Fall Family Photos at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve in Plano, TX
October 13, 2026
Fall is one of my favorite times of year for family photos in North Texas, especially when we get beautiful golden hour light!
I first photographed this little guy for his newborn session last year, and now he’s already celebrating his first birthday! We met up at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve in Plano for a session that combined his one-year milestone portraits with updated fall family photos.
The evening light was beautiful, and we were able to get a great mix of family portraits and photos of the birthday boy. One of my favorite parts of being a photographer is getting to see families again as their little ones grow. It’s always fun catching up with returning families and seeing how much has changed since their last session!
A First Birthday Milestone Session at Arbor Hills
Turning one is a pretty big deal! It’s such a fun age to photograph because their little personalities are really starting to show.
For this session, we made sure to get photos of the birthday boy on his own, along with updated portraits of him with Mom and Dad.
I always encourage parents to jump into the photos, even when the main reason for booking is a milestone. Those family photos are just as important as the individual portraits, and I love being able to give families a good mix of both.
And honestly, combining milestone photos with family portraits is a great way to make the most of your session!
Why Arbor Hills Is a Great Location for Family Photos in Plano
If you’re looking for a beautiful outdoor location for family photos in Plano, Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is always worth considering.
With its natural scenery, open spaces, and walking trails, there are plenty of options for different backgrounds without having to travel between locations.
It’s especially pretty during the fall when the evening light starts getting that warm, golden look.
We scheduled this session around golden hour, and the lighting couldn’t have been better!
As a Plano family photographer, I love locations that give us room to move around and let little ones be themselves. We can get those traditional family portraits everyone wants, but also have time for the relaxed, candid photos that happen in between.
From Newborn Photos to First Birthday Portraits
One of the best parts of my job is getting to photograph families through different stages of life.
I photographed this little guy as a newborn last year, and now here we are celebrating his first birthday! It’s pretty crazy how quickly that first year goes by.
Whether it’s newborn photos, a six-month milestone, a first birthday, or your yearly family portraits, I love getting to document those changes.
And for parents who are wondering if they can combine milestone portraits with family photos, the answer is absolutely!
There’s no need to book two separate sessions when we can plan one that includes a little bit of everything.
Planning Your Own Fall Family Photos in DFW
Fall is one of the busiest times of year for family photography in Dallas-Fort Worth, and for good reason! The cooler temperatures and beautiful evening light make it a great time to update your family photos.
If you’re planning a session with little ones, I always recommend choosing a time that works well with their schedule. Golden hour gives us beautiful lighting, but happy, rested kiddos are just as important!
Don’t stress too much about getting everyone to smile perfectly at the camera, either. We’ll get those traditional portraits, but some of my favorite images come from the moments when everyone is simply interacting and having fun.
Looking for a Plano Family Photographer?
Whether you’re celebrating your baby’s first birthday, updating your family photos, or wanting to document another stage of life, I’d love to work with you!
I’m Shelly with Shelly Voss Photography, offering family, newborn, and milestone photography throughout Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Dallas, and the surrounding DFW area.
My approach is a mix of traditional portraits and candid moments, with colorful, timeless editing that looks and feels like you.
Ready to plan your own family session? Head to my site to submit my contact form and let’s get in touch!
I’m Shelly — a camera in one hand and a joke ready in the other. Let’s make photos that feel easy, natural, and full of life.
