What season and time of day are best for our outdoor photo shoots?
That's the big question, isn't it?! Of course, like any big question, it comes with a loaded answer...
It really depends. Outdoor photo shoots can be booked any time of year, but every season comes with it's pros and cons.
Summer pros
- It's beeeeaaaauuuutiful outside!
- The options for summer photo shoots are endless! The beach, barbecues in your yard, a picnic at the park, splash pads, water gun fights, watermelon, the cottage, ice cream cones...it's just such a fun and sentimental season.
Summer outfits! Shorts, dresses, sandals...I love summer clothing.
Summer cons
- It's wedding season, so my availability is more limited (book in advance or be open to weeknight sessions)
- It can be scorching hot outside
- The bugs can be a little bit terrible!
- In later summer things can start getting dry/brown
- The sun sets very late in the summer, which can be challenging when booking a shoot with young children (we can make it work with bedtime though, I promise!)
I love a summer photo shoot. Aside from the late sunset making timing with kids tricky, it's such a fantastic time of year for photos. As always, I recommend having your outdoor photos taken during the last hour of sunlight which would mean that I book most summer photo shoots starting somewhere in the 6:00-8:00pm range, depending on the exact date you chose (keeping in mind it's technically summer until mid September!).
Fall pros
- Just the prettiest season of all. Totally gorgeous and perfect.
- Sunset happens at a super reasonable time for making an evening photo shoot work with little ones.
- The clothing options are amazing.
- Fall photos are fantastic for holiday cards and gifts.
Fall cons
- It can be muddy and brown (specifically late October and November)
- The weather can surprise us! You may end up having your fall shoot on a day when it's 25C outside, or on a day when there's a fresh layer of snow on the ground.
- The unpredictable weather can make choosing outfits a challenge.
- If you're thinking that you love the idea of photos in the beautiful colours of Gatineau Park's autumn rhapsody...you're not alone! Pretty, colourful outdoor locations can be suuuper busy (but don't fret - I have some secret/special spots!)
- It's by far my busiest season - if you want a weekend time slot be sure to book well in advance (like, you'll want it in the books before the end of the August). If you can make weeknights work that usually opens things up a little!
Ok, so I think everyone can agree that fall is amazing for photos. As always, I recommend having your outdoor photos taken during the last hour of sunlight which would mean that I book most fall photo shoots starting somewhere in the 3:15-6:00pm range, depending on the exact date you choose.
Winter pros
- Totally underrated season for outdoor photos. It is absolutely gorgeous and the light is, by far, the best light of any season. A sunny winter day is pure photographic perfection.
- Super fun outdoor activities like building a snowman, sledding, an outdoor bonfire, drinking hot chocolate, snow shoeing, etc.. all make for the very very best photos.
- Bundling up in hats, coats, scarves and boots!
- It's a more unique photo shoot. Everyone has fall photos and they're awesome but...winter photos are something else!
- It's literally something to do (haha)...sometimes filling the time with children in the winter can be challenging!
- It's a slower season for photographers, so it's booking is usually a breeze.
- Sunset happens at a super reasonable time for making a sunset photo shoot work with little ones.
Winter cons
- Ok so...it's cold. In Ottawa that sometimes means VERY cold (if it's super cold we'll reschedule, don't worry!).
- Then, of course, sometimes it warms up and gets ugly and icy outside (again, an opportunity to reschedule).
I am not a winter person. I'm not someone who's into winter sports, I'm literally always cold, and I hate that the days are so short...so, when I rave about how much I love a winter shoot you know I'm being serious! As always, I recommend having your outdoor photos taken during the last hour of sunlight which would mean that I book most winter photo shoots starting somewhere in the 3:15-5:00pm range, depending on the exact date you chose.
Spring pros
- It's finally nice outside!
- All of the beautiful spring flowers and blossoming trees.
- The weather is nice and warm, without having to deal with scorching summer temps.
Spring cons
- The grass and trees are all pale green and not very lush yet...which isn't the prettiest for photos (specifically in early spring).
- It can be muddy and brown (also early spring).
- It's rainy and we may have to deal with rescheduling due to weather.
- If you're thinking that you love the idea of photos with the blooms at the arboretum or tulip festival...you're not alone! Pretty flowering locations will be very busy.
- Sunset starts getting later and later, which means out shoot will happen later.
- The bugs can be a little bit terrible!
Generally speaking, late spring (mid-May onward) will be better for outdoor photos...late winter/early spring tend to be so messy and brown that I would really advise against outdoor photos unless it's the only time that works for you. As always, I recommend having your outdoor photos taken during the last hour of sunlight which would mean that I book most spring photo shoots starting somewhere in the 7:30-8:00pm range, depending on the exact date you chose.