Most people gravitate toward Fall for their family pictures. It makes sense with the beautiful Fall colors, crisp air, and rapidly upcoming need for a Christmas card photo. Most family photographers’ schedules reflect this, and Fall is a mad dash with little breathing room. Though Fall is amazing (I’m at the orchards, picking apples and drinking hot cider with the rest of you), is it the best season for your family pictures or is another season a better fit?
Spring is best for family pictures if:
You love Spring blossoms. From city parks to Green Bluff orchards, everywhere around Spokane is in bloom and smells fresh and invigorating! Spokane isn’t called the Lilac City for nothing.
You prefer cooler weather. In Spring, it’s cool and comfortable outside—perfect for more active sessions. Your session also won’t risk being rescheduled due to smoky air.
You love a pastel color palette. This isn’t required in Spring, but this is the best season if pastel colors make you swoon. Think coordinating family picture outfits in baby blue, light pink, light yellow, and white or cream. If your home décor is pastel colors, you can make your portrait wall art fit right in.
You want extra flexibility. Most family photographers tend to be less busy in the Spring. This could give you more dates and times to select from, and extra flexibility if something comes up and you need to reschedule. Some locations are also less busy during the school year.
Spring activities, holidays, and traditions make your heart sing. Professionally document and preserve these for your family! Some examples: Easter egg decorating, planting a garden, Spring nature walks, Mother’s Day activities, and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Summer is best for family pictures if:
You have older children. Or you have younger children that are ok staying up past their bedtimes. Outdoor Summer sessions tend to end later in the evening. The best natural lighting for outdoor sessions is closer to sunset (“golden hour”), and the sun doesn’t set until 9-9:30 PM for most of the Summer.
You love hot Summer evenings. Never having to put on a sweater or coat makes you happy, and you’re most comfortable in a cute Summer dress or shorts and a t-shirt.
You want more predictable weather. Spokane Summers tend to be hot and dry. Rain usually won’t mess up your plans, though “smoke season” does take some days/weeks from the outdoor-session schedule.
The school year is way too busy. If your school-year calendar is packed with extra-curriculars and other events, you might want to stick to Summer for your family pictures.
Summer activities, holidays, and traditions make your heart sing. Think Father’s Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, lake house life, boating, beach days, ice cream dates, swimming, playing in the sprinkler, picnics, and more! Turn your fleeting memories into wall art and albums you can revisit anytime you want.
Fall is best for family pictures if:
Fall foliage and scenery are your favorite. Fall does give some gorgeous backdrops!
You prefer cooler weather. You’re most comfortable layered in sweaters, light jackets, Fall scarves, pants, etc.
You love deep colors. Think maroon, goldenrod yellow, navy blue, and rusty red. If you gravitate toward color palettes like this for clothing or home decor, Fall is best for your family pictures.
Your schedule isn’t too busy. Photographers’ schedules usually book up quickly in the Fall, so you may have fewer session date options and less likelihood of availability should you need to reschedule. You might need to take a half-day off work and school to do a session on a weekday (as sunset also happens much earlier)—which can be a nice break for family time anyways. Also, if Fall foliage is a must, Spokane has a very narrow window for the best Fall scenery.
Fall activities, holidays, and traditions make your heart sing. Your family loves apple picking, pumpkin carving, jumping in leaf piles, baking apple pies, Thanksgiving, Halloween, and more. Technically, cutting down and decorating a Christmas tree also counts as a Fall activity, even if we sometimes have snow on the ground.
Winter is best for family pictures if:
You love winter scenery. Snow-covered pine trees and landscapes do make for beautiful portraits. Though you’ll have to be flexible if having an outdoor session in the snow is a must. Spokane can be hit-or-miss with snowy weather.
Bundling up is your favorite. You love cute winter hats, scarves, mittens, and all things winter style.
You want extra flexibility. Most people don’t think of doing family pictures in the winter, so many family photographers have wide-open schedules. Bonus: Your family portraits won’t look like everyone else’s!
Winter activities, holidays, and traditions make your heart sing. Christmas cheer, New Year’s festivities, baking and decorating Christmas cookies, building a snowman, snowshoeing, sledding (and winter walks with a sled in tow), ice skating, and drinking hot chocolate with extra marshmallows are some things your family enjoys.
Any season is best for family pictures if:
You love in-home family portrait sessions. These can be done year round. Your family is comfortable and in their own element, which can make for easy natural expressions and an awesome family session! These are great if home is your family’s happy place and you love playing board games, baking and decorating cookies or cupcakes, baking pies, reading books, and more. Bonus: You don’t have to load the kids into the car to drive anywhere!
There you have it. Any season can be the best season for family pictures—It all depends on your family and what you love. Chat with Alyssa Koster Photography if you need more help figuring out when to schedule your family session. We photograph family sessions all year long! Click the button below to contact and head here for more information about the Alyssa Koster Photography experience: https://www.alyssakosterphotography.com/experience
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