There’s something bittersweet about fall when you’re raising children.

Another school year. Another inch taller. Another season that somehow arrived before you were quite ready for it.

The leaves are changing. So are they.

This year, I wanted to make fall family photos feel a little less like something to get through and a little more like something worth remembering.

So for one early fall evening, I’m offering a small collection of Fall Petite Sessions at Faithful Farms in Maidens, Virginia, tucked into the Goochland countryside just outside Richmond.

Twenty minutes in the flower fields. Beautiful evening light. A little direction from me, plenty of room for your family to be themselves, and photographs of this particular version of them before it changes again.

Beautiful portraits don’t require perfectly behaved people.

Come photo ready. Wear the beautiful clothes.

But if your little one needs to bring the favorite toy, bring it. If somebody gets a grass stain, we’ll survive. And if your too-cool teenager gives me that smile, don’t worry. I have my ways.

I’ll guide you throughout our time together so you don’t need to know what to do with your hands, how to arrange everyone, or how to convince your children to perform for the camera.

You take care of getting everyone there.

I’ll take care of making it beautiful.

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Fall Petite Session Details

Sunday, September 20, 2026
Faithful Farms | Maidens, Virginia
20-minute family petite session
$349
Curated online gallery
Styling guidance included

Two sessions currently remain: 4:30 PM + 5:00 PM.

Because I keep these evenings intentionally small, there are only four families photographed during this offering.

What should we wear for fall family photos?

You don’t need to dress everyone alike. In fact, I’d rather you didn’t.

For the flower fields, think soft, layered and a little romantic: warm neutrals, creams, soft blues, muted greens, dusty rose, camel, faded denim and subtle floral prints.

Start with one outfit you love, then build everyone else around it using complementary colors, different textures and just enough pattern to keep things interesting.

Once your session is reserved, I’ll send you my Fall Petite Style Guide with more ideas for putting everything together.

Come photo ready. Bring the childhood with you.

Coordinate the clothes. Brush the hair. Bring the good shoes.

And bring the lovey.

Bring the little toy they’re obsessed with right now. Let the hair get a little mussed when siblings collide. Don’t worry if the perfectly planned version of the evening gives way to the real one.

Someday, those may be the details you miss most.

Childhood doesn’t wait for the perfectly behaved day.

Let’s remember them like this.

Emily Bartell Photography
Goochland & Richmond, Virginia Family Photographer