Lifestyle photographer| Clovis|Best time of year to do family photos

Best time of year to do family photos 

When considering the best time of year for your family photos, there are a few things you should keep in mind and consider before booking. Most of my clients are returning families who seek annual family portraits. This means they usually come in around the same time of year they previously booked me for. Families with older children generally stick to summers for family portraits. Families with younger children stick to fall and spring. Here are a few guidelines that I go by that will help you when booking your next photo session.

How soon do you need the photos?

Before booking your photo session, you need to consider how soon you are looking to receive the photos. Every photographer is different and has a different schedule, so you must contact them with your ideal date at least one month before. This will give you an idea of what date to select. With this being said, ask your photographer how long their turnaround time is when booking them for a session. Every photographer has a different turnaround time, so you must ask beforehand to avoid unfortunate situations. 

 

Consider your ideal location.

It is also essential that you consider your ideal location. For example, if you're looking forward to taking beach photos, the perfect time to book your session is during the summer, late spring, or early fall. This being said, the beach tends to be cold and very windy during the late fall and wintertime. To avoid you and your family feeling uncomfortable, booking a beach session for the summer is ideal. The same idea applies to desert or highland locations; it is best to book a session at these locations during fall or spring as the temperatures tend to be cooler rather than booking in the summer when temperatures are very high.

What are you planning on using your photos for?

Photos can be used for a number of reasons. You can use them for an upcoming birthday invitation or holiday card. You should probably reach out to your photographer in advance to confirm a date to ensure you receive your photos in time for your invitations or holiday cards. This is especially important for holiday cards. Speaking for myself, the holidays are my busy season. I'd start booking for holiday photo sessions in August, so if you're reaching out in November, odds are there won't be a date available for you, so booking early for the situation is ideal.

Photographer specials 

Photographer specials are something lots of clients need to be made aware of. If you're unfamiliar with the term mini sessions, it is often a shorter version of an entire photography session at a discounted price. Photographers like myself like to offer these for a limited time year-round. I like to remind my clients to sign up for newsletters. This way, they know when to book mini-sessions or other promotions I'm offering. If you're on a budget and want quick family photos that won't break the bank look out for these promotions.

I hope these guidelines and tips helped you have a better understanding when deciding the ideal time of the year to book your sessions. My personal favorites are fall family photos and holiday family photos. This is because the weather is more relaxed and the wardrobe is my favorite. If you have questions about booking a session with me, click the contact button below.