Inspiration for Your Vermont Fall Foliage Photography

There’s something about Vermont’s fall foliage that just makes me want to grab my camera and head out the door. Maybe it’s the crisp air or the way the world seems to slow down. Or maybe it’s simply the beauty of the leaves changing color, turning every hillside and street into a tapestry of reds, oranges, and yellows. For me—and I think for a lot of people—fall isn’t just another season. It’s a reminder to stop and take notice of the world around us before winter sets in.
And of course, this means that fall has this incredible way of sparking creativity. But with everyone and their neighbor out there trying to get that postcard-perfect shot of the trees, how do you make your fall photos stand out?

For me, it’s all about pushing beyond what’s obvious and finding new ways to tell the story of fall. Sometimes that means blending urbex elements into my work, like capturing a broken-down barn overtaken by bright red ivy, and other times it’s about playing with light and shadows to add a little mystery. No matter your approach, there’s so much potential to get creative during this season. 

Here are a few ideas and techniques inspired by fall foliage in Vermont to help you find your own spin on fall photography:

1. Go Beyond the Leaves

Anyone can point their camera at a colorful tree and get a nice photo, but I always ask myself: What’s the story here? What’s happening beyond the leaves? Maybe it’s an old, forgotten swing set peeking through a tangle of ivy or a weathered farmhouse standing stubbornly amid a sea of color. It’s these kinds of hidden narratives that draw me in—those little details that give a photo life beyond just “pretty.”

Look for small moments that tell a bigger story. A squirrel storing acorns for the winter, a lone canoe on a lake, or a cluster of migratory birds flying overhead. Adding these elements can turn a standard foliage shot into something more thoughtful and meaningful.

2. Vermont Fall Foliage: Urbex Meets Autumn

As someone who spends a lot of time exploring and photographing abandoned places, fall is one of my favorite times to shoot. The season of renewal and decay feels even more poignant when you see it taking over a crumbling wall or creeping through the shattered windows of an old greenhouse. It’s like nature’s way of reclaiming and redefining these forgotten spaces.

If you’re drawn to urbex photography like I am, always make sure you’re choosing safe locations—especially in fall, when damp leaves and changing weather can make things slick. The last thing you want is a twisted ankle when you’re miles away from help!

3. Light and Shadow Play

Fall is the season of light and shadow. There’s something about the way the sun sits lower in the sky that makes everything feel a bit more dramatic. I love capturing silhouettes of bare branches against a backdrop of fiery maples or finding spots where the light filters through a canopy of golden leaves. It’s about finding that balance between brightness and shadow that tells the story of autumn’s fleeting beauty.

Don’t shy away from cloudy days. The soft, diffused light of an overcast sky can make the colors of the leaves pop without the harsh shadows you get on sunny days.

4. Change Your Perspective

Sometimes it’s not what you’re photographing, but how you’re seeing it that makes all the difference. Maybe it’s looking up through a web of branches, or crouching low to capture a carpet of fallen leaves from a ground-level view. Getting a little adventurous with your angles can reveal completely new ways to see familiar scenes.

Shoot through leaves to create a natural frame around your subject, or look for reflections in puddles, ponds, or even windows to add an extra layer of interest to your shot.

5. Embrace Movement with Fall Foliage

Fall foliage photos don’t always have to be still. Capture the swirl of a gust of wind through a grove of birches or the blur of water running over fallen leaves in a creek. Using long exposure or motion blur can introduce a sense of energy and life into your work that makes the viewer feel like they’re right there with you, watching the leaves dance.

Bring a tripod to keep your camera steady for long exposures, and play around with shutter speeds until you find that perfect balance of motion and stillness.

Why Fall Photography It’s Worth the Effort

Photographing fall foliage in Vermont can feel a bit like a race against time. The colors change so quickly, and if you wait too long, you’ll miss that peak moment when the trees are glowing with color. But I think that’s what makes it so special. There’s a sense of urgency and excitement, knowing that you have to be present and ready to capture it before it’s gone.

But more than anything, photographing fall is about being in the moment. It’s about noticing the way the light hits a cluster of leaves, or how a single red leaf stands out against a sea of yellow. It’s a chance to slow down, breathe in the cool air, and appreciate the world as it is, right now. And maybe that’s why we’re so drawn to it—because, like the season itself, it’s fleeting, and it reminds us to pay attention to the beauty around us before it disappears.

So, grab your camera, head outside, and start shooting. Whether you’re exploring a local park, wandering through the woods, or just looking out your front window, there’s fall beauty to be found everywhere. And who knows? You might just capture something truly magical.

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Capturing the Magic of New England’s Fall Foliage