When is the Best Time of Year for Family Photos in Tampa?
Scheduling a photoshoot for your family requires some advance planning so knowing the best time of year to have photos taken can eliminate some of the stress from the experience. Fortunately, family photos in Tampa can take place all year long! Because we have such beautiful weather for most of the year (and we can schedule indoor sessions for when it’s hot), we have a lot of flexibility depending on what kind of session you want. Keep reading to find out when to schedule YOUR session!
When is the Best Time for Photography Outside?
Tampa (like most of Florida) is known for its mild winters, but the fall and spring can be really temperate too, depending on the year! The summer heat usually starts cooling off in October and it doesn’t start to get hot again until the end of April, which leaves you with almost seven months of gorgeous temperatures and sunny skies. So depending on what kind of a session you want, you have lots of options:
Beach sessions are honestly perfect any time of year! In the fall, winter and spring, the temperatures are cooler and there is less of a chance of an afternoon thunderstorm. Your biggest challenge for these sessions is working around the large number of tourists that visit during that time. One work-around I’ve found is to photograph sessions on weeknights (versus the weekend) and choose beaches that are more popular with residents than tourists. In the summer, beach sessions can be a great option after the evening storms have come through, especially if you and your family want to splash around a little in the waves to cool off.
Sessions at my favorite grassy field in Odessa are best during the cooler months. Because the field is part of a buffer preserve for a wetland in the area, it is 100% natural Florida! The cooler months are not only more comfortable temperature-wise, they also have fewer mosquitos and other critters. In addition, the sunsets in this location are incredible so waiting until the cooler months means less of a chance we will get rained out due to a thunderstorm, since the field can get a little muddy. Summer morning sessions at this location are always an option though, if you don’t mind a few bugs.
Downtown Tampa is a great option year-round! Sunday mornings and weekday evenings are my favorite times for sessions here, since there are fewer people around. There’s lots of green space to play and a beautiful riverwalk to explore so it’s perfect for families.
These are just a few of the location options for outdoor family sessions in the Tampa area and I’m always open to learning about your family’s favorite place to see if we can include that in your next session!
When is the Best Time for a Family Photoshoot at Home?
A family photoshoot at home can be photographed year-round but I’ve found that the summer months are great for these! The days are longer and the sun is brighter so getting enough light into your home isn’t as much of an issue. Plus, there are some days when it’s just too hot to be outside but you still want to capture those memories. So if you’ve been thinking about an in-home session, where we plan your “perfect day” and I photograph it, consider summertime for this session!
Of course, newborn sessions can’t be timed that way. No matter what time of year you schedule your newborn session, we will work together beforehand to determine which rooms you want to use for your session and plan your session for when those rooms have the best light.
So when is the best time of year for family photos?
Whenever you want!! Depending on what kind of session you want to schedule, there are several options for every season. I will work with you from the very beginning, helping you decide on location and time of day, depending on what works best for your family. From there, you will get guidance on everything from what to wear as well as what to expect at your session and so much more. I’m with you every step of the way!
There’s no reason to wait to schedule your session! Drop me a line and let’s get started!!