Fall Baking with Kids—A Motherhood Photography Project

I don’t have much of a sweet tooth.  I rarely order dessert at restaurants, we don’t keep sweets in the house, and more often than not I’d prefer an extra scoop of macaroni and cheese to a plate of cookies.  But something happens when Fall comes around.  The humidity and heat that hung above the green grass for months is replaced by a clean crispness and change of colors.  The cool greens and blues of summer are replaced with the warmth of oranges and yellows and reds, and the scents of homes change transition from honeysuckle to cinnamon and spice.  I can’t pinpoint a single thing, but something about this time of year makes a baker out of me.  I try all the recipes I can find time for that involve cinnamon, pumpkins, apples, and brown sugar.  Even if the recipes yield a mediocre treat, I can barely let them cool off before I start enjoying the fruits of my labor.

This seasonal metamorphosis has once again greeted me with a sweet tooth, a welcomed sense of slowing, and a feeling of inspiration to pick up my camera.  Days are getting shorter, the light changes, different from the harsh light and shadows created in the relentless sun of summer.  A quiet contrast. A small shift.  I’m hoping you can relate to all of these feelings, because for me, it’s such a joyful place to be. 

Whether you are an avid baker or a seasonal one like me, today I’m sharing with you my tips for telling your fall baking story in photos in hopes of inspiring you to create artifacts to accompany your favorite recipes—the first of ours for the season being cider.

The Ingredients

The ingredients of the season are what make it so special! The deep red of apples, the warm brown of cinnamon, and the glorious oranges of pumpkins.  Try embracing the mood of the season with lower light and warmer tones.

The Helpers

My son is finally able to help with a few steps in the kitchen and he loves it and I love having him help.  If you are a solo baker, however, take the time to get in the frame, showing you making the things you love to make.

The Process

I don’t suggest including every step of your recipe, because, if I’m being honest, that would be terribly boring, but include a few of the steps, whether in details or execution.

The Mess

This one probably doesn’t need an explanation but try to get creative with your composition. Make a mess look less like a mess and more like a piece of art. (PS a pretty mess is still a pain to clean!)

The Product

Because all work and no play makes baking a dull event..capture that final product before you eat (or drink!) it all up.

Cheers and happy fall baking, y’all!