One of the most common questions I get from families planning their session is some version of: when should we do this? And while the honest answer is always “right now, before another year passes” – the real answer depends on what you’re going for, your family’s schedule, and what Northeast Florida light looks like at different times of year.
Here’s my completely candid take on each season.
Fall: the gold standard (and the most in-demand)
September, October and November are peak season for family photography in Jacksonville and St. Augustine for very good reason. The temperatures are starting to let up, the light is extraordinary, and the images have a warmth that photographs beautifully. Let’s not forget about the rush to get photos done in time for holiday cards!
The trade-off: my calendar fills up fast. Fall bookings open on September 1st this year and I’d encourage you to get on my email list so you’re first to know when spots open. Waiting until October to book an October session almost always means disappointment.
Best for: families who want the classic warm-toned, golden-light look. Holiday card timing. Anyone who runs warm and doesn’t love the summer heat.
Winter: underrated and often spectacular
December through February in Northeast Florida is not what most people picture when they think “winter.” Temperatures are mild (50s–70s most days), the light is clear and beautiful, and the beaches are quiet. Some of my most striking images have come from January sessions when the light sits low in the sky for most of the golden hour and produces an extraordinary quality.
The trade-off: it can be unpredictable. A cold front can roll through and make beach sessions way chillier than normal. Location flexibility helps, as well as some warm layers to have on hand just in case.
Best for: families who can’t handle summer heat. Anyone who wants a session without competing for beach space. Families who love a cleaner, cooler aesthetic.
Spring: beautiful light, short booking window
March through May offers some genuinely gorgeous conditions – comfortable temperatures, flowers in bloom, trees coming back to life, and golden hour light that’s long and warm. Spring sessions have a freshness and softness that’s distinct from the richer, moodier tones of fall – if you love that ethereal, garden-in-bloom aesthetic, spring is your season.
The trade-off: the booking window is short and fills quickly, partly because of spring break and Easter holidays. One thing worth noting – allergy season is real in Northeast Florida, so if anyone in your family is affected, this season may not be rigth for you.
Best for: families who missed fall. Maternity sessions. Anyone with a calmer spring schedule who loves a fresh, lush, slightly more ethereal look.
Summer: harder — but not impossible
I’ll be straightforward – outdoor sessions in July and August in Florida are not my favorite. The heat is brutal and evening thunderstorms are as predictable as me wanting coffee in the morning. Asking a family to be relaxed and beautiful while sweating through their outfits is a tall order. That said – it can absolutely be done, and done beautifully.
Pro-tip: keep your outfits lightweight and breathable, trust the timing (we shoot as close to sunset as possible so the temperature has a chance to break), and remember that beach breeze. It takes the edge off more than you’d expect, and there’s something genuinely stunning about a late summer evening on the Florida coast.
For families whose schedules simply don’t allow for other seasons, I also offer studio sessions as a summer alternative. Climate-controlled, gorgeous in a completely different way – more intimate and editorial – and not subject to heat or weather at all.
Best for: families visiting from out of town, those with summer-only availability, or anyone who prefers a studio aesthetic.
The best time to book is always sooner than you think. My calendar doesn’t wait, and neither does this season of your family’s life.
Want first access when fall booking opens on September 1st? Get on my email list and you’ll be the first to know. Or reach out now and let’s find the right season for your family.
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