I recently had the pleasure of photographing this sweet family of four at High Park in Toronto. Between the location, the light, and the love this family showed for each other, it was an amazing fall photoshoot.


The perfect location for fall family photos


A few days before the shoot, I went location scouting to find the perfect spot. Since our session was scheduled for a Sunday, and cars aren’t permitted in High Park on weekends, I wanted it to be close to the entrance. (High Park is huge!) I was also looking for a spot that showcased the fall colours and had flattering light; although High Park has lots of beautiful trees, I needed some open sky to let in the rays of the setting sun. Finally, I wanted a wild, naturalized area as opposed to a manicured landscape. This type of setting speaks to my love of nature, and it also makes a beautiful backdrop. Tall grasses and wildflowers, especially when they turn golden in the fall, create such a dreamy background.


I landed on the High Park Nature Centre, a place I’m familiar with; I’ve volunteered on my daughters’ field trips there. In recent years, volunteers and staff have created a lovely native plant garden. With lots of light and the forest in the background, it was perfect.

Mom and dad hold their boys during a fall family photoshoot in Toronto

Getting started


We met about two hours before sunset so we could shoot at "golden hour," the last hour or two before sunset. That's when the light is warm and soft, coming in at a low, flattering angle.


We started with some group shots. Rather than trying to get everyone looking at the camera, I prompted them to look at each other so I could capture some genuine expressions and connections.

Family of four stand in a field at High Park during a Toronto family photoshoot
A mom and dad stand amid tall grasses with their little boys

With this fun new place to explore — and all those leaves to play with — the kids weren’t into standing for long. So I asked the parents to hoist them up into the air, which got them smiling and giggling. Then I grabbed a few shots of mom and dad with each of their boys.

A mom and dad hoist their little boys up into the air during a family photoshoot at High Park
A smiling father lifts his son into the air during a family photoshoot at High Park
A smiling mom lifts up her toddler boy during a family photoshoot at High Park
A smiling blonde woman lifts her laughing little boy into the air during a photoshoot at High Park in Toronto

Photographing kids being kids


I’m a big fan of unstructured play in life and in family photography. If kids want to play and explore, I use that as an opportunity to take some fun candid shots. This is when their personalities really show through. After all, childhood is all about being curious and carefree.


Shots like this aren’t entirely candid though: I asked mom and dad to stand back in a loving embrace, letting them know where to stand so I could frame the shot as I envisioned it. I played around with the focus, switching from the parents to the kids to show different perspectives. All the while, the kids did their thing and forgot all about me.

Parents stand in an embrace watching their sons play with leaves during a family photoshoot
Two boys play in a pile of fallen leaves while their parents watch in the background

Individual and sibling portraits


With the boys feeling relaxed and playful, I took the opportunity to snap some portraits of them together and individually. The light was gorgeous and soft, and with a shallow depth of field, the leaves blurred beautifully into the background and kept all the attention on those lively expressions.

Two little boys smile at the camera during a fall family photoshoot
Little blonde boy smiles at the camera during a fall family photoshoot at High Park
Smiling toddler boy sturdies himself against a tree during a Toronto family photoshoot

Snuggling up


After the kids had a chance to play and expend some energy, I wanted to capture some tender moments between everyone. I asked mom and dad to sit nice and close to one another and got the kids to go and sit in their laps. One kid was sleepy and the other was silly, but both were super sweet.

Toddler walks over to his mom, dad, and big brother sitting amid fallen leaves
Family of four sits amid tall grasses and fallen leaves during a fall family photoshoot

Honouring mom


After some shots of everyone together, I took some of the boys with their mama. More often than not, mothers aren’t included in their family photos — they are often the ones taking them (ahem). Or they might not like having their photos taken. But it’s so important that moms are represented in these memories.


I also took the opportunity to snap some solo portraits. And I'm sure glad I did. That smile, that dress, that hair... WOW! This woman is beautiful both inside and out.

Smiling mother being snuggled by her two sons during a Toronto family photoshoot at High Park
Smiling blonde woman twirls in a lacy pink dress at a fall photoshoot in High Park
Smiling blonde woman twirls in a lacy pink dress at High Park in Toronto

Just a few more...


When your photographer says "just a few more," what they really mean a few dozen more. But hey, when magic is happening, you have to capture it! I had planned on just taking a couple of shots of everyone walking hand in hand, but soon the boys broke free and started running through the maze of grasses. So I cranked up the shutter speed to freeze every moment and capture those big, joyous expressions. These spontaneous, unplanned shots are some of my favourites.

A mother and father walk with their two sons through a field of tall grasses at High Park
Smiling little boy being swung by his parents during a family photoshoot
Little boys run down a trail through tall grasses at a family photoshoot at High Park
Smiling little boy runs down a path through tall grasses at a family photoshoot in Toronto
Smiling little boy runs down a path through tall grasses at High Park in Toronto

That's a wrap


In less than an hour, I had taken hundreds of photos — way more than I'd hoped for. This family had been so easygoing, fun, loving, and patient. Now it was time for a trip to the playground before everyone headed home.

Little boy walks along a path at High Park in the fall