Spring Family Photo Guide | Northern Virginia
Springtime in DC is popular for all the pretty blooms. Cherry blossoms, peonies, roses – so many options! This guide walks you through planning a portrait session during this magical season.
Average Spring Portrait Session Times
The sun changes drastically throughout this season (end of March through May). You can plan on approximately 5:30- 7:30pm in April and 6:00-8:00pm in May for sunset. Sunrise is anywhere between 5:30-7am depending on your date. Many locations also work well a few hours after sunrise if you don’t want to get up that early, or a few hours before sunset if that works better with bedtime schedules. We’ll choose the location and start time combination that gives you the very best photos!
Timing Your Family Photos for Blooms
If you want trees to have greenery, you’ll want to aim for mid-to-late April at the earliest! The trees start budding in April but it takes a while for them to really fill out and give you that full greenery look.
The wide variety of blooming flowers make spring in Northern Virginia and DC the perfect time for family photos! Magnolia trees bloom in early to mid-March. They are very unpredictable, so if you want to get these be sure to book early and try to be flexible! I will pencil you in, but we may need to adjust the date as we get closer.
Peonies can be found on one of my favorite locations during mid-May. And if you love roses, they start blooming late May into early July at several of my. favorite spots! When you work with me as a photographer, I have a whole list of favorite locations in the area and I can help you pick out the perfect one based on what you want.
Note on cherry blossom sessions
You can’t mention spring without the infamous cherry blossom season in DC. After taking portraits along the magical Tidal Basin for many years, we have decided to stop offering these specific sessions. However, we still offer cherry blossom sessions at other locations! Popular spots include the National Arboretum, locations around DC, and Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. The best time for blooms is usually late March to mid-April, although it does vary each year!
What to wear for Spring Family Photos in Northern VA & DC
Many of my clients love wearing a dress from my client closet during the spring! Neutral tones like white, ivory, champagne and cream can look stunning against a blooming backdrop. You can also add a pop of color with soft blushes, blue tones, lavender and sage green. Long sleeve, short sleeves, and sleeveless dresses can all work well this time of year due to the outdoor temperatures. For men, going with a classic look such as khaki or chino pants and a button are usually all you need. If you work with me, you also get complimentary styling assistance so I can help you pick outfits for everybody, whether that’s picking out new items online to buy or helping you narrow down options in your closet.
Other Tips for Spring Portraits
Spring can be such a beautiful time! However, if you have allergies, you may want to wait until the summer when pollen isn’t as intense. It also is still cooler in the spring, so if you dislike all cold weather I recommend scheduling a little closer to summer for morning sessions (usually by mid- to end of May you’re safe) or towards late April / early May for evening sessions.
If you have more questions that haven’t been answered here, send me a note at info@emilyalyssa.com! You can also book your own session here.
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