The best time of year for family photos
/My clients often ask me '“When is the best time if year for family photos'?”
One of the wonderful things about family photography in the UK is we have very distinct seasons, so our world changes every few months. Admittedly the rain sometimes feels like it's a constant companion, but over the course of a year I surprisingly only have a handful of sessions rained off. And if we do get rained-off we just reschedule at no extra charge.
I spend a lot of time exploring the countryside around Peterborough and I've discovered a lot of great photography locations. Different places are better at different times of the year. Let's start our journey in the winter and move through the buffet of photographic delights that Peterborough's countryside has to offer throughout the year...
I keep my locations secret so we don’t end up with lots of photographers coming to the same place, but if you like the look of these photographs then get booked in and find out the best places near Peterborough to go for lovely family walks all year round.
Family photos in winter
Most people think this would be a bad time of year to have outdoor family portraits created, but it actually has several perks.
The biggest benefit is the sun never rises very high in the sky. This means you get beautiful golden sunlight all day long. Plus, you get sunsets at 4pm rather than 10pm, so the kids don't have to stay up lay for the best light.
Admittedly it's often cloudy in the winter, but cloud is actually fantastic for portrait photography too. It provides soft, flattering light that's not too harsh and doesn't cast nasty shadows on your face.
Cloud also means you don't have to be restricted to shady spots - you can have your portraits created anywhere and still have that nice, soft light that the clouds produce.
Of course you could always have the photographs in your home too which can work brilliantly, too.
And if you’re a relaxed parent then lots of fun can be had jumping in puddles…!
Family photos in spring
The spring brings us one of the best portrait locations in the whole year - bluebell woods. I know several around the Peterborough area - including some that most people don't know about so they're nice and quiet and secluded.
Bluebells don't just add a splash of colour, they also help to create depth in the photograph. I use my camera settings to help blur the bluebells in the foreground and background to give the images a lovely soft focus effect. Bluebells only last about a month from April to May.
In late May through to July the Foxgloves erupt into bloom and I know somewhere with a whole forest of them the size of a football pitch.
Family photos in the summer
This is one of the times of the year when the whole family has time to relax and be together without work or school commitments. This makes it the perfect time to finally get round to your family photographs. It's so easy to put them off, until it's too late.
In the summer I know a fantastic location for beautiful flowering meadows to add a lovely splash of colour.
Another classic summer location are wheat fields. The texture and shimmering waves of the wheat are a great way of adding extra depth, dynamism and flow to your family photographs.
Finally, if you’re a fun family that loves a laugh then check out the family food and water fight photographs below!
Family photos in the Autumn
This is one of the most popular times of the year for family portraits. The textures and colours coupled with the low golden sun we get in late Autumn make a great combination.
Plus, with Christmas not far away it means you can use the photographs as ideal presents. Particularly for those 'tricky to buy for' people!
Ultimately, a good family portrait photographer can create lovely images any time of the year. The important thing is that you get some created NOW because not only do children grow up fast, they’ll also never be the same again - so let’s capture this special time in their lives.
Photographs are the first thing most people would rescue from a fire because they get more and more precious over time. And don't worry, I'll make the session fun and you'll wonder why you didn't do it years ago.
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