Picture this, you’ve *just* made it through the holidays and it’s the dead of Winter in Boston. Your family session from last year is still fresh on your brain from the holiday cards you sent out. It’s time to book your 2021 session! Wait, what? The truth of the matter is that the ideal booking window varies from photographer to photographer. However, for busy photographers, prime dates (weekends, in-season) book further in advance than you’d think! So when should you book your 2021 family session with Lyndsay Hannah Photography?

2021 Family Sessions: When To Book?

The answer varies widely season to season so let’s break them down individually. When we chat about each season, keep in mind that each month only has (usually) four weekend dates. I hold Sunday evening for my Saturday evening clients for rain dates so those prime slots go very quickly.

When Should I Book my Winter Family Photos?

Winter in Boston is typically the least popular time for photoshoots. If you’re hoping to book an outdoor snowy 2021 family session, you’re in luck! The months of January – March are the most flexible in terms of dates and you can usually snag a prime date a couple weeks out. The nice thing about doing a Winter session is that I have the flexibility to finagle your session around as much as we can to capture a more mild Winter day (and hopefully some snow!).

How Far in Advance Should I book my Spring 2021 Family Session?

Springtime is the great awakening in Greater Boston. After a cold and snowy Winter, everyone is anxious to soak up the sunshine and Spring blooms. By January, most weekend sunset dates are gone for prime Spring dates. I know, it’s hard to think about booking an outdoor family session when we are snowed in. However, if you’re thinking that you’d like a “Prime Spring Date”, it’s necessary to book by January.

What do I consider a “Prime Spring Date”?

• A weekend Sunset Session between mid April and June.

This doesn’t mean you’re totally out of luck for Spring if you haven’t booked your session by January. What it means is that you may need to consider second-most-popular dates.

• Secondary Dates: weeknight evenings, sunrise weekend sessions, late March/early April options.

Summer Session Booking Details

July and August weekend dates tend to be fully booked by the time Springtime arrives. It’s a popular time of year for family photos because everyone’s schedules are a little more flexible and school/sports have ended. If you’re hoping to score a weekend evening, I’d recommend booking by April. Three months in advance is a good general rule of thumb!

If you don’t know your family vacation schedule that far in advance, don’t despair! One of the great things about the later sunset times in the Summer is that sessions begin around 6:30/7pm which allows most people to make a weeknight session after work manageable.

Drumroll…..the Most Popular Season in Boston: But When Should I Snag an Autumn 2021 Family Session??

Ahhh Autumn. The season every family photographer in Boston has a love-hate relationship with! Just kidding….I really do love Autumn. BUTTTT getting a date in Autumn can be really cutthroat and stressful as it is the most popular timeframe for a reason! The temperatures are cool and crisp, the colors are gorgeous, the sunset is early enough for young kids. What’s not to love?

Every photographer handles their bookings a little bit differently. I release Autumn Dates in the Spring (*usually in May*) to my mailing list first. To secure a weekend sunset session from September- mid November I would recommend booking the day that bookings open. I know it feels very odd to be thinking about booking an Autumn session in May but if you wait, you likely won’t get a weekend date.

Still want an Autumn date but can’t commit this far in advance? Weeknight evenings and weekend sunrise sessions can generally still be booked through the end of August.

What If I Want to Book a Newborn Session?

Newborn sessions are not competing for the same time slots as family sessions. They generally take place inside your home, mid-morning. If you’re interested in an outdoor sunset newborn session, all the same tips above apply. For more traditional sessions, be sure to book around 3 months in advance for a weekend date, regardless of season.