When is the best time to book my family session for 2023? • MD documentary photographer
It’s winter and you might not be in the mood to think about your next family session but not all seasons are created equal. Depending on what you’d like for your family, you might need to start planning now! Each photographer handles their booking a bit differently and some are busier than others. For everyone though, there are some prime dates like Saturdays or Fall.
2023 FAMILY SESSIONS: WHEN TO BOOK?
For sure, Saturdays are prime slots that book quickly. There is a maximum of 4 weekend dates per month. I like to keep Sundays off the books to have a backup day in case of inclement weather or sickness but to also have a day off and spend time with my family.
Keep in mind that the members of the Photo-fetti Club (my annual membership for past clients) have priority over my calendar and are the first to have access to it.
Family photos in Winter - December to March
Those months are the least popular times for photoshoots meaning you have much more flexibility for dates and hours. You could almost book last minute!
If you want a snowy family session, we can always move your date a bit and catch the kids having fun in the snow or pick a day when temperatures are less frigid.
Activities usually include some outdoor time but a good chunk of the session can be spent indoors too. Think of hot chocolate, a fireplace, board games, or puzzles.
The light is usually beautiful as the trees are bare and the sun is soft. If you would like a bit of a change for your family photos, Winter is a great time to do so. The turnover to get your photos is also quicker (2 weeks MAX!).
Spring 2023 family session - April to June
I consider Springtime in DC from April to June. This is when nature, people, and neighborhoods wake up again! Everybody’s itchy for more sun and warmth. It’s (cherry) blossom season and May is the first busy time of the year for photos.
I love when things pick up again and when the front yards are full of colorful tulips and daffodils. There’s also Valentine’s day, Saint Patrick’s day, Mother’s day (Sunday, May 14th, 2023!), and Memorial day weekend.
If your family has a tradition around those dates, contact me 4 weeks before your special day. The closer you get to June the busier it will be. My June dates are limited as I need to prep for our Summer in France so keep that in mind too.
Other options are weekdays, sunrise sessions, and late March/ early April sessions.
I am thinking of offering mini-sessions around mother’s day.
Summer sessions with Juliette Fradin Photography
Summers in DC are hot, humid, and brutal! That’s why I escape to France! Aha. I usually fly “home” right after the kids are out of school (mid-June) and come back early/mid-August. After a long time away, I miss my business and photographing families so you’ll get a rejuvenated me right off the plane (well… I usually wait a week to make sure I am covid-free and not at risk before resuming photoshoots).
Even though I am “away” I book sessions all summer long for when I get back. As the years pass, my schedule gets busy earlier and earlier. But, lucky you, the days are also longer, family rhythms are a bit more flex and I can have multiple family sessions in a day. Or on weekdays before school starts again.
And then rolls… September!
The most popular season for family photography in the DC area: Fall!
(September - November)
Temperatures are cooler, mosquitos are -almost- all gone, the colors are gorgeous, and the Holidays are around the corner. But getting a date in Autumn can be a challenge. So far I’ve not turned down anyone if they were a bit flexible. But I need days off in the calendar in case of reschedules. And to keep my sanity! For some reason, the kids usually have two 3-day weekends in October and I try to spend some time with the fam + slow down too!
As I said, members of the Photo-fetti Club have priority. I release my Fall calendar early/ mid-June and the prime October dates are usually gone before I know it. I then send an email to my mailing list mid-June and this is when you can snag a spot! Weekday evenings are also an option before daylight saving time (November 5th, 2023) if you can.
My turnover to send out galleries is 3 weeks in busy season. If you want to get black Friday deals for your Holiday cards or have your products on time for the Holidays, you need a session no later than October, Saturday 28th!
