Monday, September 22, is the first day of fall, my favorite time of year. Spring (if we even have it) is muddy; summer can be rainy and sometimes humid; but fall is gorgeous! My favorite bush (shrub? tree?) is the lowly sumac. It never fails to put on a great show, with brilliant colors. The best part is, it comes early and stays late.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01YzfLItsjGgR1HJU7xa3tcdyhOCuY5Q9Q5lHbIVX-hDwRQwPsTcqNHun61oECpOTdVJTgZoml1cAFM_QKGnQmCmfmYC2h02jE_pYJNkmQbNAB6BC_nWbpCAHtTcZD49U-Lsus2yedyNJ/s400/Sumac1.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwno-ELNujrkHMNRCIvpGNhg_YEcAp_PMmcyKbcqGhI7detKVLGFUOqGfh0KYkQX_ThX3Xfdpvndd65-dk2kN_jZhk_vbRSiAr8Jzs3Gk-Kq7jE6cLCspt8vRaQ6_LW3VaMEQfRDYpoic/s400/Sumac3.jpg)
This is also the best time of year for outdoor portraits. The light is golden and warm, the fall foliage makes a great backdrop, and the bugs are gone! My available sessions are filling up; it's good to know that there are an increasing number of people who value a family portrait that can be handed down to the next generation.