As it finally begins to warm up and Midwesterners everywhere begin to climb out of hibernation, my phone begins to get text inquiries and my inbox begins to have substantially more emails from clients ready to book their annual family portrait session. But when is the best time for photos? There is not really a right or wrong answer to that question, but I thought I’d take a moment to sift through the pros and cons of the seasons with how it relates to Lake County portrait sessions.

First up is Spring:
We are all so happy to be outside again and the flowers are beautiful. Colors are soft and mosquitoes have not yet swarmed. The downfall can be unpredictable weather temperatures and rain as well as trees that have not yet bloomed. Lush green grass with dead looking trees is not my favorite look. Sometimes I’ll shoot outdoors this time of year while avoiding trees (or at least treetops). It is a great time of year for front porch sessions or lifestyle sessions too. I often wait until very late April or early May to schedule outdoor sessions.

Then Comes Summer:

Summer is my personal favorite. Everything is vividly green and wildflowers bloom. We can do evening sessions before the sunset for gorgeous light. Mosquitoes and ticks can be an issue, but we do spray for them here on the MIA ink. grounds.

Fall in Lake County:
Fall is so pretty here. It definitely books up the fastest for me as everyone remembers that they want an updated portrait for holiday cards. The pros are cooler temps and the option to layer textures and outfits. Fall foliage is beautiful when we get lucky, but can be very hit or miss. Weather can get cold quick (anyone else thinking about trick-or-treating in a foot of snow a few years ago). I’d recommend booking before Halloween. Rain can also be a concern, so flexibility in rescheduling is a must this time of year.

Winter Sessions:
Winter sessions are underrated. They are not always great for toddlers, but snow is a beautiful backdrop and the layering of fun hats, coats and mittens can make photos really interesting. Obviously the cons are the cold and the question of whether we will have fresh snow or not.

One last thing to consider before you book your session: Consider where you want to display your photos once we take them. If your house is light, bright and airy, spring colors might look better hanging on your walls then warm fall ones. Your house can also guide your clothing choices, which I am always happy to help with too. More on that in another post soon.

Check out MIAink.com for more seasonal samples or reach out to book a session. 🙂