NJ documentary family photographer | Embracing the Final Days of Fall: Documenting Family Life at the Lake in Sussex County, NJ

As a NJ documentary family photographer, I’m drawn to moments that tell a story—capturing families savoring their time together, especially during those beautiful transitional seasons. Recently, I had the privilege of photographing a family of four spending their last few weeks at their lake cabin in Sussex County before heading back to their main home for winter. This family’s summer hideaway transforms into a vibrant autumn oasis, where they embrace the crisp air, the warm colors, and the final breaths of a simple life before the chill of winter sets in.

The L family reached out to me not for posed portraits but to document their lives as they are—authentic, sometimes chaotic, and always beautiful. They wanted to capture the changing seasons around them and hold onto the sweet memories they had made this past season on the lake. Their lakeside cabin, accessible only by boat, is surrounded by trees turning brilliant shades of orange and red, reflecting in the calm waters below. It’s a scene that deserves to be remembered and documented.

The children, two small redheads with boundless curiosity, spent the session running through leaves, playing with mom and dad, and chasing the family dog along the forest paths. They found wonder in nature and the simple things – just how their parents are intending – to instill in them a simpler beautiful way of life while they are young. Through lifestyle and documentary family photography in Sussex County, New Jersey, these moments—the ordinary, intimate interactions—that tell a family’s unique story.

Their parents watched with love, soaking in these last fall moments. Mom and Dad shared how the lake cabin has become a part of their family’s fabric—a place where time slows down and every day feels like a small adventure. For them, documentary photography isn’t about framing perfection; it’s about capturing the genuine connections and natural beauty in their children’s exploration and play.

With each photograph I took , I documented the family fully embracing the season, laughing together, exploring and sharing quiet moments by the lake’s edge. It was a beautiful way to end the season and hold onto the memories for many years to come as the children grow and change each passing year.

If you’re considering a documentary-style family session in New Jersey, fall is the perfect time to capture your story. Sussex County’s forests, lakes, and sweeping views provide a stunning natural backdrop for a family photo session that captures the vibrancy of the season and the closeness of family. As your NJ documentary family photographer, I aim to tell the story of these moments—authentic, unfiltered, and deeply meaningful. Whether it’s at the end of summer or as fall gives way to winter, these sessions preserve the memories of a simpler life, wrapped in the beauty of nature.

Ashley is a Family and Wedding photographer located in Northern NJ serving Sussex County Morris County Warren County New York and Eastern PA. Get in touch to chat about your New Jersey Photoshoot needs!

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