golden yellow, and next to the blue of the sea on a sunny day it is so beautiful. East Sands or West Sands, or a short walk up the Coastal Path are all great places for autumn family photos.

Autumn is the time when many families think about having a professional photoshoot. You start thinking about the year as almost done, what happened and changed - and it's a good reminder to take photos, to see how kids have grown, to record this for the future. Christmas is also drawing nearer, and soon it will be time for Christmas cards and presents - especially grandparents love to get updated family photos and portraits of their grandchildren.

I think taking a photograph of the whole family together is one of the main things to do during a family shoot. Often one of the parents takes photos of the children and family life, but then this person is behind the camera or phone and is missing in the photos. I've been confronted with this question myself - my kids want to see me in the photos with them, to know that I was there too, and behind the camera does not count. We all take tons of photos with our phones, but to have a truly beautiful, quality family photo suitable for printing and framing, that will bring fond memories and last years - this is something that is often lacking. Anyway, here are some of my favourite autumn family shoots that are loved and treasured by families.