The Best Time to Book Your Family Photography Session in San Diego

Aug 21

Parents often ask me, “What’s the best season to get our family photos done?” My answer to this question is usually, “Any season works in San Diego!” Luckily, our weather here is not as “season-y” (very technical term!) as it is in other parts of the country, and we can take beautiful family photos here at any time of the year.

Here are some things to consider for each season:

Winter Family Photos (January - March)
We’re so lucky that winter is mild here in San Diego. I love doing beach sessions in the winter because the golden hour light is absolutely gorgeous, beaches are much less crowded, and golden hour (one hour prior to sunset) is nice and early, so it doesn’t conflict with bedtimes for young kids. We might have some rain at this time of year (which I will never complain about in California), but not so much that we can’t work around it.

Spring Family Photos (April - June)
I love spring because nature starts to bloom. All of my favorite outdoor locations are green and full of flowers. The only downfall to spring photos in San Diego is the potential for May Gray, especially near the coast — but it’s nothing we can’t make work (and cloudy skies often make for gorgeous photos!). Inland areas are often nice and sunny, but not too hot, this time of year.

Summer Family Photos (July - September)
I love doing summer sessions in San Diego because this time of year feels much more mellow. Kids are out of school and schedules feel a bit more relaxed. Sunset is later this time of year, so it can feel special and fun for kids who get to stay up later than usual. If your family wants a beach session, I recommend waiting until August / September (locals summer!) when tourists have gone home and beaches are less crowded. (If you’re vacationing in San Diego, we can absolutely shoot a summer beach session!)

Fall Family Photos (October - December)
Fall is typically the most popular (and busiest!) time of the year for family photography sessions. It feels natural to get your photos right before the holidays, especially for families that send out holiday cards each year. Fall is great because the weather is starting to cool off (let’s be honest, still pretty warm in October), sunset is earlier, and the light is typically beautiful. If you’re in the market for fall photos, make sure you book early!