Erin and Mike gifted a Family Session to Mike’s parents for Christmas last year, and they chose Fall for their session which I loved.  People often think that October is prime time for Fall colors, but usually St. Louis colors transform later in the season and stick around through November.  This session was done in mid-November and not only were the colors on the trees gorgeous, but there was a blanket of fallen leaves on the ground plus relatively warm weather.  

St. Louis Fall Family Photo Session in leaves in Jefferson Barracks Park With Family Sessions that include couples, I love to break off into little sessions to capture them individually.  I love the big family style portions of the session too, so I incorporate all of it into the session.  

St. Louis Fall Family Photography Couple Embracing in wooded area in Jefferson Barracks Park

St. Louis Fall Family Photo Session in wooded area in Jefferson Barracks Park

When you catch young couples who’ve been married less than 5 years, they aren’t at all surprised when you ask them to be lovey and doting towards each other.  Often times these couples had proposal photos, engagement photos, wedding photos, and maybe even anniversary photos taken.  And let’s all be honest here, in this day and age, we take enough selfies and pictures with friends to know what our good angles are!  Mike and Erin, Jenna and Brad fall into the category of married in recent years.  I love to capture the connection between these couples. It may not be “young love” or "new love" per say, but it’s sweet to watch them interact and dote on each other like they did when they were first dating.  

St. Louis Fall Family Photo Session in wooded area with wooden trellace archway at Jefferson Barracks Park

St. Louis Fall Family Photo Couple Embracing St. Louis Fall Family Photo two couples in leaves at Jefferson Barracks Park St. Louis Fall Family Photo two couples in leaves at Jefferson Barracks Park When you photograph couples who have spent 30+ years together, photo sessions generally aren’t something they’ve gone out and had done recently.  They may have had some family photos done for their grown children’s weddings, but beyond that, sometimes it’s been over 20 years since they had a photo session done.  My how photography has changed!  It can feel awkward or silly to them to really loosen up and show their true personalities.  I make it my goal to get them to have fun, to open up, and to break out of the old style of photography they may be used to.  Mike Sr. and Verna, Mike and Brad’s parents, loosened up quickly thanks to Verna’s contagious laughs and smiles directed right at Mike Sr.  I was a bit nervous Mike Sr. would be a hard smile to crack (even though in normal conversation, he’s hilarious and lively), but he jumped right in and embraced the moment. St. Louis Fall Family Photo Session in wooded area at Jefferson Barracks Park

St. Louis Fall Family Photo Session in wooded area holding hands laughing St. Louis Fall Family Photo Session in wooded area at Jefferson Barracks Park Couple Embracing and Laughing

St. Louis Fall Family Photo Session in wooded area at Jefferson Barracks Park extended family in two photos

St. Louis Fall Family Photo Session in wooded area of Jefferson Barracks Park Couple Laughing

Thank you, Dunnigan Family, for your patience and laughter during your session!  I always enjoy a good Dunnigan Family story and I’m glad I had the opportunity to capture this one!

St. Louis Fall Family Photo Session in wooded area at Jefferson Barracks Park