Why You Should Not Plan to Schedule a Photo Session in October

PSA Time!

Gather around, friends, because it’s time for a little public service announcement that could save you a whole lot of disappointment, stress, and "well, maybe next year" regrets.

If you are thinking about calling a photographer in October to schedule your fall family photo session, I’m begging you—don't. I’m saying this with all the love in my heart (and maybe a little exasperation): October is not your month.

I’m here today to break down why October is basically a cruel joke when it comes to family photography — and why planning ahead is the real MVP move if you want those golden, cozy fall photos you’ve been dreaming about.

PSA: Waiting Until October to Book Fall Photos? Huge Mistake. Here’s Why You Need to Plan Ahead!

Information on Family Sessions

October Weather is Basically a Gamble

Let’s start with the obvious. October weather? Unhinged.
One minute it's sunny and 75, the next it's 40 degrees with sideways rain and gusts of wind that could probably lift your toddler off the ground like a tiny kite. (Adorable in theory. Less adorable in photos.)

You can’t predict it. You can't plan around it. You can't outsmart it. Trust me, photographers have been trying for years.

And if you think, "Oh, we'll just reschedule if it rains," ha — HA — because the problem is, there are hardly any open dates left to reschedule to. You’ll blink and suddenly it’s mid-November and every leaf in the state has given up and yeeted itself off the trees.

October is basically like planning an outdoor party with no tent in a hurricane forecast. There’s a chance it might work out. But are you really willing to bet your family photos on that?

For the most predictability you can check out the DNR’s Fall Color Finder and see how the season plans to shape up this year.

Fall Family Photos: Why October is Too Late to Book and What You Should Do Instead

If You're Calling Photographers in October, You’re Already Too Late

I say this with love: if you’re calling around in October trying to book a session, it’s over. Everyone is booked.

Like, booked back in July.

Photographers don't just pencil in a few slots and see what happens. Fall is our Super Bowl. Our Black Friday. Our "forget having a social life" season.

By the time October rolls around, if a photographer still has openings, there’s probably a reason—and it’s not because they’re saving a spot just for you. (Ouch, I know. But better to hear it now.)

The good photographers? They’re gone. Their calendars are so full that if you text them asking for a "quick fall mini session," they might gently—and with love—block your number.

If you’re serious about wanting those Pinterest-worthy family photos with all the fall vibes, you need to be calling photographers in July. Better yet, June if you're an overachiever.

Take it from me: The families who book early are sitting pretty while October callers are panicking in their group chats.

Avoid the October Madness! The Smart Way to Book Gorgeous Fall Photos in Minneapolis

The mQn Experience

Early Fall = Better Photos (and a Happier Photographer)

Look, I love photographing families. It’s literally why I do what I do. But let me be honest with you: by late October, I’m tired.

Burnt out. Creatively tapped. Running on nothing but coffee and sheer willpower.

And it’s not just me—most photographers will tell you the same thing if they’re being real. We LOVE what we do, but after weeks and weeks of back-to-back sessions, editing marathons, and dodging October's meteorological chaos, the sparkle gets a little dimmer.

Want the best version of your photographer? Catch them in September. Better yet Spring or Summer! Early October at the latest.

That's when the colors are still gorgeous, the energy is high, and we're still in that creative sweet spot that makes magic happen.

Plus, Minneapolis in Summer? Stunning. But Minneapolis in Early Fall? Absolutely unbeatable. Warm light, cozy sweaters, crunchy leaves—all the good stuff without the deep freeze. It’s the vibe you're after, and you only get it if you book early.

Sickness + A Packed Calendar = Disaster

Another fun twist in the October chaos? Germ season.

Kids are back in school, daycare bugs are circulating like candy, and just when you think you're safe, bam—someone's got a fever.

Normally, a little cold wouldn’t be the end of the world. We’d reschedule for a week or two later, no big deal.

But in October? Good luck finding another date.

Photographers' schedules are so jam-packed that squeezing in a reschedule is like playing Tetris on expert mode.

If you have to cancel because someone is sick, you might end up taking your “fall family photos” in, like, December. Which, unless you're going for a "family freezing in parkas" look, probably isn't what you had in mind.

Planning ahead for an earlier session gives you a little breathing room if you do get hit with the inevitable back-to-school crud. It’s just smarter all around.

Why October is the Worst Month to Book Family Photos (and What to Do Instead!)

Book Now or Cry Later

If you take nothing else from this little ranty PSA, hear this:

Do not wait until October to book your fall photo session.

By then it’s too late, the weather is a mess, photographers are burnt out, reschedules are nearly impossible, and you'll be stuck wondering what happened to your perfect fall photo dreams.

If you want gorgeous family photos with that early fall glow (or honestly, if you want photos at all), you should be booking right now.

Minneapolis in Summer might feel too early to think about flannel and pumpkins, but it’s the smart move if you actually want those dreamy photos hanging above your fireplace by Christmas.

So, consider this your friendly reminder: Get on my calendar now! Let's capture your family at their best—before the October madness hits.

And hey, if you made it this far, drop a comment below!

Tell me: have you ever tried to book something last-minute and regretted it? (It's a safe space. No judgment. Promise.)

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Michele is a Minneapolis family photographer with over 15 years of experience capturing simple, timeless portraits for families who love natural, beautiful moments.

Known for her straightforward advice (and occasional funny rants about October weather), she helps families plan ahead so they can actually enjoy their photo sessions without the last-minute stress.

When she's not photographing adorable families in cozy sweaters, she’s soaking up Minneapolis in Summer and making sure her clients have the best chance at those perfect fall photos—long before the first leaf even thinks about falling.

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5 Comments

May 8, 2025, 1:00:16 PM

Molly - The way this post made me laugh out loud! "October is not your month" haha- every Fall-photo-seeking family needs to read this post!

May 8, 2025, 10:49:21 AM

Jennifer - Love all these tips, pre-planning is so important and you make it so easy to book! Plus, hitting those longer days before daylight savings and still capturing those fall colors is a fabulous tip!

May 8, 2025, 8:29:12 AM

Ashley - I agree -- I love spring so much!! Such a great time of year for photos!

May 8, 2025, 8:29:12 AM

Ashley - I agree -- I love spring so much!! Such a great time of year for photos!

May 7, 2025, 6:56:20 PM

Heather Thomas - I love the tones in the garden photo session. My favorite time is always spring. The changing seasons are so special. Great tips here!

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