August 17, 2026
One of the most common questions I get from families across the Plattsburgh and North Country area is: ‘When is the best time to schedule our family photos?’ The honest answer is that every season has something beautiful to offer — but they’re not all equal in terms of availability, demand, and what kind of images you’ll get. Here’s a breakdown of every season so you can make the choice that’s right for your family.
Why the Season Matters for Family Photos
The season affects everything: the light, the colors in your background, the temperature, and honestly — your family’s mood. A cold, rushed December session in wet weather produces very different images than a relaxed September evening with golden light and fall foliage. Knowing what each season offers helps you pick the one that matches what you’re hoping to create.
Spring Family Photos in Upstate New York
April and May bring fresh, bright greens, blooming trees, and soft light. Spring sessions have a hopeful, light-filled quality that’s beautiful for young families especially. The main thing to keep in mind is weather unpredictability — spring in the North Country can be rainy and cold, and we sometimes need flexibility with rescheduling. That said, when a spring session comes together, the images are stunning.
Summer Family Photos in Upstate New York
June through August offers the longest golden hours of the year — more flexibility in scheduling evening sessions, more warmth, and lush, full greenery. Lake Champlain sessions in summer are particularly beautiful. The main drawback is heat and bugs, which can make younger kids restless. I recommend scheduling summer sessions in the last 90 minutes before sunset to avoid the midday heat and get the best light.
Fall Family Photos Near Plattsburgh — The Most Popular Season
September and October are by far the most requested months of the year. And it’s easy to see why — the Adirondack foliage, the warm amber light, the crisp air that makes everyone feel alive. Fall family photos in Upstate New York are genuinely world-class. The downside is that fall books up faster than any other season. If you want October photos, I typically recommend booking no later than July.
Winter Family Photos in Upstate New York
Winter sessions are quieter, more intimate, and often deeply beautiful — especially after a snowfall. The North Country does snow well. Bare trees, white fields, soft gray skies. Families who embrace the cold and dress warmly often end up with some of the most unique images in my portfolio. Winter also tends to have the most calendar availability, so if you’re flexible on season, it’s a great option.
How Far in Advance Should You Book?
For fall sessions, I recommend booking 3–4 months in advance. For spring and summer, 6–8 weeks ahead is typically sufficient, though earlier is always better. Winter tends to have the most flexibility. Regardless of season, reach out early — once a date is claimed, it’s gone.
I always recommend having a backup season in mind. If your first choice is full, I’ll let you know what’s available and we can talk through the options. Sometimes the second choice ends up being the one you love most.
Yes — the backdrop, the light, and the overall mood shift dramatically across seasons. That’s part of what makes scheduling your session thoughtfully so worthwhile. Each season creates a genuinely different kind of photo.
It is. Fall fills faster than any other season — I’m usually fully booked for October by August. If fall foliage is something you really want in your photos, please don’t wait to reach out.
Warm, earthy tones work beautifully with fall foliage — cream, rust, olive, camel, burgundy, warm brown. Avoid matching head-to-toe in one color; coordinated but varied is the goal. Layers are your friend in fall both for style and for comfort as temperatures shift.
Ready to book your family session? Check my availability and let’s find your perfect season.
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