Man, I love spring so much. As soon as January rolls around, you will find me outside studying our yard for any small signs of spring. Lucky for us, Texas does not disappoint when it comes to beautiful scenery–in March, there are the blooms of Bartlett pear trees, followed by the gorgeous yellow flowers that pop up all over the place on the sides of the roads and fields. After that, the wash of color from bluebonnets and Indian paint brushes take over before giving way to buttercups and Crepe Myrtles in May. If you love this time of the year in Texas, it’s a wonderful time to schedule your spring photo session. Here are just 3 simple tips to make sure you get the most out of yours:
Be flexible
Spring in Texas is gorgeous, but definitely unpredictable. If you are wanting an outdoor spring photo session, remaining flexible is absolutely key. If there is a certain location you want (ie. a field of bluebonnets), just know that peak bloom times can be uncertain. This year, bluebonnets bloomed nearly three weeks later than what was expected. The terrain can also change quickly, so an area that is full of yellow blooms one week may look completely different the next. Keep your options open and you will be much more likely to be happy with your results. Which leads us to tip number two…
Embrace the elements
As the old saying goes, if you don’t like the weather, wait a few minutes and it will change. I know we all hope for perfect weather the day of our sessions, but unfortunately, that is certainly not a guarantee here in Texas. If the weather on the day of your photo session rolls around and is less than ideal, don’t throw in the towel just yet. Cloudy days create beautiful soft, even lighting that will make skin glow in images. Wind can create gorgeous emotion through the movement of clothing and hair. Rain can present opportunities to capture reflections as well as incorporating fun elements such as umbrellas, rain coats and boots. Obviously, we will reschedule sessions if the weather is unsafe or unsuitable for the terrain, but otherwise consider giving the elements a chance. You might just love the results!
Be prepared
This last tip is my least favorite part of holding outdoor sessions in the spring and summer. As beautiful as Texas scenery may be, it does present an array of potentially unpleasant things, and it is always best to be prepared. As soon as the weather starts warming up, please make sure your feet and ankles are sprayed thoroughly with bug spray prior to your session to avoid any run-ins with chiggers or other critters. I always advise my clients to thoroughly wash their feet and legs after a session just in case, and do a once-over to make sure there are no ticks. Please also talk to your children prior to our session about the importance of being aware of where their feet and hands are at all times. I will always stomp around an area in search of snakes prior to sessions (I haven’t seen one yet!), but it’s always best to stay out of areas if you cannot see the ground you are about to step on.
So there you have it! I hope these tips will help just a bit as your prepare for your spring photo session! If you still need to schedule yours, there is still time. Please make sure to contact me to start planning yours today!
A few more helpful links:
Check out my pinterest board for ideas on what to wear
See this blog post for ideas on what colors work beautifully in the spring
Christina Freeman is a McKinney family photographer based in Anna, TX. She specializes in photographing families, newborns and children in Collin County including Melissa, Van Alstyne, McKinney, Plano, Princeton, Farmersville, Prosper, Frisco, Wylie, Celina, Little Elm and other Dallas suburbs.