Best Time To Take Photos

If you’re planning a photoshoot, you may be wondering: When’s the best time to take photos?

Granted, you may mean one of two things when you ask this question:

• What time of day should you plan on having your photos taken?
• What time of year is ideal for scheduling a photoshoot?

When it comes to considering seasons of the year and scheduling portrait photography, the Chattanooga area where I live is a beautiful setting during every season of the year. However, each season comes with with its own benefits and challenges. The same is true if your considering the best time of day to take photos.

One Important Factor to Consider First:

Before we dive into considerations for each season, I think there’s one big question to consider before scheduling your outdoor session: What are you wanting to do with your portraits? Specifically, if you are planning on using your images for wall art, it’s important to consider the colors of the room you are decorating.

I have personally made the mistake of not considering my decor when choosing portraits. When filling the built-ins of my living room, I printed a variety of portraits of my children. I included an 8×10 print of my daughters from last spring in front of a bright pink blooming cherry tree. It’s one of my favorite images of them, but as soon as I placed it on the shelf, I realized it just didn’t fit the room. While the room is largely neutral, our rug brings in accents of warm tones like burgundy that totally clashed with the bright pink tree in the backdrop of the portrait. I’ll be finding a new location for that piece of art. Don’t make my mistake! As you consider when to schedule your next session, take a close look at the decor of your home.

TL/DR: When’s the Best Time To Take Photos:

If you’re looking for a short answer about the best time to take photos, here you go:

• The golden hours (1 hour after sunrise and 1 hour before sunset) provide the most flattering, glowy light for portraits. But your photographer should be skilled in identifying flattering light, which can certainly be done outside these hours. Follow their lead.
• In my area, Fall is most certainly the most popular season for portrait sessions. However, late spring and early summer have a lot of benefits too!
• Winter is not the prettiest season in our area. Your photographer would need to be picky about locations.

Spring Photography

I’ll be honest, Spring is one of my favorite times for portrait sessions. There are so may beautiful, blooming plants that make an appearance during this season and can provide a truly magical, whimsical backdrop. You can find my list of favorite blooms here. The sun generally sets at a reasonable hour, which can be helpful if you have younger children (I generally schedule outdoor sessions in the hour before sunset). However, the weather can be rather unpredictable. March temperatures and swing from freezing to warm within a matter of days. Thunderstorms and rainy days are a frequent occurrence. I make it a rule to schedule a limited number of outdoor sessions each month so that there is plenty of room if the weather forces a reschedule.

Summer Photography

The landscape comes alive during the summer. Everything is green and bright. We get plenty of sunshine with usually brief pop up thunderstorms. However, it gets hot and humid in my area. During these warm summer months, I do my best to keep my subjects in the shade and bring a long lots of hairspray to combat the frizzy hair the humidity inspires. Early morning sessions are a great option during the height of summer, especially considering that the sun does not set until close to 9PM.

Fall Photography

Fall is by far the most popular time for family portraits in my area. It is honestly one of the best times to take photos. The weather is mild, the fall colors are lovely, and everyone is preparing for their holiday cards.

If this is when you want a session, it’s wise to schedule early. I often send out my slots in late summer and they go quickly. (You can join my email list here.)

The fall leaves in my area usually hit their peak between the last week of October and first week of November. However, this can vary. Usually pockets of pretty colors can be found even into the second and third week of November. Our in Tennessee temperatures typically remain warm and mild through October. The deeper we get into the fall, the changes of cold snaps increase. Keep in mind that fall in your area my peak at a different time!

Winter Photography

Winter tends to be least popular season in my area for photography sessions, but don’t forget that it has its own, neutral beauty. It’s not a lost cause. This is a great time to photography is golden grasses or downtown streets like near Coolidge Park. While there are plenty of freezing weeks, there are also weeks that the temperatures climb into the upper 50’s and even low 60’s in my area.

If you are ever interested in a snowy session, know that as long as the roads are safe, I’m game! (I’m totally jealous of areas that consistently get magical snow in the winter.)

What actual “Time” is the best time to take photos?

I get it, you may be thinking, “Um, Kelley? I’m more wondering what acutal time is best for taking photos.”

Don’t worry! I’ve got you! But first, let me specify that if you aren’t booking with me specifically, I’d highly encourage you to have this discussion with your chosen photographer. A professional photographer should have an established style and approach to lighting. As a result, they will have a preferred time for starting a photoshoot with the location in mind.

Personally, my favorite outdoor light on sunny days is in the golden hours. The golden hours are the one (some stretch it to two) hours after sunset and before sunrise. They happen twice a day. The light during these times is even, glowy, and magical for portraits. If it’s a cloudy day, I prefer to bump my time a little further away from sunrise/sunset to ensure we have enough light. I reference time tables like this one all the time.

However, know that location has a lot to do with timing! I also like shooting in open shade. Therefore, if the area has plenty of shade from tall buildings, big trees, or the front of your house, I may opt to schedule at a different time in the day.

In general, I try to avoid the middle of the day when the sun is highest in the sky. This type of lighting in an open area and look really harsh and cause unflattering shadows on your face: raccoon eyes.

Schedule with me and I’ll guided you to the best time to take photos!

I love scheduling outdoor photography sessions throughout the year, even if some sessions require a little more flexibility. To learn more about scheduling a session with me, click here. You can see more of my family photography portfolio here. Here’s a link to my maternity portfolio. I also provide senior portraits and headshots. Let’s chat!