Best Time for Fall Family Photos in Vancouver & Richmond BC: 2026 Guide

Generational Family Session at Garry Point Park.

If you're thinking about booking fall family photos in Vancouver or Richmond, BC, one of the first questions you're probably asking is: When is the best time to book them?

The short answer?

September and October are both beautiful, but they give you very different looks.

As a Richmond family photographer who works outdoors throughout Steveston, Richmond, Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, I don't think there's one perfect week for fall photos. The better question is what you want your photographs to feel like.

Is September a good time for family photos in Vancouver?

Absolutely.

September is one of my favourite times for outdoor family photography because we still have longer evenings and beautiful light without needing traditional autumn colours.

It's a great option if you love warm sunset photographs, grasses, beaches and a more natural West Coast look.

Locations around Steveston and Richmond can be especially beautiful at this time of year.

When do fall colours appear in Vancouver?

Fall colour varies every year depending on temperature, rainfall and location, but you'll generally begin seeing more noticeable autumn colour as you move into October.

If colourful leaves are important to you, October may be the better choice.

But here's something I tell my clients:

Don't choose your family photography date based entirely on finding the perfect tree.

Beautiful light, a location that suits your family and genuine interaction will have a much bigger impact on your final photographs.

What happens if it rains?

Welcome to fall in Vancouver.

I watch the weather as your session approaches and we'll make decisions based on the actual conditions rather than worrying about a forecast two weeks in advance.

Cloudy weather can actually be beautiful for photography.

If conditions aren't suitable for an outdoor session, we'll discuss rescheduling options.

What should we wear for fall family photos?

Start with clothes that feel like you.

You don't need everyone wearing the same colour, and you definitely don't need to buy an entirely new wardrobe.

Instead, think about coordinating rather than matching.

Choose a few complementary colours, mix textures and layers, and make sure everyone can comfortably move around.

Most importantly, wear something you actually feel good in.

If you're constantly adjusting an outfit or telling your teenager not to wrinkle something, it's going to make relaxing in front of the camera much harder.

Are family sessions just for families with young children?

No.

This is something I feel strongly about.

Family photography doesn't stop being important when your kids stop being little.

Bring your teenagers.

Bring your university kids.

Bring your adult children and their partners.

Bring Grandma and Grandpa.

Some of the photographs that become most meaningful aren't created during the baby years. They're the photographs that show the family you've become.

Can grandparents come to a family photography session?

Yes.

Generational family sessions are one of my favourite ways to document a family.

Grandparents are often the people who spent years standing behind the camera.

They photographed birthdays, graduations, holidays and sporting events.

They deserve to exist in the family photographs too.

A generational session gives you photographs of everyone together as well as smaller combinations, including grandparents with grandchildren, couples, siblings and individual family groups.

Where are good locations for fall family photos in Richmond, BC?

Richmond offers everything from waterfront scenery and open fields to historic locations and natural areas.

Some of my favourite areas include Steveston, Garry Point Park, Britannia Shipyards and London Farm.

The best location isn't necessarily the most impressive one.

It's the location that fits your family.

I'll help you choose based on the age of your family members, mobility considerations, the look you want and the time of year.

What time of day is best for fall family photography?

For outdoor sessions, I generally plan around the best available natural light.

As fall progresses, sunset gets earlier, which means family sessions also need to start earlier.

That's particularly important when coordinating work, school and sports schedules.

If you know your family has limited weekday availability, booking earlier gives us more options.

When should I book fall family photos in Vancouver?

If you're hoping for a September or October family photography session, it's a good idea to reach out as soon as you know you'd like one.

You don't need to have the location, outfits or every other detail figured out before contacting me.

That's part of what I'm here to help with.

Ready for fall family photos?

Your family doesn't need to be perfectly posed.

Your teenagers don't have to suddenly become models.

And nobody needs to practice smiling.

Bring me your awkward.

We'll create photographs that look and feel like the people you love right now.

Ready to photograph this season?

Click here for more information on Family Sessions

Contact me to book your Family Session this Fall!

Michelle Baril Photography offers outdoor family and generational photography in Richmond, Steveston, Vancouver and throughout the Lower Mainland.

Family session at London Farm, Richmond, BC.