When Should You Take Family Photos for Holiday Cards?
Can you believe it’s already fall and we’re almost in the fourth quarter of the year? This is the time of year when parents everywhere start to panic a little bit, thinking about everything they have to do before the fall and winter holidays that are fast approaching. That’s especially true for things that take a lot of pre-planning, like photo Christmas cards or holiday cards.
So that begs the question, if you want photos taken for your holiday cards, when should you have your family photos taken? As a Seattle area photographer who has helped countless families get the perfect portraits for their cards, I’m happy to help!
When Is the Best Time to Take Family Photos for Holiday Cards?
Generally, it’s best to have your family’s photos taken in the earlier part of fall, like October or even late September. This allows time for each step of the process:
Having your photos taken (and having a little wiggle room in case something happens that forces you to reschedule, like someone in the family gets sick)
Editing
Choosing your final images
Receiving your final images - both the digital files and the custom artwork you’ve chosen to display in your home, because your family photos should be displayed in a way you can enjoy for years
Preparing your custom card order with your photos
Printing and shipping of your cards
Addressing and sending out your cards
That’s a lot to get done, and none of us wants to be rushing at the last minute when you want to be enjoying the holiday season with your kids, so having your photo shoot in the fall will make your life much easier in the long run.
Can You Really Take Christmas or Winter-Themed Photos in the Fall?
The short answer is yes! It might not look like winter outside yet, but whether we take your portraits outside or in my Mercer Island photography studio, I can craft a beautiful look that will look perfect on your Christmas cards.
How Should We Prepare for Family Photos for Christmas Cards?
If you’re planning for your photo shoot for your family’s holiday card photos, don’t worry, I’ll walk you through the whole process. Once you’ve booked your session, we’ll have a private consultation to discuss all the details. We’ll talk about what you want your portraits to look like and what color scheme will be best, choose a location, and even plan your family’s wardrobe.
I’ll also make sure to plan your session so that you’ll get portraits that you can proudly enjoy displayed in your home, not just seasonal photos. After all, it can take a lot of coordination to plan a family photo shoot, so why not take full advantage of the opportunity and get so much more than holiday cards?
If you don’t have your session scheduled yet but you want to get the ball rolling, contact Jaimié Birtel Photography to book your photo shoot.