Autumn Inspiration

Are you ready for some Autumn Inspiration? I live in a place with a long winter; a really really really long winter. That means that our other seasons are short and for some reason, autumn feels shortest of all. Maybe this is because we cling to summer as long as possible. But with early snow forecast this year, I feel like there is a bit of a rush to do all the autumn things. And I want to take all the autumn pictures while this fleeting season is here. Plus, I think it just might be the best season.

Why is Autumn so great?

Autumn (at least In the northern hemisphere) is ushered in on the wings of harvests.  Produce is plentiful, sunflowers are sunny, and it’s cooling off enough to spend some time in the kitchen.  We planted a large garden this year as well as a large flower patch.  We have had bumper crops of apples and pumpkin (and zucchini!) and autumn means it’s now time to preserve and use all of this harvest.  So, there is lots of gathering, and picking, and saucing, and canning, and baking, and freezing going on daily.  These are some of my favourite things to document in our home.  It reminds me of my grandma.

 I grew up with grandma living in a little suite in the bottom of our house.  Every year, she would can all the things my mom grew and we would eat them all year.  Her pickles on our Christmas appetizer trays were some of my favourite eats growing up.  But alas, I never took an interest in her work or her wisdom and I’m heartbroken that she passed away long before I ever felt the urge to preserve or bake anything.  Even if you don’t have an inclination or space to garden, there are lots of farms to visit and lots of ways to source produce for canning or pies.  There is something very nostalgic about being in the garden or the kitchen in autumn.  This is why nostalgia and tradition are some of my favourite feelings to capture in my work.  

As things cool off, we pull out sweaters and blankets. All the lovely textures of scarves and mitts to keep warm and cozy, but it’s not so chilly that we can’t enjoy the outdoors.  I love the depth these long forgotten articles of clothing add to our images.  Coziness is a beautiful sentiment to portray.  And, along with the cooling weather, I find the sun much more cooperative in the autumn than in the summer.  I have little kids so golden hour is out of reach much of the summer. However, once the days start to shorten, and the sun sets a little earlier, we can take full advantage in all it’s golden glory.

Want to learn more about capturing Autumn? Check out our Mini Course Autumn Glory!

Finally, autumn is lovely for photos because of all the beautiful colours!  I swoon over the rich tones of this season so much and it inspires me to shoot often, if not daily. Often, I shoot with nothing in mind other than capturing the beautiful changing colours around our home.  We have long winters. Therefore we see mostly browns and white for months on end, but fall still gives us a brilliant display of the richest hues of yellow, orange, and red.  

With nostalgia, tradition, coziness, and colour in mind this season, possibilities for creative outlets are endless.  Here’s a few ideas from my own autumn shot list this year:

1. Seed collecting
2. Pumpkin harvesting/ picking out
3. Corn fields
4. Sunflower patches
5. Flower pressing
6. Bird watching
7. Leaf art
8. Baking muffins
9. Baking cookies
10. Making Pies
11. Apple cider
12. Pumpkin spice drinks
13. Fire wood chopping/ the woodpile
14. Halloween treats
15. Throwing leaves
16. Raking leaves
17. Yard clean up
18. Leaf collecting
19. Autumn crafting (wreath making etc)
20. Seasonal decor
21. Carving pumpkins
22. Campfires/ roasting marshmallows
23. Halloween costumes
24. Candy/ caramel apples
25. Bundled in a blanket

For more inspiration from Sarah Jenkins, follow her on Instagram!