Fall Family Photos at Oak Openings
Fall Family Photos at Oak Openings are hard to beat when the woods are full of color, the fields have turned golden, and those towering pines are catching the prettiest evening light. If you’re considering Oak Openings for your fall family photos, I’m sharing a few of my favorite spots throughout the park, what to wear, and a few things to know before your session. I’m Cynthia Dawson, a Toledo family, maternity, and newborn photographer who loves giving families room to explore, love on each other, and enjoy their time together. I photograph families throughout Toledo, Perrysburg, Sylvania, and the surrounding Northwest Ohio communities.
Long Before We Called Ohio Home
Before we moved to Ohio from Texas, my father in law took us to Oak Openings during one of our visits. It might sound silly, but I was completely blown away by all the trees! This Florida girl didn’t know what to do with so many oaks everywhere. I remember looking around and thinking how beautiful it was, and Oak Openings quickly became a place I loved visiting long before we ever called Ohio home.
Now that we’ve lived here for more than ten years, we’ve visited Oak Openings many, many times, but nothing quite beats this park in the fall. The changing leaves, golden fields, and wooded trails are beautiful in every direction. Even a simple drive through the park has me looking out the windows at everything around us.
So it makes perfect sense that Oak Openings is one of the locations families request again and again for fall photos. There is so much variety tucked into this park, from open fields to colorful woods and a few favorite little spots I’ve found over the years. It gives us plenty of room to explore, let the kids move, and create fall family photos that feel connected while taking advantage of everything this beautiful Northwest Ohio park has to offer.
The Prettiest Week of the Year
You know that week during fall when everything seems to turn yellow, red, or orange all at once and the sunlight dances through the colorful leaves? That is exactly what the woods at Oak Openings feel like during peak fall color. Everywhere you look there is another pocket of color, and when the sun starts coming through the trees in the evening, it is just so, so beautiful.
This is where I love to go when a family really wants that classic fall feeling in their photos. There is so much color surrounding you that we really don’t have to do much besides find a pretty little area and let everyone settle in together.
Where the fall grasses grow
The fields give us something completely different. By fall, the grasses are long and golden with plenty of open space for kids to run, explore, and get some of that energy out.
I especially love the fields for families with younger kids because we can keep moving. We can walk through the grass, let the kids run ahead, scoop them up when they come back, and give them a little more freedom to be themselves. It makes it easier for me to photograph your family without asking everyone to stay in one place for too long.
A Little Love for “The Spot”
If you’re local, there’s a pretty good chance you know exactly what I mean by “The Spot.” Those incredibly tall pines are one of the most recognizable places at Oak Openings, and they create a completely different backdrop from the rest of the park.
There’s something about being surrounded by those towering trees that makes everyone look so tiny in the best possible way. I love stepping back for a few photographs here so you can really see the scale of the trees around your family. And while this spot is beautiful throughout the year, the softer fall light coming through the pines makes it one of my favorite times to photograph here.
Dressing for All That Fall Color
Now that you’ve decided on fall family photos at Oak Openings, there’s probably one question already popping into your head. What in the world is everyone going to wear?
I love all the traditional fall colors like mustard, maroon, warm browns, and tan, especially against the golden fields and changing leaves at Oak Openings. Blues are another favorite of mine mixed in with those warmer fall colors. And if you’re drawn to something softer, a more natural color palette always looks beautiful here too.
Once you have a few colors in mind, I always recommend starting with mom. Find something that fits you well and, most importantly, makes you feel amazing. From there, we can choose pieces for everyone else that coordinate while still letting a little of each person’s personality come through. Subtle florals and stripes can add some interest, while different textures and layers work especially well for fall without making everyone feel too matched.
You don’t have to figure all of this out on your own! I help my full session families with wardrobe so we can choose pieces that look beautiful together, feel like your family, and work with the location we’ve chosen.
If you’re still gathering ideas, I have an entire blog post with more tips for deciding what to wear for fall family photos.
A Few Things Before You Head to Oak Openings
Oak Openings is a huge Metropark with more than 5,000 acres, so it can be surprisingly easy to drive right past some of the prettiest little pockets if you don’t know where you’re going. Many of my favorite places to photograph families are tucked around Girdham Road, but there are so many beautiful areas throughout the park to explore.
You won’t have to worry about finding the exact spot on your own. Before your session, I’ll send you a location pin along with any parking details you need so finding me is super easy. Some of my favorite locations require a little walking, so comfortable shoes for getting to our spot are always a good idea. You can change into your photo shoes once we get there if needed!
One other thing to remember is that Oak Openings is full of wildlife, which is part of what makes it such a beautiful place to explore. Bug spray can be helpful, especially if you’re sensitive to bites, and I always recommend giving everyone a quick check for any little hitchhikers after spending time in the fields or woods.
If you’re looking for more helpful prep, then check out the fall family photo checklist!
Because Next Fall Will Look a Little Different
We all know fall in Ohio never seems to last quite long enough. One minute the trees are full of color and the next, the leaves are on the ground and we’re wondering how it went by so quickly.
Family life has a funny way of doing the same thing. By next fall, routines may look different, your kids will be a little taller, and your family will have grown and changed in ways you probably don’t even notice happening right now.
That’s why I love making time for family photos during seasons like this. There is so much about your family right now that is worth remembering. The way your kids fit in your arms (or don’t!), the personalities that keep you laughing, and simply what being together looks like in this season.
If you’ve been thinking about fall family photos at Oak Openings, I’d love to spend an evening here with your family and help you remember a little piece of this season together. Reach out to Cynthia today to start planning your fall family photo session in Toledo, Ohio!
Want even more fall fun? Check out the What to Wear for Fall Family Photos complete guide, Where to Take Fall Photos Near Toledo and Beyond, Fall Family Photo Checklist, and What is the Best Month for Fall Photos?
Oak Openings Metropark FAQ
Is Oak Openings Metropark a good location for fall family photos?
Yes! Fall Family Photos at Oak Openings give us so much variety within one park. Between the colorful woods, golden fields, and towering pines, there is so much variety within one park.
When is the best time for fall family photos at Oak Openings?
If you are hoping for lots of fall color, October is typically a beautiful time at Oak Openings. Fall color can change from year to year, though, and those golden fields and pines give us beautiful options even if the leaves are not quite at their peak.
Where is Oak Openings Metropark?
Oak Openings Preserve Metropark is located in Swanton, Ohio, west of Toledo. The park is huge, so I send my families a location pin before their session so they know exactly where to meet.
What should we wear for fall photos at Oak Openings?
Warm fall colors like mustard, maroon, brown, and tan look beautiful here, along with blues and softer natural tones. For my full session families, I also offer one on one styling help so we can choose outfits that work well together and with our location.
Is Oak Openings a good photo location for young kids?
Definitely. The open fields and natural areas give kids plenty of room to move and explore. I love letting kids take the lead a little, which gives us lots of opportunities to photograph your family while everyone is spending time together.
