Spring vs. Fall | Why In-Home Sessions Are Beautiful Year-Round

As we say goodbye to summer and hello to fall, many family photographers find themselves entering their busy season. Fall is generally one of the most popular times of year for family portraits, with spring not far behind. It is easy to see why! There is something beautiful about fresh spring greenery, blooming flowers, and all those gorgeous fall colors decorating the trees. They make for a beautiful backdrop for family portraits. However, I think most will understand when I say the weather doesn’t always cooperate. There are so many variables to consider when planning an outdoor session. It could be too hot, rainy, or windy, or maybe the flowers aren’t blooming or the beautiful fall color you were hoping for isn’t happening. This is one of the many reasons I have fallen so in love with in-home family sessions, because they are beautiful year-round. You don’t have to wait for the perfect season or worry about what is going on outside. If you’ve been wanting family portraits and aren’t sure which season is best for you, maybe instead you consider an alternate route and head indoors!

Why In-Home Sessions Are Beautiful Year-Round

Don’t put off family photos because you’re waiting for spring or fall. You can document your family year-round in the comfort of your own home. An in-home lifestyle session allows me to capture your family exactly as they are in this particular chapter of life.

However, choosing an in-home session doesn’t mean we have to stay inside the entire time! If your kids love being outside, we can absolutely step into the backyard for a few portraits. We can capture them playing on the swing set, perusing the garden, or playing in a pile of leaves. The season isn’t excluded from the session, but it also doesn’t have to be the focus; your family should be the focus.

During a lifestyle family session we aren’t relying on the outdoor scenery to make your photographs beautiful. That means you don’t need to worry about what trees are looking like or whether your grass is fried from all the Texas heat. You can just enjoy the moment with your family as I capture your family’s connection to each other and your home. Your home becomes a part of the story not just a backdrop.

Home is where you live and where life happens. It is where your children feel safe enough to be completely themselves. On top of that, depending on the time of year, your home may even have a little seasonal personality of its own. There might be pumpkins your family carved on the porch during the fall, or your Christmas tree up in the background during the winter months, all of which adds a little special something to your gallery.

Henry’s First Birthday Session at Home

Sweet Henry’s first birthday session is such a perfect example of why I love this approach. His mom wanted to celebrate his first birthday at home, instead of simply choosing a pretty outdoor location. We spent time in Henry’s room and captured him doing things that represented him right now. Then we celebrated with a cake smash to end the session. The photographs are so perfect and feel so much more intimate because they aren’t just pictures of a one-year-old milestone; they are pictures of Henry at home enjoying all his favorite things. There is so much more meaning behind these photos.

Spring or Fall Session?

If you’re trying to decide between a spring or fall family session, maybe instead of focusing on what season is best, you capture your family as they are now regardless of the season and opt for an at-home session. We can still incorporate parts of a particular season you love, but the scheduling of your session won’t be dependent on the season or weather. Instead your session will simply focus on the love of your family and the home where memories are made.