Just because everyone you know rushes for the fall family photo fury doesn’t mean that you always have to book your family photos in Fall. So let’s talk about when to book family photos this year. Let’s look at all of the factors you may want to consider for outdoor photos, besides booking Fall because it is your default (nothing wrong with that btw)

Consider seasons and schedules:

• What (if any) seasons feel particularly stressful? I ask this as I am a mom of 3 and we have busy schedules. This could be considering your children’s schedules, partner/your work schedule (i.e. coaches have busy seasons, farmers + accountants all have busy times of year). Can you schedule a family photo session during the week or do you need/want a weekend?
• What seasons does your family really enjoy or thrive in? What are your favorite seasons to spend together? This comes in to play more for outdoor sessions, because indoor sessions can be done any season. I also recommend for families to change it up. Here are some fun “out of the box” ideas for authentic family photos. And here are unconventional ideas for each season! If you have traditionally done fall outdoor sessions, it could be really fun to schedule a session in summer time and change the vibe! Different seasons look different (as far as environment), so it can give your photos different looks each year (or some people even schedule twice a year). Think beautiful green rolling hills and prairie wildflowers in summer, with bright blue skies. Or do you love autumn’s color scheme of golds, browns, oranges?
• Another consideration with seasons are typical temperatures. I know this sounds obvious, but sometimes people schedule sessions and then realize they either don’t like being hot and sweaty (kind of happens in summer in Iowa) or their kids hate being cold (could be Fall/Winter).

Sometimes Time is King

I’m sure most people have had a photography session scheduled around “golden hour”. This is that golden glow light that happens right before sunset (which is very flattering and beautiful!). I know some photographers that would/will only schedule at golden hour. However, there is definitely more of a trend push towards mid-day or direct light photography now. In other words, working with your photographer to find a location that you could schedule your session at 1:00 (in between kids naps). I am going to list golden hour times for different months, just because it may be something you want to look at/consider. I think it’s really important to share if you have favorite photos (from that photographer that you are inquiring with or booking) so they know what you are drawn to when you are hashing out session details like date/time. Some photographers always shoot in the same kind of light, so their portfolio may look pretty similar with each session/family. However, other photographers may have a lot of variety. Be sure to share what times you think will work best for your kids. Some kids have very little flexibility in holding it together if it is almost bedtime!

Time is King, continued. Golden Hour Times by Month!

Golden Hour Times (approximate taken at mid-month) by month in Iowa City, IA

• January: morning: 7:15 am; evening: 4:00 pm (either at home or on location-library, coffee shop etc; or winter fun sessions work best)
• February: morning: 6:50 am; evening: 4:40 pm (same as Jan)
• March: morning: 7:10 am; evening: 6:15 pm (spring can be a nice time for younger kids and working parents if you want golden hour)
• April: morning: 6:15 am; evening: 6:50 pm
• May: morning: 5:30 am; evening: 7:20 pm
• June: morning: 5:20 am; evening: 7:40 pm (see below)
• July: morning: 5:30 am; evening: 7:40 pm (pretty late for most families, so consider just embracing the sunshine-full on summer mode-can even include hats/sunglasses when outdoors, then find shady spots for portraits etc)
• August: morning: 6:05 am; evening: 7:10 pm (works for some families-can shoot a little earlier and get more full fun/bright vibe or pick shady spot)
• September: morning: 6:30 am; evening: 6:25 pm
• October: morning: 7:00 am; evening: 5:35 pm
• November: morning:

Consider the Vibes (of each time of year)

• Do you love comfy cozy sweater season? (I personally love the concept of hygge and totally appreciate that aesthetic). Even if enjoying coziness means staying indoors, lets schedule an indoor session. Coziness + togetherness can be such a fun concept. Maybe you have a fireplace and you want to play board games together or play music together…
• Do your kids thrive in warm weather? Do they love soaking up the sun and heat? Love running around barefeet in the yard, giggling as they run through the sprinkler?
• Do you and your children/family love to garden and pick flowers?
• Is your fave season Fall and everything about it? Apple picking, pumpkin patches etc
• Do your kids love sledding, skiing and making snowmen?

Consider Colors/Backgrounds for outdoor photos

• Later spring brings bright greens, vs earlier spring the grass can still be a little dead-ish
• Summer in Iowa brings lush green hills, and oftentimes beautiful blue skies and sunsets
• For optimal fall foliage, usually the 3rd week of October is ideal (and oftentimes when I schedule at least one round of minis)
• Even in early spring or late fall (or winter), there can be locations that still have tall prairie grass that can add texture. Wooded areas can also add some texture/background to your photos.

Do you have any family milestones?

This is a relatively quick one to consider, but could be important. Is there a new family member joining the mix? (including a fur baby) Is anyone having a milestone birthday? Are any of you little ones hitting important development milestones i.e. starting to walk? Do you want to book an extended family session to gift to grandma or grandpa?

The take home is that you don’t have to always default to Fall for scheduling your fall family photos. Is Fall great? Of course. But other seasons may offer a lot of pros or benefits that you haven’t even considered before. Annnnnd I must say I just love capturing families at home and we can do that anytime of year (bonus!). If you happen to be looking for a photographer in Iowa City, I happen to be one. Would love to hear from you. Reach out here.