Autumn is one of my favorite times of year to photograph families.
The trees change color almost overnight. One week everything is still green and the next week the parks are full of yellow, orange and red leaves. The paths become crunchy under your feet and children suddenly have sticks, leaves and acorns to investigate everywhere.
It is a lovely time for family photographs because nobody has to stand still for very long. Your children can run, explore and play while I photograph the way you naturally connect with each other.
And honestly, the whole of the Netherlands is beautiful in autumn. Almost every city and town has a park or forest with beautiful autumn trees. You do not always need to travel far to find a great location. Sometimes the park around the corner from your house is exactly what we need.
I photograph families in Utrecht, Woerden and throughout the Netherlands. These are some of my favorite locations for autumn family photoshoots.
Maximapark in Utrecht
Maximapark is one of my favorite places for an autumn family photoshoot near Utrecht.
There is plenty of space, which is helpful when you have children who would rather run than stand still. We can walk along the paths, explore the trees and stop whenever we find a beautiful patch of autumn color.
I like that Maximapark gives us a mixture of open spaces and trees. We can take photographs while your children are running and playing, then find a quieter spot for cuddles and family portraits.
It is also easy to reach from Utrecht, Leidsche Rijn, Woerden and the surrounding area. You can have beautiful autumn family photos without having to plan a big outing into the forest.
Maximapark is especially suitable for families with young children. Toddlers can explore at their own pace and older children have room to burn off some energy. That usually makes the whole experience more enjoyable for everyone.
Zeisterbos near Zeist
If you want the feeling of being properly surrounded by nature, Zeisterbos is a beautiful choice.
The tall trees create a lovely woodland backdrop and the forest paths are covered with leaves as autumn moves along. There is something very calm about walking beneath the trees while your children search for sticks and interesting leaves.
This is not the kind of photoshoot where I expect everyone to stand in one spot and smile. We will walk, explore and use the forest around us. I will give you simple prompts to help you interact with each other while I photograph what happens naturally.
You may end up giving your child a cuddle, holding hands or laughing at something completely unexpected. That is usually when the best photographs happen.
Zeisterbos is a great location for family photos near Utrecht. It also works beautifully for maternity photoshoots and couples photoshoots if you would like a quieter woodland setting.
Amsterdamse Bos near Amsterdam
The Amsterdamse Bos is a great option if you want plenty of variety during your photoshoot.
There are woodland paths, open spaces, water and lots of different trees. We can move through the area and create a mixture of photographs without spending the whole session in one place.
This is useful for families with energetic children because we can keep moving. There is no need to keep asking them to stand still or look at the camera.
The Amsterdamse Bos also gives larger families enough space to spread out and move comfortably. We can photograph everyone together, take smaller group photographs and allow the children some time to play.
If you are looking for an autumn photoshoot near Amsterdam, this is a location I would definitely consider.
Utrecht city center and the canals
Utrecht city center gives an autumn photoshoot a completely different feeling from a forest or park.
The large trees beside the canals turn beautiful shades of yellow and orange. Add the old buildings, bridges, water and fallen leaves and you have a setting that feels unmistakably like Utrecht.
We can walk along the canals and stop beneath the trees as we go. The reflections in the water add lovely details and there is always something for children to look at while we move through the city.
This location is a good choice if you enjoy exploring and would like your photographs to include a little more of Utrecht itself. You still get the autumn colors and trees but with the old buildings and canals in the background.
It is also a practical option if you live in or near the city and would rather not travel to a forest.
My favorite autumn photoshoot location may be near you
These four locations are some of my favorites but they are not the only places that work.
The whole of the Netherlands has beautiful parks, forests and green spaces. Your local park may have a row of large trees that turns golden in October. A nearby woodland may have the perfect path covered in leaves. You may even have a favorite place where your family already loves to walk.
A familiar location can be a lovely choice for a family photoshoot. Your children may feel more comfortable there and you may already know where they like to run, climb and explore. Sometimes the places that are part of your everyday life are the ones that make your photographs feel most like your family.
Whatever location you choose, the most important thing is that your family feels comfortable there. Whether it is one of my favorite autumn locations or a park just around the corner from your home, I will help you make the most of it and photograph the connection, laughter and little moments that make your family yours.
