Fall Photoshoot Tips in Ontario: Outfits, Poses & Props

Fall in Ontario is one of the most beautiful backdrops you can have for photos. The air is crisp, the leaves are bursting with color, and the golden autumn light makes everything glow. 🍁 At EKA Photography, fall sessions are some of our favorites! We want you to enjoy every minute of your outdoor fall photoshoot, so we’ve put together some friendly tips on what to wear, easy poses to try, and even a few fun props to bring along. Think of it like advice from a photographer friend – we’re here to help you prepare and feel confident, every step of the way.

What to Wear for Your Fall Photoshoot

One of the first questions we hear is: “What should we wear?” The goal is to look great and feel comfortable. Here are our outfit tips, with suggestions for families, couples, and maternity sessions:

For Families

Choose fall colors: Embrace earthy fall tones that complement the autumn scenery. Think rust orange, mustard yellow, olive green, cream, deep navy, or burgundy. These colors pop against orange leaves and give a cozy vibe.
Coordinate, don’t match: It’s best if family members’ outfits go together without being identical. Pick 2–3 colors and spread them across everyone’s outfits. For example, one person might wear a mustard sweater, another in navy and a touch of mustard in a scarf, and someone else in cream. This way you’ll look coordinated but not like you’re wearing uniforms.
Comfort and layers: Ontario fall weather can be unpredictable – chilly in the morning and warm by afternoon. Layer up with sweaters, jackets, or cardigans so you can adapt if it gets cold. Make sure everyone’s outfit is comfortable and broken-in (especially for the kids). It’s hard to smile for photos if your toddler’s scratchy sweater is driving them crazy! Soft fabrics and comfy shoes (boots are great for fall) will keep the whole family happy.
Add textures: Mixing different textures makes photos more interesting. Knit sweaters, denim jackets, cozy scarves, or even a cute beanie can add depth to your look. Textures like cable-knit, corduroy, or lace detailing are wonderful – just avoid big logos or super bright neon colors that might distract from those beautiful fall leaves.

For Couples

Complement each other: When it’s just the two of you, pick outfits that complement (and flatter) both people. You don’t have to match colors exactly – in fact, it looks nicer if you don’t. Instead, choose colors that work well together. For instance, if one of you wears a rust-orange sweater, the other might wear a navy or cream outfit with a little pop of orange in the accessories. The idea is to look in harmony without looking like twins.
Stay true to you: The best photos happen when you feel like yourselves. Wear something that you’d normally feel good in (just a touch dressier perhaps). If you’re a jeans-and-t-shirt couple, you could upgrade to a nice pair of jeans and a cozy sweater or plaid shirt. If you both love dressing up, go for that! Just try to be on the same level of casual or fancy as each other, so one isn’t in a suit while the other is in a flannel.
Layer and accessorize: Bring along a layer or two that you can put on and take off. A leather or denim jacket, a chunky cardigan, or a cute scarf for her and a stylish jacket or vest for him can add variety to your photos (and keep you warm). You might start the session with the jacket on, then remove it for a different look in the next shots. Plus, cuddling close in a shared blanket or scarf can make for adorable moments!
Think comfort: Yes, style is important, but so is being able to move. We might have you strolling through a park or lifting your partner in a fun pose. Wear shoes you can walk in (boots or flats with good grip if we’re on a trail or in an orchard). And if your outfit is slightly formal, you can always bring comfy shoes to walk from spot to spot, then change into dress shoes for the photo if needed. Little things like this make a big difference in how relaxed you feel.

For Maternity

Highlight that bump: This is a special time to celebrate your growing belly! Outfits that highlight the bump tend to work best. Many moms-to-be choose a pretty flowy dress or a form-fitting sweater dress for fall sessions. A long maxi dress in a fall color (like deep mustard, burgundy, or olive) can look stunning blowing in the autumn breeze. If dresses aren’t your thing, a well-fitted maternity top with jeans and a cute cardigan can be perfect too. The key is you feel beautiful and comfortable.
Comfort is key (for real!): Pregnancy can make some clothes uncomfy, so don’t force yourself into a tight outfit that you’ll tug at every second. Go for soft, stretchy fabrics that move with you. Leggings or maternity jeans with a nice tunic sweater, for example, can be both comfy and photogenic. You want to be able to sit, stand, and pose without discomfort. If something feels too tight or restrictive, skip it – your comfort shows in the photos.
Cozy layers and textures: A lovely knit cardigan, a shawl, or even a stylish cape can be a great addition to your maternity outfit. It gives you something to wrap around if it’s chilly and adds texture to the photos. You can do a few shots wearing it and a few without. Another idea: a flower crown or hat can be a fun accessory for a boho fall look, if that’s your style. Just keep accessories minimal so they don’t overpower the bump.
Partner coordination: If your partner is joining the shoot, have them coordinate with your look. This could mean picking a shirt color that ties into your dress (for example, if you wear a cream dress with a rust-colored scarf, your partner could wear a rust-colored shirt or a neutral sweater with rust accents). The goal is to look like you belong in the same scene without looking too “matchy.” And of course, make sure they are comfortable too – comfy pants and layers for them as well, because we might be kneeling, sitting, and moving around during the session.

