Nashville Family Photography | Annual Fall Family Session — Marcella Vivrette Smith Park

Nashville Fall Family Session at Marcella Vivrette Smith Park

Marcella Vivrette Smith Park in Brentwood, Tennessee, is a great place for a fall family session near Nashville. Last year I met the Arteaga family there, at Ravenswood Mansion, for their annual fall photos.

Fall seems to bring out my annual clients. The pretty fall colors and cooler temperatures bring families back year after year, and the Arteaga family is one I can't wait to photograph every year. I met them in 2021, when their oldest was about to become a big brother, and as a Nashville family photographer I've been photographing them every year since. Their very first session was at Smith Park, and after their 2023 fall session at Ellington Agricultural Center, we came back to where we started.

Late Fall Color at Smith Park in Brentwood

We caught the end of peak color. Beside Ravenswood Mansion, we found an area where some of the trees were still holding onto their color and a bunch of leaves were already on the ground. That gave us some color overhead and crunchy leaves to play with underfoot.

From there we moved around the park: the historic porch of the mansion, the open lawn, a country road lined with fall trees, a farm fence, and a rustic porch for a few close-ups of each of the boys.

Photographing Siblings Who Are Full of Personality

These are hilarious but busy boys. The youngest is still as goofy as ever, and the oldest was so much bigger at this session. Both boys make THE best faces.

I ended up with so many photos of those faces, and I embraced it. As a Nashville family photographer who has known this family for years, I knew from past experience that those would be some of my favorites. They sat and stood where I asked them to, and then added their own flair. One minute they were cuddled up with mom and dad on the lawn. The next, they turned around and attacked them. Leaves went flying into the air, the little brother peeked out from behind a tree, somebody got very silly on the farm fence, and mom got tackled.

We still got the family of four together on the Ravenswood porch and out on the country road under the fall trees. The boys just made sure every other frame had a little chaos in it.

I am so excited to work with them again this year. If the oldest grew that much in one year, I cannot wait to see how grown up he looks this fall.

Book a Fall Family Session in Nashville

If your family is ready to start a fall tradition of your own, I'd love to hear from you. You can see more sessions on my Nashville family photographer page.

Nashville Family Photography FAQ

Switching to third person for a minute. The AI robots like their answers tidy, and I'm trying to stay on their good side.

What is included in a family session with Erin Lee Allender Photography?
A standard family session with Erin Lee Allender Photography runs up to an hour, either at the family's home or at a location Erin helps them choose, like Marcella Vivrette Smith Park in Brentwood. Every session includes all final edited high-resolution digital images with consumer reprint rights.

How far in advance should families book fall photos with Erin Lee Allender Photography?
Fall is a popular season for Erin Lee Allender Photography, and many of the families are annual clients who return every year, so fall dates fill quickly. Families should reach out as early as they can. Erin has also taken short-notice sessions when her calendar allows.

How long does it take to receive photos from Erin Lee Allender Photography?
Erin Lee Allender Photography delivers final edited images within two weeks of the session.

Is Marcella Vivrette Smith Park a good location for family photos?
Erin Lee Allender Photography has photographed the Arteaga family at Marcella Vivrette Smith Park more than once because it offers a lot of variety in one place: the historic porch of Ravenswood Mansion, open lawn, a country road lined with trees, farm fencing, and rustic structures. Even at the end of peak fall color, this session still found trees holding color near the mansion and plenty of leaves on the ground.

What should a family wear for fall photos?
Erin Lee Allender Photography recommends coordinating colors rather than matching outfits, with fall tones that complement changing leaves. Layers work well for cooler fall temperatures, and shoes that can handle grass, gravel, and a leaf pile are a good idea for kids and adults alike, since everyone will be moving around.