Spring vs. Autumn: Picking the Best Season for Your Photo Shoot | Norman, Oklahoma and OKC Metro Portrait Photographer

Are you having trouble deciding if you would rather get your pictures taken in the fall or the spring? You’re not alone. There are so many elements to consider with both, and in this blog, we’re going to break down the most important things that will help you decide which season is best for you.

Here are a some of the things we’re going cover:

• Colors/tones,
• Weather, and
• Outfit choices.

These are just a few of the many topics we’re going to look at. Let’s jump right in!

Choosing seasons

Picking what season to get your pictures in may seem like a nonchalant decision, but it’s actually very important! Sometimes it may just be a matter of when you’re available or what fits best into everyone’s schedules, but if you have the chance to choose which season you prefer, I would encourage you to do so.

Spring and autumn have very distinctive features that will appeal to different people. Choosing the one that you like the most for your pictures not only helps better frame you and your personality, but will also make you love your final pictures even more. (While I hope that you would adore your pictures regardless of the season, the season you pick and your mood at the session will reflect in your final pictures.)

Some of the most obvious differences in spring and autumn concern things we can’t control, like what the weather entails, when the sun rises or sets, and how many plants are bloomed or changing colors. Other things to consider are sports (like OU Football or the OKC Thunder) and how these types of events impact photo shoot locations.

Your location and season will also impact how you dress. Oklahoma weather changes all the time, but generally, each season will require short or long sleeves and other similar outfit adjustments.

So, we’re going to look at both spring and autumn’s elements and what steps to take from there. First, let’s look at spring!

Spring

Spring is a wonderful time of year to get your pictures taken!

Throughout spring, your pictures will be full of bold colors, from the greens of thriving trees and grass, to vibrant flowers, and even to the warmth of your surroundings. The warmer weather, blooming foliage, and later sunsets are perks to take advantage of in spring.

With warmer weather also comes shorter sleeves, flowy dresses, and more. If you tend to love wearing or how you look in spring attire, this may just be the season for your photo shoot. Earlier spring will be cooler and may require slightly longer sleeves and close-toed shoes, but as we get further into the season, you’ll want to embrace the sunshine.

Your confidence and how comfortable you feel in your outfits will reflect in your final pictures, so be sure to dress accordingly!

High school and college grads will also love spring because they’ll have their cap and gown (and other cords, sashes, and accessories) ready for picture-taking. While not every graduate will want a ton of photos in their cap and gown, this is an important achievement to document and celebrate!

There are also many events to be aware of in the spring.

Thunder playoff games and other local/college sports heavily impact traffic and how busy some locations are, so you’ll probably want to avoid scheduling your session on the same day/time as one of these sports events. Other spring occasions will also impact your session location, including local prom nights, concerts, graduations, and more.

Another thing to be aware of is the weather. While weather impacts every shoot, spring brings higher chances of tornadoes, rain, and hotter weather later on in the season. When you find the perfect day for your session, however, it will be magical!

For spring grads, you’ll also want to see how long it will take to order and send out graduation announcements. This may seem like a small detail, but having enough time between your photo shoot date, receiving your final images, and ordering and sending announcements is important so they can get sent out on time.

The busy season for portrait photographers is generally around April-May and September-October/November. This means you should inquire at least a few weeks in advance because they may or may not have certain dates available.

Overall, spring may be busy, but if you love the colors, warm weather, and lighter outfits, you should consider getting your pictures then!

Autumn

Autumn is another fantastic option for your photo session!

Spring may have lots of blooms and warmer weather, but it’s also hard to beat the cool weather and fall colors in autumn. With the summer weather finally cooling down, sunsets arrive earlier and changing leaves reflect the golden hour light.

Cozy and warm outfits are great for your fall pictures. With the cooler weather, you’ll want to be sure and wear more layers, meaning longer sleeves and dresses, scarves, and more so you can stay warm while still being fashionable.

I’ve written blogs on what senior graduates and families should wear for their photo shoot, including tips for layering and choosing styles for both the spring and autumn. Be sure to check those out for more guidance on outfits!

While you’re enjoying the nice weather, you’ll also appreciate less bugs at your location. While spring has good and bad insects alike, having fewer mosquitoes in the fall is a major bonus.

Autumn also means it’s the last few weeks of class for December graduates! High school and college grads have a great opportunity with their fall pictures, both from getting their pictures done earlier in the season to taking advantage of the nice weather and colors. While college grads will want photos with their cap and gown, high school grads won’t have to worry about their gowns until the spring.

Just like the spring, autumn is filled with events and things to be aware of before scheduling your photo shoot. In Norman, OU Football game days are ones you want to avoid being on campus for. Thunder games start back up in the middle of October as well.

It’s also important to remember the major holidays happening in the fall/early winter. Thanksgiving and Christmas are busy times of the year, and your photographer is going to be busy as well.

If you’re wanting to get your pictures taken in time to send out Christmas cards or graduation announcements, I would recommend scheduling a session before these major holidays.

Even though there will be cool weather in the fall, Oklahoma weather remains unpredictable and can also bring extreme cold or wind. Like the spring, keeping an eye on the weather and wearing appropriate clothing are good rules of thumb.

Despite some chilly weather and busy game days, fall is still an amazing season for picture-taking. If you love the cool weather, leaves changing colors, and warmer outfits, autumn may be the best season for your photo session!

What to do next

Spring and autumn have their advantages and disadvantages for photo sessions, and everyone will have their own preference for pictures. All of the elements described in this blog are impactful for your shoot, but whichever season you choose will look stunning.

At any time of the year, getting your pictures taken shouldn’t be a stressful process. Instead, it’s a time to capture special moments in your life, whether it’s with your family, as a couple, or celebrating a great achievement. Being prepared in whichever season you choose for your session will lead to a smoother and more fun experience overall.

Are you ready to book your photo session? Inquire now on my contact form! And if you’d like to see more examples of spring and autumn photo sessions, you can find those on the blog and my portfolio.