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Fall portrait -

Fall brings with it some fantastic photo opportunities. It's one of the most beautiful and radiant seasons of the year, and the autumnal canvas provides a wonderful backdrop for family portraits.

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Fall portrait -

Use the vibrant colors to complement your photo. Position your subject under the canopy and let the sun illuminate the scene through the trees. Fallen leaves also make a useful prop, as a bouquet for example.

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Fall portrait -

Ask your subjects to gather up a handful of leaves and then get them to throw the bundle in the air. Use a fast shutter speed to freeze the moment for a fall image you'll never forget.

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Fall wreath -

What better way to greet the new season than with a wreath of assorted maple tree leaves in orange, beige, and brown autumn colors. Weave in some apples for good measure.

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Fall wreath -

Adorned with pumpkins, fall leaves, and other staples of the harvest, autumn wreaths and fall floral arrangements make for an inviting statement.

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Fall wreath -

A more simple but equally attractive option is to use a combination of fallen leaves and those that are beginning to turn. This way the wreath is embellished with dashes of yellow and green.

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Pressed leaf art -

Fall leaves are blessed with a range of autumnal colors. Gather up the largest and most attractive and sandwich them between newspaper or waxed paper, or between the pages of a book.

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Pressed leaf art -

The best trees for tree foliage include red oak, sugar maple, aspen, katsura, and hickory. Look for leaves from these trees to produce the most striking pressed leaf art.

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Pressed leaf art -

Choose leaves that aren't blemished or bumpy. The rest is up to your imagination. Pressed leaf art enhances any room interior, and it's a super eco-friendly too.

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Candle holder -

The hazel and tan colors of fallen leaves produce a warm and inviting glow when wrapped around a jar serving as a candle holder.

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Candle holder -

These easy DIY candle holders even look good in the daytime.

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Candle holder -

With a little imagination, your autumn tea cup candle jar can be made to appear even more attractive in keeping with the season.

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Pet portrait -

Dogs get very excited as the season turns. Suddenly there are all these leaves to play in. Use the moment to your advantage and set up a photograph that captures the atmosphere of the occasion.

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Pet portrait -

If you get a chance, pile up a bunch of bronze and golden leaves around your obedient pets and snap a pic worthy of Instagram.

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Pet portrait -

But don't let canines take all the credit. If you're a cat lover, take your kitty out into the garden and you might be lucky enough to come away with an adorable photograph like this one.

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Still life -

Bring out the artist in you by creating a still life using a few simple copper toned leaves.

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Still life -

For something more earthy, arrange one or two dead and dried leaves against a sprinkling of hazelnuts and a couple of pine cones, which also fall in autumn.

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Fall place setting -

A single russet-colored leaf at a Thanksgiving table arranged as part of a place setting can speak volumes.

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Fall place setting -

For a more elaborate statement, surround the tableware with a seasonal wreath in warm fall colors. 

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Fall place setting -

And remember, the burnished chestnut hues of autumn work equally well at the table on any occasion throughout fall. And hey, why not add an end of summer dandelion for good measure?

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Wall art -

A garland of fallen maple leaves set along a wall can enliven any interior, and adds a pleasing organic look.

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Wall art -

It's worth mastering the art of leaf printing in order to produce fabulous artwork like this. A simple composition suitably framed and hung on a wall says as much about your eco-credentials as it does your artistic skills.

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Wall art -

And kids, why not collect up some leaves next time you're outside? Bring them back in, dry them out, and have fun making a mobile. Don't forget to find a decent twig to suspend them from.

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Compost -

On a more practical note, fallen leaves are valuable in that they make wonderful free compost, something every gardener should be aware of.

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Compost -

Some hard work is required to collect dead leaves off the ground, but it's worth the effort. And here's why...

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Compost -

Composted leaves contain leaf mold, which has high amounts of calcium and magnesium, both important to healthy plant growth. Leaf mold also retains moisture and while low in essential plant nutrients like nitrogen, the leaves still contain small amounts of all the nutrients plants need, and are a valuable source of soil-improving organic matter.

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Protective mulch -

As well as providing compost, fallen foliage also makes excellent protective mulch, an insulating blanket that provides a protective barrier between the soil and the air.

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Protective mulch -

Mulch conserves soil moisture, improves its health and fertility, and reduces weed growth. And it's just as effective indoors as it is outside.

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Protective mulch -

While whole, dry leaves can work, the most effective leaf mulch is that which has been chopped or shredded before application: thick layers of entire leaves, especially of maples and oaks, can form a soggy mat in winter and spring that can impede the new growth of lawn grass and other plants.

See also: The most popular destinations for fall travel.

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