Oh fall, my old friend. You bring with you scarves, boots, apple pies and the ridiculous notion that I absolutely must visit a pumpkin patch with my children or risk traumatizing them for life. Never mind that my son is only six months old and wouldn’t know a pumpkin if he was plopped down next to one and he bent over and curiously licked it. Oh yeah, that happened.
If you too find yourself falling victim to the Pinterest/Facebook/Instagram shaming this fall, here are some steps to help you snap that perfect shot of your baby in the pumpkin patch.
Step One: Select the perfect fall-themed ensemble. Overalls? Necessary. Plus, your kid will love ‘em.
Don’t forget the moccasins. Essential for pumpkin patch photo perfection.
Even if it is almost 80 degrees on the day you’re visiting the pumpkin patch.
Step Two: Expect your kid to fall asleep in the car, maximizing their enjoyment when you inexplicably try to photograph them next to a large squash.
Step Three: Find the biggest pumpkin in the patch and snap a photo of your kid next to it.
That’s right, I took a Bumbo to the pumpkin patch. This isn’t my first pumpkin-patch rodeo. I first attempted the perfect pumpkin patch shot two years ago with Holden.
I was not successful.
Step Four: Move your setup inside a cluster of pumpkins for your next shot. Realize you’ve lost a shoe somewhere. Don’t care; the perfect shot is more important.
Step Five: Hope he gets over the novelty and looks at the camera.
Step Six: Make ridiculous noises and faces until he looks at you. Ignore the amused stares from people who are judging you for trying to take a photo of a baby in a pumpkin patch.
Step Seven: Realize that this is the best shot you’re going to get. Pack up your Bumbo, Mama. You’ve captured a pumpkin patch photo.
Step Eight: Don’t forget that moccasin.
And just because these photos still crack me up two years later, here’s baby Holden giving me the stink eye in the pumpkin patch.
If you want to recreate this absolute magic for yourself, here are some local pumpkin patches to visit with your little pumpkin:
Brown's Orchards & Farm Market 8892 Susquehanna Trail South, Loganville, PA 17342 Country Barn Market 211 S. Donerville Road, Lancaster, PA 17603 Flinchbaugh's Orchard and Farm Market 110 Ducktown Road, York, PA 17406 Maize Quest 2885 New Park Rd, New Park, PA 17352
Happy Fall, ya’ll. Follow us over on oh, bother blog or on Instagram (@nomiddlenamemeg) for more fun holiday adventures.
*Note: I didn’t even attempt to take Holden to the pumpkin patch now that she’s a toddler, as that aggravation and humiliation is not even worth writing the perfect blog post.