Scheduling your Vermont family photography session and wondering the best time of day to take family photos outside? Here’s what you need to know!

I get it; with nap times, meal times, bedtimes, snack times, and more snack times, it is tough to decide the best time to take family photographs—especially when you have multiple kiddos with constantly varying schedules. 

At the end of the day, I will always believe that the “best” time is the time your kiddos are happiest and most likely to be engaged. I ask many questions before my Storytelling Family Sessions to help us determine the best time based on your family, your vision for your session, and the feeling you want to get when you open your final gallery.

That said, if you’re chasing the golden light just before sunset, here is the best time to take family photos outside each month so you can confidently schedule the Vermont family photography session you’ve been dreaming of.

Golden Hour In Vermont: Month-to-Month Guide

Summertime “golden hour” (the time about an hour before sunset when the sun is low in the sky) can be too late for littles. Here is a month-to-month breakdown of the “best” time to take family photos outside.

Best Time to Take Outdoor Photos in January and February

• Jan 1: 3:30-4:40
• Jan 15: 3:50–5:00
• Feb 1: 4:205:20
• Feb 15: 4:40-5:40

Best Time to Take Outdoor Photos in March and April

• March 1: 5:00-6:00
• March 15: 6:20-7:20
• April 1: 6:40-7:40
• April 15: 7:00-8:00

Best Time to Take Outdoor Photos in May and June

• May 1: 7:20-8:20
• May 15: 7:30-8:35
• June 1: 7:50-8:50
• June 15: 8:00-9:00

Best Time to Take Outdoor Family Photos in July and August

• July 1: 8:00-9:00
• July 15: 7:50-9:00
• Aug 1: 7:40-8:40
• Aug 15: 7:20-8:20

Best Time to Take Outdoor Photos in September and October

• Sept 1: 6:50-7:50
• Sept 15: 6:20-7:20
• Oct 1: 5:50-6:50
• Oct 15: 5:30-6:30

Best Time to Take Outdoor Family Photos in November and December

• Nov 1: 5:00-6:00
• Nov 15: 3:40-4:45
• Dec 1: 3:30-4:30
• Dec 15: 3:20-4:30

TLDR: The Best Time of Day to Take Family Photos Outside

The spring and fall are the best times to schedule outdoor family photography sessions if you want the golden glow. These are also busy seasons for photographers

I call my family, maternity, and newborn sessions “Storytelling Sessions” because that is exactly what they are. Together, we plan a session that encapsulates the season of life you want to document. I’ll ask specific questions to help you brainstorm the most important moments, memories, and feelings you want to remember. You’ll have a chance to tell me more about the kind of images you’re most drawn to and the things that inspire you, and share any images you’ve seen and loved. Then, we’ll work together to plan outfits and choose a location and time that best represents your family and the story you want to tell.

Interested in working together? Learn more about my Vermont family photography and maternity photography services here.

(P.S. Come say “hi” on Instagram if you haven’t yet!)