What is Portrait Season?

When is the perfect time of your for outdoor family photos? First of all, it really depends on your personal style, your home décor, and what you want to put on your walls. Digital copies of your photos are great for Facebook, but I believe your family memories are best enjoyed in your home and on your walls! Some of my clients even rotate family photos to get the best match with their seasonal style.

Of course, as a photographer I have my personal preferences, and I would love to share my insights with you about the best time to book your photographer to get the most out of your family photos.

new family of five in a gorgeous downtown location

Traditionally photographers tend to be really busy throughout the holidays, starting around the time of Halloween and in early November, right up until Christmas. This is the time of year when people start to think about what to give as Christmas presents, and their annual Christmas card or letter. Also, late fall is when the last of the color goes out of the trees in the Seattle area and the days start getting darker and more rainy, which makes it a lot more difficult to schedule in beautiful family photos.

What I’d love my families to know is that, between August and October is the sweet spot for beautiful Seattle weather. I love August – it’s one of my favorite months, particularly because of the unique colors it brings out. The grass changes from spring green to late summer oranges, yellows, and browns, and the leaves begin to change slightly too, getting ready for their fall colors. While I love the fall colors between October and November, as soon as the kids are back in school it seems like we run into the rainy season! So, my hope for my clients is that they book family photos in August to really be able to enjoy both the beautiful colors and light of late summer, but also their experience, since it’s still warm, dry, and the kids are free during the week.

Also, from a styling point of view, all of the bold neutral tones that come out in August really work well with many different color schemes and home décor, making August the most versatile month for your family photos! Just be aware that these ideal dates (especially Saturdays) book up well in advance, so you might start thinking about booking your session a few months prior to get the best spots, especially if you want a weekend date.

But if late summer isn’t your thing, I also love certain times of the spring – when wild flowers begin to bloom and the world is looking green again – it offers a different environment for those bright, vibrant family photos. Mixing it up with a scenic bridge or winding road for your photos throws a unique twist on those super green greens you’ll get in a park setting.

And what about timing? Your photographer has probably told you that the time of day is one of the most important things to consider when booking your session, because the time of day will determine what kind of light you have to work with.

You might have also heard that sunset time is the best time for photos, and as a photographer I completely agree! What we call ‘golden hour’ light happens year round in about the last hour before the sun goes down, but depending on the time of year you book your photos, that could be anywhere from 4 pm in the winter, to 10 pm in the June and July! That’s why if you have a toddler or young children, I recommend waiting a little longer in the year for those post daylight savings September and October dates. And while I’m certainly more of an evening person than a morning person, an early morning session is always an option for that same great light right after the sun comes up. I’ll always rise to the occasion for an early session, which is another great option for families with young kids.

So, what should you do if the holidays are rolling around, and you haven’t booked your family photos yet? My advice is to embrace the season! If we have to use an umbrella during the family session, get creative with it and rock that rainy weather in true PNW style. And if you’re already dreaming of next summer, get in touch to book those limited dates now!