When you live on an island where summer is all year long, you don’t get to experience autumn in all its splendor. I keep the spirit of Fall alive in the tropics by purchasing fall candles, read books, wear sweaters on a rainy day, and indulge in my Pumpkin Spice Latte. Now in 2020, I have this urge to take Fall pictures but: 1. we are living in the middle of a pandemic 2. I live on a tropical island where pineapples are our pumpkins. Is there a way to make my photos look like Autumn?
Luckily, I’ve cracked the code to make content that does look like a fall. In this blog post, I will give you the basics on how to incorporate fall/autumn content subtly and naturally into your insta feed.
Build an autumn color palette
This is the color palette we associate with fall: the orange from the pumpkin, the brown from the autumn leaves, and beige from the pages of a book. This should be your main color palette to produce fall/autumn content. To achieve this color palette use presets from VSCO, Tezza App, or Lightroom that are mainly focused on different shades of brown. I suggest making a vision board on Pinterest so you can have an idea of what you want to produce. You can also add a pop of color such as green, yellow, or blue to your color palette. Mix and match up to your liking!
Tip: download the Pantone App on your phone so you can determine the color palette of your pictures and ensure you have the tones you desire.
WORK WITH WHAT YOU HAVE AT HOME: PROPS
When it comes to autumn, I think of cozy and chilly days. These means have props such as blankets, fuzzy socks, a stack of books, a cup of coffee, etc. You don’t have to spend a lot of money heading to Home Goods or Walmart to get the perfect fall picture. Something as simple as a sweater and a coffee mug can transform a picture into a lovely autumn photo. My advice is to work with what you have in your home and if you need to buy a prop, buy small items like a pumpkin or fake autumn leaves. Just remember to wear a mask and practice social distancing if you want to purchase a prop at a store.
Flatlays
Flatlay is an art form because you get to design what goes in the frame, out of frame, add small details or shift focus onto a product. I think this is a key element to express the spirit of fall in your pictures. This is where you can get creative in the food department and decorate your coffee table. Other places you can create flat lays are: on your bed, working desk, outside (picnic idea), etc. Add textures like wood, blankets, leaves, and maybe waffles could work too. The point of a flat lay is to tell a story and that the elements in the picture make sense.
For example, you want to take a picture of the movie you’re watching on the laptop… What other things would you have near you to enjoy this movie experience? Perhaps a bowl of popcorn or candy would come in handy in the shot. Another element of surprise could be fairy lights, a thick blanket, and your hand grabbing a cup of hot chocolate. You transformed a simple photo of your computer into a visual story-telling that you are having a cozy movie night.
FIND WALLS THAT ARE WARM TONED
If you are in need to take pictures outside (with the practice of social distancing), look for walls that have a warm shade of color. Colors like orange, brown, or yellow can be perfect! If you have available a white wall, you can use an item of clothing that fit into the color palette of fall. You don’t necessarily have to dress in chunky sweaters. GIRL, wearing sweaters in a 90+ degree weather is unbearable! Look for fashion trends that serve as a transition to fall such as midi skirts, boots, hats, etc.
Take Scenic Rides
Unfortunately, here in Puerto Rico, we don’t have events such as apple picking nor going to pumpkin patches. However, we have so many scenic routes in the mountains that it’d be perfect to plan a fall-themed shoot. Roadtrips are always a good idea and it’s a great way to disconnect yourself on a gloomy day the mountains in Cayey and Utuado become foggy and misty, giving that forest enchantment vibes we all love!
Now that I’ve given you all the tips and tricks to make your Instagram scream like PS; are you excited to produce fall content?
