As the leaves transform into a vibrant tapestry of reds and golds, Helsinki and its surroundings come alive with the magic of fall. Ready to embrace this magical season with your family? Wondering where to capture picture-perfect moments in the Helsinki capital area? I've got you covered! I’ll share my favorite spots and a few extra tips with you so you have the finest results.
Autumn is one of my favorite seasons of the year. Forests turn into exquisite colors and you just want to bottle up that sight. Isn’t it the perfect time to take a few photographs for your family album?
Finnish “ruska” is at its best in the end of September till the middle of October in South. Nature is all around us here, so we don’t even have to travel far away for a good location. The nearest forest can provide a variety of trees with colorful foliage or you can find smaller spots that give stunning red and yellow backgrounds to your images.
These are my top 3 locations for capturing the autumn magic with your family:
Träskända Manor, Espoo
Meilahti Park (Sibelius Park), Helsinki
Meilahti Arboretum, Helsinki
Träskända Manor is located in Espoo over the ring III. The manor has a big groomed park with enormous oak trees so because of that no red colors to be seen. Keep that in mind when planning a shoot there. At the end of the park, a natural trail starts.
Meilahti and Töölö may have the most ahorn trees in the city. The perfect spot if you are looking for a place in the middle of the city. Yellow and red foliage gives a nice background, while Töölö bay provides seaside scenery in your photos. Remember, the area is quite crowded.
My newest found and love on my list is Meilahti arboretum. It is a hidden gem near Seurasaari. The small park has a wide variety of plants so it creates a bit more interesting background in your images.
At last, let me give you some handy tips to help you take beautiful photos of your kids and family amidst the fall foliage.
Embrace the Golden Hour The soft light during late afternoon (1-2 hours before sunset) adds a golden glow to your images, so use it.
Play with Depth Create depth in your photos by including elements in the foreground, middle ground, and background. It adds dimension to your autumn scenes.
Rule of Thirds Apply the rule of thirds to create well-balanced and visually appealing images. Enable the grids on your phone (settings>camera) and place your subject along the gridlines.
Use Portrait Mode Most smartphones offer a portrait mode that blurs the background, making your subjects pop. It's excellent for highlighting family members amidst the fall scenery.
Get Down to Their Level For a more intimate perspective, crouch down to photograph kids at their eye level. This creates a stronger connection in the photos.
Dress the Part Encourage your family to wear cozy, coordinated outfits in autumn colors like deep reds, oranges, and earthy tones. This will complement the fall backdrop beautifully.
Give Directions A little direction can help create authentic, unplanned interactions. Encourage family members to play games (tickling, Simon says with little kids), share funny stories, or exchange hugs and laughter.
So, grab your family and head to one of the aforementioned parks. With these tips, you'll capture the essence of this beautiful season with your phone. Happy Autumn!