What is the best time of year to take family photos? If you find yourself reading this post looking for a profound answer, I’m going to warn you now: There is no right answer to this question. There are a variety of “best” times of year to take family photos, but only one may be right for you!

I believe you can have family photos taken any time of year. I only reschedule a photography session if there is an actual weather event such as rain, hail, or insane wind.

To determine the best time of year may be ideal for you, I would consider the following:

1. What is your favorite season of clothing? If you take your photos in the spring or summer, you will likely dress in clothing that is a bit more summery. Typically brighter colors and more casual. If you have your photo taken in the fall or winter you may be wearing more layers, have more vibrant and bold colors, and may even need to wear a coat. So, think about the aesthetic you prefer.
2. Time of Day. Remember how long the days are in the summer? I try to schedule my sessions an hour before sunset to get the best “golden” hour light. In the summer, this can mean that your session may not start until around 7:30-8 pm. We can begin summer sessions earlier, but this will mean we will need to be in a shaded area. In the fall the start time is late afternoon, sometimes as early as 4:30 pm, which can be difficult for weekday sessions when you have to consider work/school schedules. If you would like a fall session, I would shoot for early fall when sunset times work better with your work/school schedule. If you don’t want to have to think about sunset, we can always head into the studio!
3. Location, Location, Location. Think about the type of place you would like your photos taken concerning the time of year. For example, fall brings a beautiful color pallet, so a park may be a better location for fall. Summer sunsets in a field or near water are gorgeous but not ideal in the fall. Winter locations are ideal when snow covered so I would consider areas with snow-covered trees or buildings – flat fields can look naked.

Hopefully, I haven’t confused you more! I want you to have the ideal images and colors to hang in your home or for your holiday card. And if you can’t decide, I would be happy to do a session for you in every season! 😜

On a serious note, if you are the type that only schedules photos for your holiday cards than I would consider booking in early fall so that sunset is before your kid’s bedtime and after the workday ends. This time of year can have a short timeframe and is a busy time of year to book a photographer, so make sure you do it early! You can check sunset time HERE.

And if you are curious about my Holiday Card Selection this year, you can check it out HERE.

If you found this information helpful, check out 5 Tips For Preparing For Your Family Session