Fall creek session | Family photography in Columbus Ohio

Family

6/19/26

Family of four and a brown dog walking along a creekbed surrounded by colorful fall foliage

Excited to share one of my favorite family sessions, captured this fall in one of my favorite spots in the Columbus, Ohio area. This wooded ravine in the heart of Clintonville holds a special place to me as I spent so much time walking my sweet pup Nellie here. I am a HUGE dog-lover, so when a family asks if they can bring their dogs along for their session, it’s always a “YES” from me!

Family of four standing together in a wooded ravine setting in the fall, arms around each other smiling for a photo. There are two young girls in red rain boots, each standing on large rocks.
Split image: smiling man carries two girls in autumn woods; girls then balance and walk along a log in sunlit leaves. Family photography in Columbus, Ohio

When a family asks if they can include their dogs, it’s always a “YES” from me!

There are definitely a few things to consider though to ensure a safe and successful session with our four-legged family members.

There are a few really popular places around the Columbus area that actually don’t allow dogs, so that might help narrow down your choices a bit, but i shoot all over the Columbus area and surrounding suburbs, so I’m always happy to help find the perfect spot. This wooded ravine at Whetstone in Clintonville is one of the more dog-friendly places I shoot, not to mention it’s absolutely beautiful any time of year.

Two young girls hugging and smiling at the camera, wearing red rain boots, denim overalls and a dress, a colorful fall setting in the woods.
Two girls in red boots play in a creek; beside them, a smiling dad carries one daughter while the other hugs his leg in a wooded stream.

Most kids (and dogs) don’t like to sit still for long, so whenever possible I plan sessions in places that offer plenty of interesting places to explore and play. I like to keep things moving and just encourage parents to have fun with their kids.

A large brown dog with patterned collar stands in a shallow creek, autumn foliage blurred behind in the background
Smiling couple standing arm in arm by a creek in autumn woods, with golden leaves and a peaceful outdoor mood.
Split image of a smiling girl in denim overalls and red rain boots by a creek, standing on rocks and in shallow water amid autumn trees
Three-panel family portrait by a wooded creek: two young girls in red boots, their mother, and two dogs, smiling and playing in water
Family with two children and two dogs playing by a wooded creek, one dog splashing in shallow water on a sunny fall day

One of my favorite things about including your dogs in your family portrait session is that it can often create opportunity for more candid moments to unfold. Dogs (like kids) can be goofy and naturally add a playful energy to the session.

Two dogs wade through a shallow creek, splashing water in a sunny wooded setting.
Split image of a smiling girl with dad in a wooded creek and standing alone in an orange dress and red rain boots.
Two smiling young girls hug outdoors in a black-and-white portrait, one in overalls and one in a patterned dress.

One of the most common questions I get asked is “what should we wear?” While this obviously depends on your family and location, I’d say that this mom, Molly, could teach a master class in coordinating perfectly. This is a great example of mixing patterns with similar colors. Depending on the size of your family, I’d generally suggest keeping it to 2 patterns on larger pieces, then picking a few solids from those patterns. It creates a nice layered look without looking too matchy-matchy.

Smiling family of four with two dogs posing in a leafy autumn yard, with warm sunlight and casual outfits. Family photography in Columbus, Ohio

The way the sun sparkles on the water near sunset always feels magical to me! Early morning or early evening are some of my favorite times to shoot here. Thanks again to this sweet family for choosing me to capture your family – furbabies included!

Split family portrait: girl in red boots by a creek; smiling parents hold two daughters in a sunlit autumn forest

Everyone loves a great candid photo! I also understand that sometimes the hardest picture to get as a parent is the one with everyone all together (and looking nice) And when I say “looking nice” I just mean relaxed and happy, so I will of course get all of those photos throughout the session too, in-between skipping rocks, wading in the creek, tossing leaves, and just having fun.

Kimberly Potterf is a family portrait photographer in Columbus, Ohio offering sessions out of her Grandview area studio and on-location in the surrounding suburbs including Worthington, Westerville, Upper Arlington, Powell, Dublin, Bexley and New Albany.

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