Photo of Grant Park ATL taken by Lance Long of LongShots Media LLC
The Quiet Magic of Grant Park in Autumn
There’s something special about Grant Park in the fall — golden light through old oaks, fiery leaves along quiet trails, and just enough city hum to remind you you’re still in Atlanta. Every season has its moment here, but fall is when the park really shows off.
Photo of Grant Park ATL taken by Lance Long of LongShots Media LLC
Wandering with Intention
When the air starts to cool and the leaves begin to turn, I always find myself heading back here with my camera. The park’s layout makes it perfect for slow, intentional walking — the kind of photo walk where you’re not chasing the perfect shot, you’re letting it find you. Between the winding paths, the historic homes, and the old trees framing every corner, there’s always something that catches your eye.
Photo of Zoo Atlanta taken by Lance Long of LongShots Media LLC
Morning Light by the Lake
One of my favorite spots is near the lake by the Zoo Atlanta entrance. In the morning, when the light hits the water, the reflections of the trees double the color and create this soft, painterly effect. A polarizing filter can really make those reflections pop, especially if you’re shooting wide.
Photo of Grant Park ATL taken by Lance Long of LongShots Media LLC
The Neighborhood Edge
As you move deeper into the park, look for the small details — the way leaves collect on the pathways, the texture of old brick walls, or the warm contrast between shadow and sunlight. Grant Park has a way of turning the simplest things into compositions worth keeping. I like to switch between wide shots that show the park’s openness and tighter frames that focus on those quiet, overlooked moments.
Photo of Grant Park ATL taken by Lance Long of LongShots Media LLC
And if you wander toward the surrounding neighborhood, the Victorian homes along the edge of the park make incredible backdrops. Their historic colors play perfectly against the oranges and yellows of fall. A few streets over, you’ll catch glimpses of the city skyline through the trees — a reminder that this calm, leafy corner sits right in the heart of Atlanta.
Photo of Grant Park ATL taken by Lance Long of LongShots Media LLC
Capture the Season with Take Pics Here
Fall in Atlanta is fleeting, but the colors and memories you capture don’t have to be. Whether you want to explore the city with me and get hands-on tips during a photo walk tour, or prefer to wander at your own pace with one of our Self-Guided Photo Walk Tours, Atlanta is full of colorful spots waiting to be captured.
