When is the best time of year to have family pictures taken outdoors in spokane, washington?

The best time of year to have family pictures taken outdoors in Spokane, Washington is between the months of May and October. Of course you should take pictures when you feel inspired and ready to have pictures taken, but there are many reasons to have your pictures taken within this window of time.

WEATHER.

The first reason is that in Spokane May-October is the time of year with the most comfortable and predictable weather. Our climate can be a little intense in the upper left USA. Unexpected snowstorms in April happen, wind storms strike in Novemeber. You’ll have the best weather, most comfortable temperatures, and a much smaller chance of rain on your session date.

A couple of pro-tips:

If you have young children, schedule your sessions in May or September, because the sun goes down earlier and comes up later, giving you the opportunity to work around nap time and bedtime more easily.

If you’re worried about smoke, avoid July and August, that’s when the most wildfires burn and there is a chance there will be smoke in the background of your pictures. Spring is the absolute best time if you’re avoiding smoke, especially for health reasons.

LANDSCAPE

Consider the landscape that you want in your pictures, each month is completely different. May and June will have more flowers and greener landscapes, this is the time to get pictures with the gorgeous wildflowers that pop up around Spokane. July is when the landscape starts to dry up a bit and turn a little more brown, usually the wildflowers fade by then. August and September are going to give you the best fall vibes in color tones. October is when you will see the beloved “fall colors”. I actually don’t usually recommend trying to capture fall colors in your pictures though, they often clash with wardrobes and skin tones. Fall colors can also be very difficult to time right, there’s only about a five day window where everything is colorful, before the leaves fall and many of the small shrubs lose their leaves before the big trees turn colors. If your’e set on catching those fall colors, weeks 3-4 of October are usually the best time.

Pro-tip:

The “yellowness” of the sunlight shifts throughout the year. So if you want cooler toned photos, spring is your season. If you like a warmer look, fall is your season.

Consider the colors you’d like to see in your pictures when planning the time of year to have your photoshoot. Choosing colors that go well with the decor of your home will give you greater satisfaction if you have your photos printed and displayed.

PHOTOGRAPHER’S SCHEDULE

Many of the best photographers do not work outdoors after October, because of the weather, temperature and landscape. When planning your session, ask your photographer what months of the year that they schedule outdoor sessions and what time of year looks best with their editing style. All photographers are unique and we will all have a different answer for when is the best time of year for your pictures.

HOLIDAYS

One final reason to avoid having pictures taken outdoors in the winter months is the holidays. Photographers are often very busy trying to finish fall sessions during the winter months and around holidays. You’ll get better attention from your photographer if you book earlier in the season and avoid scheduling close to holidays. This will also allow you plenty of time to have pictures printed on Christmas cards and to ask your photographer for assistance with that if you need it.