Creating Photos in Every Season - A Quick Guide to Climate in the Tennessee Valley

Living in a place with real seasons is kind of tricky when you work outdoors. It’s especially difficult for me because I like to set consistent expectations for my clients- but the weather is rarely consistent! One trick I’ve learned is to set expectations based on the climate instead of the fickle weather. Climate predications are a lot more dependable and it’s a great starting point for planning your family photos. For example, if you want waterfall photos, you might want to schedule a session in May- the end of the rainy season and the start of climbing temperatures. If you want fall photos, there is only a 2-3 week peak of fall foliage so schedule ahead if you can! I’ll break it all down for you so you can map out the best season for your family photos this year.

Spring: March - May

What to Expect in the Spring

The spring in the South is characterize by rolling green hills. If you know where to go, you can find cherry blossoms and apply blossoms in the early spring months. In the later spring months, you can find beautiful fields of yellow and white wildflowers. The spring is probably my favorite season to shoot in because it holds the most variety. It’s also a different vibe than the ever-popular fall seasonal photos. The spring season is one of the shorter seasons in the South, lasting about 10 weeks. It starts mid-late March, and continues through the end of May when the wildflowers are in full bloom.

April and May are two of the most comfortable months out of the year in the Tennessee Valley (October is the other most comfortable month!), so outdoor sessions during this time are ideal. While the Tennessee Valley has a consistent ratio of rainy to dry days year-round, the spring has slightly more rain than the rest of the year. Late spring is the best season to chase waterfalls with me if that’s your thing!

Cons

• higher chances of rain

• shorter season

Pros

• variety in nature

  • cherry blossom sessions

  • waterfall sessions

  • wildflower sessions

• comfortable temperatures

Summer: June - September

What to Expect in the Summer

Summer in the South has less color than what you get with all the flowers in the spring. You can expect more deep blue-greens everywhere- from the grass, to the trees, to the invasive species of ivy covering everything- it’s everywhere. The summer season is the longest seasons of the year, beginning in late May/early June, and continuing through September. It might not be intuitive to book a summer session with all this heat and humidity (July is the hottest month of the year!), but the longer days and nicer weather means it is much easier to guarantee a beautiful sunset session. Not to mention, scheduling later in the day helps us beat the heat. You might also be interested in a firefly session! These cute lightning bugs light up at dusk during the first two weeks of June. Relaxation and fun is in the air during the summer, and we can definitely create some quintessential summer memories with these sessions.

It’s important to take extra precautions during the heat of summer. Please bring enough water for everyone (furry friends included!). Snacks can ward of the hot grumpies. Wearing breathable fabrics, like linen and cotton, can make everyone feel more comfortable. Finally, remember to take care of your skin! Sunscreen and bug repellent are a must (the mosquitos are the worst this time of year!)

Cons

• warm, uncomfortable temperatures with more humidity

• mosquitos are the worst

Pros

• ideal for sunset sessions (and firefly sessions!)

• lush foliage

• relaxing summer vibes

Autumn: October - November

What to Expect in the Fall

As the leaves change, you can still expect a lot of greenery at the beginning of October. However, these hues change from blue-green to more of a yellow-green hue. There is about a two-three week period where you get those vibrant colors the fall is famous for. If you are dedicated to getting your photos done during the peak fall season, schedule your photography session early, and book your date between late October and early November. After the peak season, you can expect a lot of brown and orange tones as all of those leaves cover the ground. The vibrant green from spring/summer won’t be back for another 4-5 months.

Sadly, the fall season is the shortest season, lasting only two months (October - November). It is also the most popular season for family photos. October is a particularly great time for photography sessions because it is one of the most comfortable months of the year- and the driest month of the year! This is why your photographer is at their busiest this time of year- in addition to the normal holiday chaos and indecisive weather- family photographers are also working overtime to fit the bulk of their clients into this short period.

Cons

• shortest season, vibrant colors only last 2-3 weeks

• busiest time for photographers- book your session early!

Pros

• cozy fall vibes

• vibrant colors

• comfortable temperatures

Winter: December - February

What to Expect in the Winter

The winter in the South mostly consists of a soft, muted, backdrop. The trees are bare, the summer grass has been replaced with brown winter grass, and the once full foliage has been peeled back for an open landscape. The monochromatic backdrops are actually perfectly neutral, which means you can really wear just about anything and it will pop. Winter sessions are most popular leading up to the holidays (stay tuned for some ideas on how you make your holiday cards stand out this year!)

January is the quietest month for photographers, who tend to hibernate until February when they start advertising for Valentine’s day sessions. If you’ve lived here for a minute, you know that February is actually the coldest month of the year, and the time of year when you are most likely to get snow. The problem with snow sessions is that the weather is so finnicky, but the good news is that it’s easier to get a last minute photography slot during the winter months. So if snow is forecasted and you’re interested in a snow session, don’t hesitate to reach out so we can work something out!

If you’re not really into the cold, this is also the best time of year for those intimate in-home sessions I love so much. Whether you want to schedule an in-home session with your newborn, your young children, or even just you and your partner, I have some ideas for you!

Cons

• cold, uncomfortable temperatures

Pros

• perfectly neutral backdrop

• ideal for time for intimate indoor sessions

• spontaneous snow sessions