Why Fall Is One of the Best Times for a Dog Photography Session

Greg Lanoue • August 8, 2026

Why Fall Is One of the Best Times

for a Dog Photography Session

There's something about fall in New England that feels almost made for dog photography.

The temperatures start dropping. The humidity finally gives us a break. The greens of summer begin giving way to yellows, oranges and reds, and locations that we've photographed all year suddenly look completely different.

But beautiful foliage is only part of what makes fall such a great time for a dog photography session.

For many dogs, the cooler weather makes the entire experience more comfortable. The earlier sunsets give us some great options for session times. And if

you love warm, rustic artwork in your home, the colors we create outside during the fall can translate beautifully into the finished pieces hanging on your walls.

So, if you've been thinking about scheduling portraits of your dog this fall, here's why it's one of my favorite seasons to photograph.

1. Let's Start With the Obvious: The Colors

It's New England.

We have to talk about the foliage.

As the leaves begin changing, locations that were almost entirely green during the summer suddenly give us layers of yellow, orange, red and brown to work with.

Those colors can create a beautiful backdrop without becoming the entire point of the photograph. Your dog is still the focus. The foliage simply gives us another tool to complement their coloring and create the overall feel of the portrait.

And one of the things I love about fall is that there really isn't just one "fall look."

Early in the season, we may still have plenty of green mixed with the first hints of yellow and orange.

Around peak foliage, we get the bold reds, oranges and golds everyone associates with a New England autumn.

Later in the season, things become softer and earthier. Fallen leaves, browns, muted colors and bare branches can create an entirely different look.

Each part of the season has something different to offer.

2. Fall Colors Look Incredible With Rustic Artwork

This is something people don't necessarily think about until we start planning what they're going to do with their photographs.

If your home has a rustic, farmhouse or natural style, fall portraits can work incredibly well with reclaimed barnwood frames.

The warm browns and natural variation in barnwood pair almost seamlessly with the earthy colors we find outdoors during fall.

Instead of choosing a frame after the fact and hoping it works with the photograph, we can actually think about the finished artwork before the session.

If you already know you'd love a large barnwood-framed portrait over the fireplace, for example, that can influence the location we choose, the colors we look for and even what you wear.

That's one of the reasons we talk about artwork during the Dog Photography Consultation Process. We're not just creating a pretty photograph and figuring out what to do with it later.

We're creating something specifically for your home.

3. Cooler Temperatures Can Make Happier Dogs

Fall isn't just more comfortable for us.

For a lot of dogs, it's considerably more comfortable too.

Summer sessions can mean heat, humidity and frequent breaks, particularly for dogs with heavy coats, older dogs or dogs that simply don't love warm weather.

Once those temperatures start dropping, we often have much more flexibility.

Dogs can explore.

They can play.

We can take our time.

And we're not constantly evaluating whether everyone is getting too warm.

Of course, fall weather in Massachusetts can have a personality of its own, so I'm always watching the forecast leading up to a session.

The goal isn't simply to get the photographs.

It's to make sure your dog is comfortable while we're creating them.

4. Our Session Times Get A LOT More Reasonable

There's another benefit to fall that I personally appreciate.

The sun starts setting earlier.

During the summer, outdoor sessions can start surprisingly late because we're waiting for that beautiful light toward the end of the day.

As we move into fall, those start times gradually move earlier.

Depending on the date, location and conditions, we may begin around 3:30 or 4:00 in the afternoon.

And I deliberately leave time at the beginning for your dog to get to know me.

There's no expectation that we arrive, immediately put your dog somewhere and start taking pictures.

They can sniff.

Explore.

Figure out who this strange guy with the camera is.

Then we start working.

Morning sessions become considerably more civilized too.

During the height of summer, getting the best morning light can mean meeting around 5:30 AM.

I'll do it.

But I'm not going to pretend it's my favorite thing. 😂

By fall, we may be meeting around 7:30 AM, which feels considerably more reasonable.

And yes, for the early risers who choose a morning session, I bring coffee for everyone.

There have to be some perks.

5. Some of My Favorite Locations Really Shine in Fall

We're lucky to have some fantastic locations around Massachusetts that offer a lot of variety during foliage season.

Ashland State Park is one of my favorite locations for dog photography because it gives us water, wooded areas, trails and plenty of different backgrounds within a relatively small area. I've actually put together an entire guide to dog photography at Ashland State Park if you'd like to see what makes the location work so well.

Borderland State Park offers a completely different feel with open areas, wooded trails, stone features and the historic estate.

And Great Brook Farm State Park gives us fields, trails, woods and that classic New England landscape.

What I particularly like about locations like these is that we're not relying on one specific tree or one tiny area being at peak color.

There's enough variety that we can explore and find what's working that day.

But location decisions aren't based solely on which place has the prettiest leaves.

The right location also depends on your dog.

A dog who's uncomfortable around unfamiliar dogs may need somewhere quieter.

A senior dog may need relatively flat terrain and shorter walking distances.

A young, energetic dog may love having room to move and explore.

It's actually one of the things I recommend considering when choosing the right dog photographer. A beautiful location isn't the right location if it isn't safe and comfortable for your particular dog.

6. "Peak Foliage" Isn't a Single Day

Every year, people understandably want to know:

When will the foliage be perfect?

And every year, Mother Nature gets the final vote.

Temperature, rainfall, wind and other weather conditions all influence when leaves change and how long they stay on the trees.

We can make an educated guess.

We can choose locations that historically give us good opportunities.

But I would never promise that a particular Saturday three months from now will have absolutely perfect peak foliage.

The good news is that we don't need it.

Some of my favorite fall colors happen before and after what would technically be considered peak.

And remember, we're creating portraits of your dog, not portraits of leaves.

The foliage is there to support the photograph.

7. Fall Sessions Are Worth Planning Early

There's one downside to fall.

It's popular.

Between earlier sunsets, changing foliage, weather and a limited number of weekends, there are only so many opportunities during the season.

That's why I recommend starting the conversation before the leaves begin changing.

It gives us time to talk about your dog, choose a location, discuss what you'd like to create for your home and find a date that makes sense.

And if the weather decides not to cooperate, having some flexibility becomes even more valuable.

If you're considering a fall session, you can schedule a free consultation and we can start figuring all of that out together.

Fall Doesn't Have to Mean One Particular Look

That's probably the biggest thing I'd want someone to take away from this.

A fall dog photography session doesn't have to mean posing your dog in front of the brightest orange tree we can find.

It might mean bold New England foliage.

It might mean a quiet trail covered in fallen leaves.

It might mean muted browns and a rustic portrait designed specifically for a reclaimed barnwood frame.

And most importantly, it should still feel like your dog.

That's what we're really there to photograph.

And don't worry if your dog isn't the type who sits perfectly on command. Your dog doesn't need perfect obedience for great photographs. Part of my job is designing the session around the dog standing in front of me, not expecting your dog to suddenly become someone they're not.

If you've been thinking about a fall session, now is a great time to start planning. We can talk about your dog, the type of location that would work best for them and the artwork you'd ultimately love to have in your home.

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