Every fall I get the same question: "When is the best time for our family photos?" Most people expect me to say sunset, and that's often a great choice. But look at the photo above. That glow coming through the oak branches isn't a filter, and it isn't sunset either. This was taken around 10:30 in the morning in November, when the leaves had turned golden. In the fall, the sun stays lower in the sky all day, so with the right angle and some trees to filter it, mid-morning light can look just as warm as the evening. That's what Bay Area light does in the fall when you time it right, and it's the reason I'll happily rearrange my schedule to be at the right spot at the right time.

This family brought everyone, including their doodle in his gingham bandana. I love it when families bring the dog. Some people worry the dog will ruin the photos, but in my experience the dog is usually the one who looks at the camera first. The kids are busy laughing at the dog, and that's when I get the real smiles. You can see it here: both boys are grinning, and one of them is almost a teenager. If you've tried to get a teenager to smile for a photo, you know that's no small thing.

Let's talk about clothes, because this family nailed it. Brown sweater, plaid shirt, gray quarter-zip, a rust skirt with a black top. Nobody is matching, but everything goes together. Earth tones are made for fall photos because they blend with the leaves and the light instead of fighting them. My advice: pick two or three colors for the whole family, keep the patterns to one or two people, and skip bright white and neon. And yes, the dog's bandana counts as an outfit

Here's a secret: this wasn't a famous park or a landmark. It was a plain walking trail at the end of the family's street. People often think they need a big-name location for great family photos, but what really makes a photo is the light. Give me some trees to filter the sun at the right time of day, and I can make almost anywhere look amazing. That means no long drive, no fighting for parking, and no crowds walking through your shots. Sometimes the best spot is the one right outside your door, and the kids (and the dog) are more relaxed on familiar ground, which shows in the photos.

If you have little ones who won't last two hours, my 30-minute mini sessions are a great fit for fall, and a morning session can work perfectly around nap time. You get the beautiful light without paying for time you won't use. Ready to book your fall family photos?