One of the questions I get asked as a family photographer is when the best time of year is for family photographs in Devon.
My honest answer is that there isn’t one particular season that is always best.
Spring, summer, autumn and winter can all produce beautiful family photographs. What matters more is the type of photographs you want, the scenery you like, the location you choose and, perhaps most importantly, what the weather is doing on the day.
Having photographed families around Exmouth, Exeter and the surrounding Devon area, I think every season has something different to offer. Rather than simply choosing a time of year because someone says it is the “best”, I would think about the sort of photographs you would actually like to have on your wall.
Choosing the Best Season for Your Family Photos
Each season gives you a completely different background, colour palette and atmosphere.
Spring Family Photography in Devon
Spring can be a lovely time for family photography because everything is starting to come back to life.
Plants are beginning to grow and flowers are blooming, which can give photographs a much more colourful and fresh appearance. Places such as parks and gardens around Exeter can look particularly beautiful at this time of year.
Manor Gardens and Victoria Park in Exeter are examples of places where the changing season can really become part of the photographs.
Spring is also useful if you want photographs that feel bright, colourful and natural without necessarily having the intense heat that you can sometimes get during the summer.
Summer Family Photography in Devon
Summer is probably the season many families immediately think about when they consider having outdoor family photographs.
You can photograph families at the beach, in parks, gardens, woodland or almost anywhere else, depending on the location and the weather.
For many families, the beach is an obvious choice during summer. Devon has plenty of beautiful coastal locations, and somewhere like Exmouth can provide a very different look from an inland park or garden.
Summer also gives families more flexibility with clothing. You might choose relaxed T-shirts and shorts, or dress up in outfits that work well with the location.
However, I wouldn’t say that a hot, bright summer day is automatically perfect for photography. Very strong sunshine can actually make photography more difficult, particularly when there are harsh shadows and people are squinting.
For that reason, I often prefer slightly cloudier conditions.
Autumn Family Photography in Devon
Autumn is one of those seasons where you don’t necessarily have to add anything to the photograph because the environment is already doing so much for you.
The changing leaves can create beautiful brown, orange, yellow and golden colours, while fallen leaves can completely transform the ground beneath the trees.
Parks, woodland and other large natural spaces can work particularly well during autumn.
One family I photographed during autumn had their photographs taken in Victoria Park. The leaves had fallen and created a thick layer across the ground, with beautiful brown and orangey colours throughout the area.
We were also able to photograph the children throwing leaves into the air. Those photographs weren’t simply posed portraits. They captured the children having fun and created genuine memories of that particular period of their lives.
That’s one of the things I really like about autumn family photography. You can use the season itself to create photographs that immediately remind you when they were taken.
Winter Family Photography in Devon
Winter can sometimes be overlooked when families think about outdoor photography, but it can create a completely different atmosphere.
The landscape can be much more muted, and in some conditions it can almost have a black-and-white appearance. That can actually work beautifully.
Winter also gives you the opportunity to use Christmas decorations and lights as part of the background.
I have photographed families around the Christmas period where decorations, Christmas trees, baubles and lights have become an important part of the photographs. The colours and glowing lights can completely change the atmosphere compared with a normal outdoor family session.
We don’t get huge amounts of snow in Devon, of course, but if you happen to get the right conditions, snow can create a very different style of family photograph.
The Weather Matters More Than the Season
For me, the weather is often more important than the month on the calendar.
You can choose the perfect location and the perfect season, but if the weather isn’t suitable, you may not get the photographs you were hoping for.
That doesn’t necessarily mean that you need a completely clear blue sky.
In fact, I often prefer cloudy conditions for family photography.
Cloud can provide much softer light than strong direct sunshine, which can make it easier to photograph people naturally without harsh shadows or people constantly squinting.
A small amount of rain isn’t necessarily a problem either. If it isn’t absolutely pouring down, there can still be opportunities to take some lovely photographs.
It is really about looking at the conditions and deciding whether they work for the style of photographs you want.
Fog can also create an interesting atmosphere in certain circumstances. It isn’t something I would automatically recommend, but if someone specifically wanted a more atmospheric or unusual look, it could become part of the photograph.
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What Time of Day Is Best for Family Photography?
The time of day can make a big difference to your photographs.
I generally like photographing families earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon, depending on the time of year and the available natural light.
The exact time isn’t something I would set purely by the clock because sunrise and sunset change throughout the year.
Instead, I look at the conditions on the day and work out when the available natural light is going to be most suitable.
As a general idea, morning sessions might be around 8am or 9am, while afternoon sessions can work later in the day, provided there is still enough natural light.
The important thing is not to leave things until it is almost dark. Natural light is a major part of outdoor photography, so I always consider the time of sunrise and sunset when planning a session.
Choosing a Devon Location for Your Family Photos
The location should also be chosen around the style of photographs you want.
Exeter Family Photography
Exeter has plenty of different possibilities throughout the year.
During winter and around Christmas, the decorated streets and areas around the shops can provide colourful and festive backgrounds.
