Avoid Stress - When is the Best Time to Book Fall Family Photos?
Along with pumpkin spiced lattes, the smell of fall family photos also hangs in the air. Soon we'll all have to think about gifts for the family and holiday cards. Any Colorado family photographer will tell you, this is family photo season. It is the time when most families get their family portraits done. Summer vacations are done. And it's close enough that the kiddos will still look the same in holiday cards and holiday photos.
Since timing is of the essence around the holidays, I'm spending a few minutes today talking about it.
When should you book your fall family photos?
As I write this, it's already fall and September is about to turn to October. Normally, I am not one to be frantic, but I am going to be honest. You should've booked already. This is a photographer's busy time. And I just don't mean for family photos. September and October weddings are very popular in Colorado. And senior photos are all due during this time as well. So, in the future, book in August.
But not all hope is lost. Many photographers do still have availability. It might just take a bit more searching and mean being more flexible. Also, there are photographers like me that have rolling calendars. I only open my mini sessions slots 45 days out. That means sessions are available after the first initial booking rush.
When should you take your fall family photos?
Scheduling your family photos is a tricky thing. There are a few things you'll want to keep in mind:
1. Season
Do you want fall colors? Then you want to book in late September to early October. Mountain portrait spots will turn earlier than foothills and metro area spots.
One thing to keep in mind is that this is Colorado. We can get our first snow at any time, which causes fall colors to not last. The second we get a snow, the leaves do fall. So plan for fall colors, if you want them. But don't hold your breath and just know that your family photos will be beautiful no matter what.
2. Portrait Times, work, and bedtimes
If you haven't checked it out yet, I speak about this in detail in another blog post. It is best to not keep kiddos up past their bedtimes for portraits. The great thing about fall portraits is that they tend to be earlier. So they are perfect for families with earlier bedtimes. But do watch that it will still work with your work schedule. A lot of photographers will photograph on the weekends, but weekend slots tend to go fast. Also, weekday sessions mean more first choice spots for portraits. Weekends can be a zoo at portrait locations.
3. Holiday Cards and the USPS
If you're getting photos for use in holiday cards, make sure you're giving yourself enough time. Here are some holiday dates to remember:
Christmas:
- Always on December 25.
- Mail holiday cards in the first two weeks of December.
Hanukkah:
- 2024: Dec 25 - Jan 2 - mail holiday cards in the first two weeks of December
- 2025: Dec 14-Dec 22 - mail holiday cards in the third week of November
- 2026: Dec 4-Dec 12 - mail holiday in mid-November
Kwanzaa:
- Always Dec 26-Jan 1
- Mail holiday cards in the first two weeks of December
Editing takes time. So pay attention to your photographer's turn around time. And give yourself at least a week buffer. This is a just in case buffer. It also gives you time to make decisions about photo choices and designing cards and photo gifts.
Tip: Double check with the photographer about current turnaround times. Some photographers will have longer ones than normal during this time. Others will have shorter ones.
Too late to get family photos done for holiday cards?
Who cares?! You can always do New Years holiday cards or you can use photos you've taken yourself for those cards. But I wouldn't skip the annual family photos. Take them in December if you must. Honestly, that is often what I do, because I procrastinate during the holidays so much. I make it a point to get my family photos done regardless of if they will be ready for the holiday cards. My daughter grows up way too fast. Even as a family photographer myself, I don't get enough photos of her. And how often is there a photo of all us at once?
Still want to do the cards, but even too late for New Years? There's always Valentines...
Sara Herkes is a maternity, newborn, family, and senior photographer based in Longmont, CO. She serves the the Denver Metro Area, the Colorado Rockies, and the Northern Front Range and captures your pregnancy and family amidst the Colorado wilderness. Learn more about her services here.
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