Fall photos happen in fall. Planning them shouldn't.
It might still be hot outside and fall may feel forever away, but now is actually the time to start thinking about your fall family photos in Charleston. Fall is one of the busiest times of year for photographers, families, and honestly, everyone. Between school, sports, weddings, fall events, and the holidays sneaking up right behind it, calendars fill up fast.
Booking early doesn't mean you need to have your outfits picked out or know exactly where you want to go yet. It just means setting aside a date for your family before everyone's schedules get crazy. We can figure out all the fun details later.
And if you're hoping for both updated fall family photos and Christmas photos this year, planning ahead gives you plenty of time for both without trying to squeeze everything into November and December.
Fall Dates Fill Up Fast
By the end of a Charleston summer, I think we are ALL over the heat. And yes, I know it might not actually get cold here until November, but as soon as that first little chilly breeze hits, every mom has the same thought: we can finally take family photos without dripping in sweat.
Bring on the cozy sweaters, layered outfits for the guys, cute boots, and all the fall colors.
And that's exactly when everyone starts thinking about booking photos at the same time.
Fall is one of the busiest times of year for family photographers in Charleston, so sunset sessions and weekends can fill up quickly. Waiting until October to start looking for an October date might mean having very limited options, or finding out your photographer is already booked.
Booking early gives you a much better chance of getting the date and time you actually want. You don't have to take the photos yet. You just want your spot on the calendar before that first cool day reminds everyone else to do the same thing.
Your Family's Schedule Fills Up Too
Fall is busy for everyone, and photographers are no exception! It's wedding season, one of the busiest times of year for family sessions, and I'm also trying to enjoy all the fun parts of fall with my own family. Between birthdays, new babies in the family, weddings, and all the fall events we look forward to, my calendar fills up with more than just photo sessions.
And I'm sure your calendar looks pretty similar. School is back in full swing, sports are happening, weekends fill up with birthday parties, weddings, pumpkin patches, festivals, family plans, and before you know it, the holidays are right around the corner.
That's why I recommend getting your fall photos on the calendar early. Pick a date, block it off, and make that evening family time.
And don't automatically rule out weekdays! A weekday afternoon or evening can actually be one of my favorite times for fall family photos. Popular Charleston parks and photo locations get BUSY on fall weekends with photographers, events, and everyone else enjoying the cooler weather. Weekdays can give us a little more space to explore, play, and enjoy your session without quite as many people around.
Give Yourself Plenty of Time Before the Holidays
If you're planning to use your fall family photos for Christmas cards or gifts, getting them done earlier gives you plenty of time to get your gallery back, choose your favorites, order your cards, and actually get them mailed before Christmas. No rushing to order everything at the last minute in December.
And if you're someone who wants both fall family photos and Christmas photos, that's even more reason to plan ahead! You don't have to choose between the two.
Schedule your regular family session earlier in the fall for those timeless photos you can keep on your walls year-round, then come back for something completely different for Christmas. My Christmas minis this year are November 7, which gives you some space between the two sessions and still leaves plenty of time to get those festive photos back before the holiday rush.
Fall photos, Christmas cards, gifts, holiday plans... it all comes up a lot faster than we think. Getting the photos on the calendar now is one less thing you'll have to figure out later.
Book the Date, Then We'll Plan the Rest
You don't need to know exactly what everyone is wearing, where you want to go, or have every detail figured out before you book. That's where I come in.
Start by finding a date that works for your family and getting it on the calendar. From there, we'll plan everything together. I'll help you choose a location that fits the look and experience you want, you'll receive my Style Guide to help with outfits, and you're always welcome to send me outfit ideas if you want another opinion.
We have time to figure out the details. Booking early actually gives us more time to plan without rushing any of it.
So if you're already thinking, "We should probably get family photos this fall," that's enough to start. Let's get a date set aside, and we'll take it from there.
Fall will be here before we know it, and once that first cool Charleston evening finally arrives, everyone's going to be ready for family photos.
If fall photos are already on your mind, don't wait until your calendar (or mine!) is packed. Get your date set aside now, and we'll plan the rest together.
Ready to get your fall family photos on the calendar?
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