Simple Fall Family Traditions to Make October Count
By Becky Hyman, co-owner of Phil Hyman Portraits, a second-generation family portrait studio in Greenville, SC
Quick answer: The best fall family traditions are small, repeatable, and chosen together. Let each family member pick one "October yes," start a gratitude jar early in the month, protect one slow evening a week, and make sure Mom gets in the pictures. For better Halloween photos on your phone, shoot before sunset, get down to your child's eye level, and turn off the flash.
Why Fall Family Traditions Matter
On October 1st, our son Phillip comes home for fall break from college. And we already know exactly how we're spending that first night.
Favorite pizza. Everyone's favorite candy piled on the coffee table. And one scary movie that all four of us can agree on (which, honestly, is the scariest part of the whole evening).
It's nothing fancy. But it's ours. With Phillip in college now, I've learned something every mom eventually learns: the nights you get with everyone under one roof start to feel more precious each year. Traditions give those nights a shape, so they happen on purpose instead of by accident.
Here are five simple ideas that help our family enjoy fall instead of rushing through it.
1. How Do You Choose Fall Activities as a Family?
Let everyone pick one "October yes." Sit down together early in the month, have each person name one fall thing they really want to do, and write the list on a sticky note on the fridge.
For the Hyman family, one yes is always the same: a trip to Sky Top Orchard in Hendersonville, North Carolina. It has been a family tradition for years, and I don't think our kids would let us skip it if we tried. Your list might include a corn maze, a bonfire, or carving pumpkins on the porch. Four or five small yeses beat a long list you'll never finish.
2. What Is a Gratitude Jar, and When Should You Start One?
A gratitude jar is a simple family habit where everyone writes down one thing they're thankful for each day and drops it in a jar. Start it on October 1st instead of waiting until November.
Set a jar and a notepad on the kitchen counter and add to it at dinner each night. By Thanksgiving, you'll have a whole month of your family's story to read aloud around the table. (And if someone writes "pizza" four nights in a row, it still counts.)
3. How Can Busy Families Slow Down in the Fall?
Protect one open evening every week. Fall calendars fill up fast with games, practices, and school events, so choose one weeknight that stays unscheduled. No errands, no rushing.
Make soup, play a board game, take a walk around the neighborhood, or plan a movie night of your own. Your kids won't remember the schedule. They'll remember the evenings.
4. How Do You Take Better Halloween Photos on Your Phone?
The biggest improvements come from light and angle. Here are the tips Alex and I share with families at our studio:
Go out before dark. The time just before sunset gives soft, warm light that flatters costumes far more than a porch light or flash.
Get down to your child's eye level. Kneel, squat, or sit on the curb. Photos taken from adult height make kids look small and far away.
Turn off the flash. Tap the screen on your child's face to set focus and exposure instead.
Keep shooting after the pose. After the "say cheese" shot, let them run, laugh, and show off their candy. The in-between moments are usually the keepers.
Hand the phone to someone else. Which brings me to the most important tip.
5. Why Should Moms Be in Family Photos?
Because your kids will want to see you there. Moms are usually the ones behind the camera, and years from now, children look back and wonder where their mother was.
Hair not done? Get in anyway. Your kids don't need a perfect version of you. They need you in the story.
Planning a Family Portrait This Fall?
If there's a portrait you've been picturing for your family, maybe everyone together while the kids are home for the holidays or a milestone you don't want to slip by, we'd love to hear about it. At Phil Hyman Portraits in Greenville, SC, every portrait begins with a Discovery Call: a relaxed conversation where we listen to what you have in mind and help you picture what would fit your family and your home.
[Book your Discovery Call here] or call us at 864-235-7864.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some easy fall family traditions?
Easy fall family traditions include a family movie night with favorite snacks, a yearly trip to an apple orchard, a gratitude jar started in October, carving pumpkins together, and one protected screen-free evening each week.
What is a good fall family outing near Greenville, SC?
Apple picking in the Hendersonville, North Carolina area is a popular fall outing for Upstate families. The Hyman family's long-time favorite is Sky Top Orchard in Hendersonville.
What time of day is best for Halloween photos?
The best time is shortly before sunset. The light is soft and warm, faces look natural, and you can skip the flash.
How do I take better photos of my kids with my phone?
Shoot at your child's eye level, use natural light instead of flash, tap the screen on their face to focus, and keep taking pictures after the posed shot to capture real expressions.
How do I book a family portrait session at Phil Hyman Portraits?
Start by scheduling a Discovery Call at philhyman.com or by calling 864-235-7864. It's a relaxed conversation about your family, your home, and the portrait you have in mind.
About the author: Becky Hyman co-owns Phil Hyman Portraits in Greenville, South Carolina, with her husband, Alex. The studio was founded by Alex's father, Phil Hyman, more than 54 years ago and creates heirloom family portraits and wall art for families across the Upstate.