Easy Posing Ideas

Feeling a bit nervous about posing? Don’t worry – you don’t need any modeling experience to look great in your photos. We’ll guide you the whole time. Our approach at EKA Photography is to keep things easy and natural, so you can relax and have fun. Here are some simple pose ideas for families, couples, and maternity sessions that anyone can do:

For Families

Walk and talk: One of our go-to prompts is to have the whole family hold hands and walk together. We might ask you to walk away from the camera and then back towards us. As you walk, talk or joke with each other (we might even get you singing a silly song with the kids). These walking shots are great for capturing natural smiles and how your family interacts. Plus, kids often forget about the camera when they’re on the move.Group hugs and cuddles: Get in close and snuggle up! We’ll often say, “Everyone give Mom a big hug!” or “Group hug time!” These poses lead to the sweetest candid moments – maybe Dad gives Mom a kiss on the cheek while the kids squeeze in, or siblings bear-hug each other (and giggle about it). Don’t worry about looking perfect; the more love and laughter, the better the photo.Leaf toss fun: If there are leaves on the ground, we have to do a leaf toss. 🍂 Kids can grab a handful of dried leaves and throw them in the air on the count of three. Parents can join in or just laugh at the chaos. These action shots are so full of joy and fall colors. (Pro tip: aim up when tossing so you don’t hit anyone in the face with a leaf – learned that one the hard way!) We usually do a couple rounds of this to get everyone genuinely laughing.Sit and snuggle: We’ll spread out a blanket and have the family sit down together. This might be on the grass under a colorful tree or on a park bench. Once seated, you can have a child on each lap, or one parent hugging the kids from behind while the other sits facing them. We might ask you to all look at each other, or tickle the kiddos, or point at something silly in the distance (to get everyone looking the same way without posing stiffly). These sitting poses feel cozy and natural – perfect for showing closeness.(And yes, we’ll also grab a nice everyone-look-at-the-camera portrait at some point – but the magic really happens in those candid moments when you’re interacting with each other.)

For Couples

Stroll hand-in-hand: Just like with families, movement helps couples relax. We’ll have you hold hands and stroll casually. Look at each other, chat about something that makes you smile, or even do a little goofy skip if you’re feeling playful. Walking shots with the fall scenery around you make it look like we’re capturing a real moment (which we are!).

Close and cozy: One simple pose is just standing close together, faces near. You can wrap your arms around each other – for example, one of you can put arms around your partner’s neck while the other wraps arms around the waist. Foreheads together, noses touching, eyes closed or looking at each other – it creates a super sweet, intimate shot. We might prompt you to tell each other a joke or recall a favorite memory to get some genuine smiles while you’re snuggled up.

Almost-kiss (or actual kiss): The classic romantic pose: lean in like you’re about to kiss. You can actually kiss for a few shots, but often that almost-kiss where you’re just brushing noses or laughing right before you kiss comes out wonderfully. It’s tender and not overly staged. We often capture a few frames – one of you nearly kissing, one mid-kiss, and one right after when you’re giggling – those candid after-kiss smiles are gold!

Playful moves: If you’re up for a bit of fun, we can try a playful pose like a piggyback ride or a twirl. For a piggyback, one of you hops on the other’s back and we get some shots of you both laughing (make sure to do this carefully, of course!). Or do a little dance twirl: have one person spin their partner around once – the motion of a skirt or coat flaring out can look beautiful. These poses are totally optional and only if you feel comfortable – the point is to get you both laughing and enjoying yourselves. We’ll never push you to do something that isn’t “you.”

For Maternity

Hands on the bump: This is a must-do for maternity sessions. There are a few variations, but a favorite is: Mom places both hands on her belly (one above, one below), looking down lovingly at the bump. If a partner is present, they can stand close and put their hands on the bump too, often forming a heart shape with their fingers or simply cradling from behind. It’s a simple pose that really highlights baby and the excitement of new life.

Partner hugging from behind: A very tender pose is to have the expecting mother stand in front, and the partner stands right behind her, arms wrapped around her (and around the belly). Both of you can place a hand on the belly, and maybe touch your foreheads together or have the partner kiss mom’s temple. You can both look down at the bump or both look at the camera – we’ll capture both angles. This pose shows the connection between you two and your shared anticipation for the baby.

Side profile and belly silhouette: We might ask Mom to turn to the side for a classic profile shot that really shows off the bump shape. You can gently hold your belly from underneath with both hands. If your partner is there, they can face you and place a hand on your belly or even kneel down to kiss the belly (if you’re comfortable with that – it often makes for a very loving, cute shot!). Side profile poses are great in that late golden hour light, even creating a silhouette of the baby bump against the sunset if timing and weather allow.

