What is the Best Time of Year to Have Photos Taken in Seattle, WA | Eickhoff Photography | Seattle Senior Photos

All year Round!! =)

This is actually true. I think any time of the year is a good time to document you or your family, but there are a few things to think about if you are interested in a particular look for your photos.

First, consider what style/feel you’d like for your photos. The style you choose will likely depend on what you plan to do with your photos? Do you plan to add to an existing photo wall or replace an older image? Do you want to create a new photo wall in a different room? Are you planning to make an album to commemorate your pregnancy and newborn? Do you want to use your senior photos on graduation announcements, in the yearbook, or is mom planning to print some for the wall?

Sometimes the time of year depends on the event or moment we are capturing. We can photograph your senior photos, baby bump, newborn, or kids birthday portraits any time of year to line up with these milestones. If the timing is in winter, we can create cozy photos in your home or at a north Seattle studio. If the weather is nice enough, I even have a nearby evergreen forest option that we could use in the winter time or we could consider a mountain adventure to the snow.

If your timing is more flexible, then here are some of the pros and cons of photographing in each season in Seattle.

Spring

March – Early June

Spring in Seattle is lush, green, and full of fresh brightly colored flowers. Everything is coming alive after the long stretch of grey months. As of mid March, we spring forward and gain a little more light at the end of our days. This is helpful in early spring with sunset occurring around 7:30p, but can make things a little trickier by June when sunset is closer to 9p. Depending on the location we are shooting at, we often start 1-2 hours prior to sunset to get the best light. Most toddlers and young kids do great with the adventure of a later photo time, but if you are concerned about the timing, earlier spring or later fall may be a better option for your family.

One other challenge with outdoor photos in spring can be the weather. It certainly rains more in spring than summer, but don’t let it rule out spring as an option. I will likely ask you to keep two days available for your session during those months and will watch the weather closely in the days before to determine which day/time will be best. As a bonus, if the sky is a little cloudy, it can create amazing light and gives us more flexibility regarding where we can photograph. If it is raining lightly and you are up for a rainy PNW feel, I have clear umbrellas that we can also use to keep you dry while getting fun and beautiful photos. I find that I am always amazed by how much the colors pop when everything is covered in those springtime sprinkles.

Summer

Late June – Early September

Summer in Seattle is the best time for golden sun, fully leafed trees, beaches, wildflowers, and tall grasses. If you want to plan a session date and have nearly guaranteed sunshine, you should plan your session between July 4th and early September. Of course, we have the occasional day of rain that we may need ot flex around, but these are typically the  most warm and beautiful months here in Seattle. July is when the sunset is the latest, however, by August 1st, sunset is before 9p and by September 1st it is before 8p. So, if you are worried about bedtime and little kids, an August session is often perfect! If you are looking for wild flowers, typically July or early August is better. And If you’re interested in long golden grasses, August or September will be the best option. Summer in Seattle is a great time for golden haze and sunflares, shorts and sundresses, PNW beaches and sunset silhouettes.

Fall

Late September – Early November

Fall in Seattle is full of cozy sweaters, cute hats, boots, and warm coffee. This is when the leaves pop with color, albeit sometimes very briefly, the grass is golden and the flowers are mostly gone for the season. Fall is typically the busiest time of year for photography as folks are thinking about back to school senior photos and a family photo for their holiday cards or photos to gift to the grandparents. If you are looking for fall colors in your photos, you may need a little flexibility in your scheduling. Every year is a bit different, but the leaves in Seattle usually change color in mid-October. Once the leaves change, they can last any where from 1 week to about mid November. It all depends on how much and how hard it rains once they change. Because fall is such a busy time of the year, working around the rainy days may look like shifting your session time to earlier in the day during a dry window or possibly planning of a couple of days and deciding as it gets close which day will be best for photos. Much like spring photos, some folks will opt for clear umbrellas and a truly PNW rainy fall feel. Fall can often yield beautiful golden light and bright colors.

If the leaves fall quickly, there are some evergreen forests that can look alive and magical for your fall photos as well. With a little flexibility, we can definitely capture beautiful photos of you or your family in the lovely fall months of the PNW. Also, keep in mind that daylight savings time swings back to an earlier sunset time in late October/early November with the day ending very early by November.

If you are worried about planning around fall weather, I usually host fall mini sessions in the studio in November for folks with less flexible schedules. This is an easy option to capture your family with less stress =) Check for current mini session availability here.

Winter

November – February

The winter months can be tougher for outdoor photos due to the rain and the cold, but this can be an amazing time for photos in your home or in the studio. When we photograph your family in your home, we can record couch snuggles, floor playing, and extra silliness in your kids comfort zone. If it feels dreary outside, we can add a little light inside or play with the window light for a more dramatic look. If the weather is nice, this can also be a great time of year for urban style photos or photos in the evergreen forests in North Seattle.

Are you up for an adventure? We could consider a trip to the mountains for some photos in the snow as well.

Regardless of the time of year, we can always capture you and yours in your home, in an urban setting with brick walls, graffiti, and metal alley stairs, or in the studio. But if you’re looking for a particular outdoor, nature based, Seattle feel, reach out and get your session on the books today to snag the perfect timing!

Updated January 10, 2026

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