The clocks went back this weekend, and every November I tell my clients the same thing: the light is changing, so our session times change too. Let me share a little story from last week, because it shows exactly why planning matters this time of year.
A windy week at Juno Beach
Last week I had a beach session with a lovely family who was in town visiting, together with their two dogs, a sweet poodle and her best buddy. We planned to meet on Juno Beach, near the Reef restaurant.
It has been so windy the past week. When I arrived, the beach was gone. The waves came all the way up, and there was no sand left to stand on.
So we changed the plan. We walked over to the Juno Beach Pier, took pictures, and the dogs did great. But for me, a family session is about the whole family together. They were only in town for a short time, and I did not want them to go home without the group portraits they were hoping for.
So we went for sunrise
For a beach session, the best light is either early in the morning or just before sunset. So we met again at sunrise, this time with the rest of the family for group pictures, on a quiet beach near Marcinski Road.
The photos turned out absolutely incredible. Morning light is soft and clean, with a completely different color than the afternoon. The ocean was calmer, the sky was glowing, and everyone was relaxed. It was the same family on the same stretch of coast, with two very different looks. Now they get to choose favorites from both.
A little behind the scenes: this was the windy sky over the ocean one of those mornings. We are still selecting and editing the family’s favorites, so I can’t share their portraits yet, but you can already feel that soft, glowing sunrise light.
What the time change means for outdoor sessions
Now that we are back on standard time, the sun sets around 5:30 in the evening here in Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter and Juno Beach. For beach and outdoor family photos, I like to start between 4:00 and 4:30 in the afternoon. That gives us the warm, golden light before sunset, and enough time for everyone, kids and dogs included, to settle in.
If you love the beach look and your family is an early-riser family, sunrise is a beautiful option too.
Just an idea of how a beach family portrait can look: another one of my sessions on the beach, around Father's Day, which was also close to the mother-in-law's birthday. Three generations together, all in white with touches of blue.
The studio works around your schedule
Many of my clients work all day, and by the time they leave the office, the sun is already down. This is where the studio is at its best. In the studio, I can control the light so we can meet at 6:00, 7:00, or any time of day that works for you. There is no wind, no high tide, and no rain to worry about. My Palm Beach Gardens studio is pet friendly, so your dog can relax inside too.
For the holidays, I have festive Christmas and winter sets for your Christmas photoshoot, plus clean, simple backgrounds for a timeless portrait.
One of my favorite holiday sets in the studio: snow, a little red car full of presents, and a very good boy in his red scarf. Rain or shine, morning or evening, it always looks like Christmas in here.
Holiday portraits in your home
I also come to your home. A portrait next to your own Christmas tree, on your staircase, or with your dogs on their favorite couch feels so personal. Home sessions are flexible with time, just like the studio, because we are not racing the sunset.
Which one is right for you?
The beach or outdoors: you love natural light and the ocean, and you can meet around 4:00 in the afternoon or at sunrise.
The studio: you need an evening appointment after work, you want a holiday set, or you want no weather worries.
Your home: you want your own tree and your own space in the pictures.
The holiday calendar fills fast, especially the weekends before Christmas and Hanukkah. If family is coming into town, call me early so we can plan around their visit. And if the weather does not cooperate, we will find a plan B together, just like we did last week.
Want more ideas? Read What to Wear for Holiday Photos in Florida and Holiday Pet Portraits: How to Get Your Dog Ready for Christmas Photos.
Call me at 561.307.9875 to book your holiday family and pet photo session. I would love to hear about your family and your pets.
Vasi Siedman is an award-winning local photographer and the owner of Vasi Studio, creating pet, family and business portraits in Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, Juno Beach and Palm Beach.