In spring, parks and gardens can provide flowers, plants and fresh greenery.
Autumn brings completely different colours, particularly in larger parks and natural areas.
This means that the same general area can look completely different depending on when you visit it.
Beach Family Photography in Devon
During summer, many families naturally gravitate towards the beach.
Beach photography can give you a more relaxed and informal feeling, particularly if children are able to move around and enjoy themselves rather than simply standing still for photographs.
However, the beach isn’t restricted to summer. Different weather and seasons can create completely different images.
As with any outdoor location, I would always consider the weather and the conditions before deciding whether a particular day is suitable.
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What Should Your Family Wear?
Your clothing can also help determine which season works best for you.
Think about the overall look you want rather than simply choosing clothes because they are appropriate for the temperature.
For example, winter gives you the opportunity to incorporate:
- Coats
- Hats
- Gloves
- Scarves
- Boots
- More layered outfits
Summer can be much more relaxed, with lighter clothing, T-shirts and shorts.
You can also think about the colours you want in your photographs.
If you like warm orangey, brown and yellow tones, autumn could be ideal. If you prefer bright greens and blues, summer may suit you more.
Spring can provide a mixture of colours because of flowers and new growth, while winter can be more muted or, around Christmas, much more colourful because of lights and decorations.
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Don’t Wait for a Perfect Day
One thing I would say to families is not to become too focused on finding a completely perfect day.
There is no guarantee that Devon will give you exactly the weather you imagined when you booked your family photography session.
Instead, I look at what the conditions are actually giving us and work with them.
A cloudy day can produce beautiful photographs. Autumn leaves can provide a fantastic background. Christmas decorations can transform an otherwise ordinary location. Even slightly different weather can sometimes give your photographs character.
The important thing is having the right conditions for the type of photographs you want.
My Advice for Choosing the Best Time of Year
If you are thinking about booking family photography in Devon, I would start by asking yourself what you actually want your photographs to look like.
Think about:
- Which season your family enjoys most
- Whether you prefer warm or cooler colours
- Whether you want a beach, park, garden or more urban background
- Whether you like bright summer colours or autumnal tones
- What sort of clothing you want your family to wear
- Whether you want relaxed photographs or something more seasonal
- What your children will enjoy doing during the session
- What the weather forecast is showing
There isn’t a single answer to the question of when the best time for family photos in Devon is.
For me, the best time is when the weather, location, light and style all come together to create the photographs that your family actually wants.
Whether that’s children throwing autumn leaves around in a park, walking along a Devon beach during summer, enjoying spring flowers in a garden or standing underneath Christmas lights in Exeter, every season gives you something different.
And ultimately, these photographs aren’t just about having nice pictures on your phone. They are about creating memories that you can look back on for years to come, whether they are displayed on the wall, kept in an album or simply shared with your family.
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Photography in Devon
What is the best month for family photos in Devon?
There isn’t one best month. Every season offers different scenery and colours. I would choose the month based on the style you want, the location you prefer and the expected weather conditions.
Is summer the best time for family photography in Devon?
Summer is popular, particularly for beach photography, but it isn’t automatically the best. Strong sunshine can sometimes create harsh shadows, so I often prefer slightly cloudy conditions or times of day when the sunlight is softer.
Can you have family photos taken in autumn in Devon?
Absolutely. Autumn can be one of the most visually distinctive times for family photography because of the brown, orange and yellow leaves. Parks and natural areas can provide particularly beautiful backgrounds.
Is winter a good time for family photographs?
Yes. Winter can create a much more atmospheric look, particularly if you like muted colours. Around Christmas, decorations, lights and Christmas trees can also provide colourful and interesting backgrounds.
What time of day is best for family photography?
I generally prefer earlier mornings or later afternoons, depending on the season and the available natural light. I always consider sunrise, sunset and the weather rather than relying on one fixed time throughout the year.
What happens if it is cloudy on the day of our family photos?
Cloudy weather can actually be very useful for photography. It can provide softer, more even light and reduce harsh shadows. I wouldn’t automatically cancel a session simply because the sky is cloudy.
Can you have family photos taken at the beach in Devon?
Yes. Devon has many beaches that can work well for family photography. Summer is particularly popular, but coastal photography can work throughout the year if the weather and conditions are suitable.
What should we wear for family photographs?
Think about the season, location and colours you want in the final photographs. Winter gives you opportunities for coats, hats and layers, while summer allows for lighter and more relaxed clothing. I would also consider how the colours of your clothes will work with the background.
Should we book our family photography session for a sunny day?
Not necessarily. Bright sunshine isn’t always ideal for portraits. Cloudy conditions can provide softer light, and I will consider the overall weather conditions when deciding whether a session is suitable.
Do you offer family photography around Exeter and Exmouth?
Yes. Family photography can take place in Exeter, Exmouth and surrounding areas, with the location chosen around the type of photographs the family wants. Different locations can work particularly well in different seasons, so I am always happy to discuss what would suit your family and the style you have in mind.
