Fall Family Photos - When Should I Book My Maryland Fall Session?
As a Maryland family photographer, one question I hear a lot is when should I book my session for fall family photos? Fall is by far the most popular season for family photographs so the easy answer is, the sooner the better.
Why are fall family photos so popular?
Fall is a wonderful time to schedule a family photoshoot for so many reasons. First, you have all the colors of fall. The color of the changing leaves are a wonderful backdrop for any family photography session. Fall is also a time when temperatures are milder, cool and crisp, and are more comfortable for everyone to enjoy. One of the biggest reasons why fall is so popular is that families are getting ready for the holiday season. Fall is the perfect time to get an updated photo of the family to use with holiday cards and holiday gifts.
When should you book your session?
Since most families wait until the fall to book a session, fall can get really busy and your favorite photographer may book up quickly. Most photographers book their fall calendars at least one to three months in advance. Some photographers may even book as far in advance as six months to a year. If you have a favorite photographer that you want to work with, contact them as soon as possible. This way you can find out their availability and learn how they book out their calendar. Some photographers book sessions as they come and others release all their dates at a certain time during the year. Early communication with your photographer is key to getting the reservation you want.
Late summer as an alternative
What if your photographer has already booked out their calendar, what can you do now? An alternative may actually be a session that’s a bit earlier. Depending on how far in advance you contact them, your photographer may still have availability for late summer. Some families avoid summer because of the heat, late sunset times and family vacations. If you don’t mind the heat, this time of the year might work for you. Ask your photographer if they still have some openings in their calendar for late summer if they’ve already booked up their fall calendar.
Winter is great for a session too!
If you don’t plan on using your images for holiday cards and you want to avoid the fall rush all together, you should definitely consider a winter family session. While you may miss the changing colors on the leaves, depending on the year the leaves may not entirely drop before fall ends. Even if leaves have fallen, they can still provide color for your session even on the ground. The temperatures may be a bit colder but with the way winter has been over the past few years, it may not be so cold that a session is impossible. So if you want to avoid the fall rush entirely and you enjoy cold weather, winter may be the perfect time for you.
Remember, book as early as possible!
Don’t forget that fall is a popular time for family photography. Make sure you book your session early if you want first choice on dates. If you don’t get the exact dates you want and have some flexibility, there are still some great alternatives for you to try. At the end of the day, what matters is that you and your family have fun during your session, no matter what time of year it is.
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