Include the family (if applicable): If this isn’t your first baby and you have older kids, we’ll incorporate them into poses too – perhaps having a little one place a kiss on mommy’s tummy or hug the bump. If it’s just the two (soon to be three) of you, we can do a pose sitting down together: Mom-to-be sits leaning back into her partner’s chest, partner’s arms around her and hands on the belly, both looking down at the bump or at each other. It’s a relaxed pose that feels natural and loving. The main idea with maternity posing is connection – with each other and with the baby – so we keep it sweet and simple.

Prop Ideas for Fall Sessions

Props are totally optional, but they can add a fun, cozy touch to your photos if you want! We’ve seen some great seasonal props in fall shoots. Here are a few ideas you might consider bringing along (just one or two – no need to go overboard):

A cozy blanket: A blanket (especially one with a nice texture or a plaid pattern in fall colors) is super versatile. We can spread it on the ground for seated poses or wrap it around your shoulders for a warm, cuddled-up shot. Families can snuggle under a big blanket together, and couples can get extra close sharing one like a shawl. It instantly says “cozy fall.”

Pumpkins: Nothing says autumn like pumpkins! 🎃 You could bring a couple of small pumpkins if you have them. Kids can hold a mini pumpkin in their hands, which often gives them something fun to focus on (great for keeping toddlers entertained). For a couple or maternity, a pumpkin between you can be cute – some expecting parents even paint or carve their due date or baby’s name on one, if they’re feeling crafty. Whether we’re shooting at a park or an actual pumpkin patch, these bright orange props add a pop of color and seasonal flair.

Apple basket: If you love the fall harvest vibe, consider an apple basket or a few apples as props. This works wonderfully if our shoot location is an orchard or has some rustic trees. Little ones can pick apples from the basket or take a pretend bite. A couple can do a playful pose like each holding an apple and doing a "cheers". 🍎 It’s a simple prop that brings out that Ontario fall feeling (hello, apple picking season!).

Baby shoes or ultrasound photo (maternity): For maternity sessions, a tiny pair of baby shoes or an ultrasound pic is a heartfelt prop. You and your partner can hold the little shoes together in front of the bump, or hold up the ultrasound image while you both smile in the background. It’s a sweet way to announce the baby in the photos. We’ll make sure to capture a close-up of the item as well as wider shots of you two holding it. (Tip: if using an ultrasound, consider slipping it in a little frame or backing to keep it flat and visible.)

Warm drinks: Bringing a thermos and a couple of cute mugs can be adorable in fall photos. Imagine you and your partner or family members wrapping hands around warm mugs of cocoa or coffee, maybe even with marshmallows on top. We can capture you cheers-ing mugs, taking a cozy sip, or just laughing over the rims. This prop not only looks cozy, but also gives you something fun to do during the shoot (and keeps you warm!). For kids, you could do warm apple cider or hot chocolate – they’ll love it as a treat for behaving during photos. Just be cautious with very young kids and hot drinks, of course.

Remember, props are totally optional. The focus will always be on you and your relationships. Don’t feel like you need to haul a bunch of stuff to your session. But if any of these items speak to you or have special meaning (or you happen to have them handy), they can add a personal touch to your photos. We’ll incorporate props in a natural, playful way so they don’t steal the spotlight but rather enhance the story of the day.

Relax and Enjoy the Moment

Finally – and most importantly – relax and enjoy your photoshoot! 😊 The best photos aren’t the ones where everyone’s perfectly posed with stiff smiles; they’re the ones where you’re genuinely having fun and being yourselves. If you’ve picked outfits you feel good in, and you’re doing simple activities like walking, hugging, or playing, you’re already set up for success.

Don’t worry if the kids get a little wild or if you feel a bit awkward at first – that’s completely normal! We’ve seen it all, and we promise, those imperfect moments often make for perfect memories. If your toddler decides to make a silly face, we’ll snap it and also get the next moment when you’re all laughing about it. If a breeze blows your hair, we’ll use that chance to capture you brushing it back and smiling. Every little moment is part of your story.

At EKA Photography, our job is to guide you and capture the magic we see – the way you hold each other, the laughter between poses, the love in your eyes. We’ll direct you when needed (so you’re not left wondering what to do), but we’ll also step back and let you interact naturally. So take a deep breath, enjoy the autumn air, and trust that we’ve got things covered. 😊

In the end, a fall photoshoot is less about getting a magazine-perfect picture and more about celebrating this season of life – whether that’s your family as it is right now (beautifully imperfect and all), your love as a couple, or the excitement of a baby on the way. So be yourself, have fun with it, and the genuine, heartwarming photos will follow.

We hope these tips help you feel excited and prepared for your outdoor fall session! If you have any questions or want a little extra advice – maybe you’re unsure about your outfits, or you’re nervous about posing, or you need ideas to plan your session – please reach out to us. At EKA Photography, we’re always happy to chat and help you plan the perfect shoot. 🍂📷 Feel free to contact us anytime. We can’t wait to see you this fall and capture some incredible memories together! ❤️