New Orleans Fall Family Portraits: The Early Booking Secret Every Parent Should Know

It’s August, your kids are splashing in the pool, and the last thing on your mind is New Orleans fall family portraits. But here’s the thing—while you’re enjoying summer, my smartest clients are already securing their spot for those dreamy autumn photography sessions with me. And there’s a really good reason why they don’t wait.

Last August, I had a mom call me about booking her family’s fall portraits in New Orleans. She said she’d call back in September once school started and things settled down. When she finally reached out in late September, I had to deliver the disappointing news: I was completely booked through November. We scrambled to find a spot that fit with her kids’ busy schedules, and while we made it work, it reminded me why I always tell my clients: if you want gorgeous New Orleans fall family photos with me, we need to plan early.

Here’s what I’ve learned after 25 + years of photographing families: the difference between a dreamy, relaxed fall session and a stressful scramble often comes down to one thing—when to book fall photos. And if you’re dreaming of those golden hour family photos with autumn leaves as your backdrop, you’ll want to hear this early fall portrait booking secret that my best clients already know.

Why My New Orleans Fall Family Portraits Sell Out by Early September

Here’s the reality of running a boutique photography business in New Orleans: I only take a limited number of sessions each month because I believe in giving every family my complete attention. During fall portrait season, that means I book a select number of families between September and December to ensure quality over quantity.

My regular clients have learned this pattern about when to book fall photos. The family who’s booked with me for three years running? She emails me early asking about her usual October weekend morning slot. The mom who has her extended family visiting for Thanksgiving week? She reaches out in early September to secure her spot because she really wants to capture them all together.

But families who wait until October to start looking often find themselves on my waitlist or, worse, having to settle for whoever happens to have availability. And I get it—nobody wants to think about autumn photography booking when it’s 95 degrees and humid. But my calendar doesn’t care about the weather.

My NOLA Fall Mini Sessions Fill Up in Hours

Beyond my regular fall portrait sessions, I also offer a limited number of NOLA fall mini sessions at highly curated New Orleans locations. These shorter sessions are perfect for families who want beautiful fall portraits without the time commitment of a full session, but here’s the thing—they go incredibly fast.

I handpick only the most stunning locations for these mini sessions, places that showcase the best of New Orleans’ autumn beauty. Think gorgeous oak-lined streets, historic neighborhoods with perfect fall light, and those iconic spots that make our city so photogenic. But because I can only fit a few families at each location, these spots fill up within hours of being announced.

Last year, my Marigny Opera House mini sessions sold out in less than two hours. The historic BK House courtyard in the French Quarter location? Gone in four hours. Families who waited even a day to book found themselves completely out of luck.

My Best Weekend Time Slots Fill Up First

Let me tell you why those weekend morning and late afternoon slots are pure gold for New Orleans fall family portraits. Early morning light from 8-10am and that dreamy golden hour light from 4-6pm create the most beautiful, soft illumination that makes everyone look incredible. Plus, your kids are fresh and happy during morning sessions (before the afternoon meltdowns hit), while late afternoon sessions capture that magical warm glow that New Orleans is famous for.

These premium time slots—Saturday and Sunday mornings between 8am and 11am—typically get snatched up by early September. By the time October rolls around, I’m offering families weekday afternoon sessions or early morning weekday slots. Don’t get me wrong, we can still create beautiful images during those times, but there’s something special about those relaxed weekend morning sessions when everyone’s at their best. Daylight savings in early November can change availability in the afternoons as it starts to get darker sooner.

Early fall portrait booking also gives you first choice of locations. Want those iconic shots at City Park with the ancient oak trees? Prefer the charming streets of the Garden District? When you book early, we have time to scout the perfect spot for your family’s personality instead of working with whatever location happens to be available.

Plus, if Mother Nature decides to throw us a curveball (and she often does in New Orleans), early fall portrait booking gives you flexibility for rescheduling without the stress of squeezing into an already packed calendar.

Your Holiday Cards Deserve More Than a Rush Job

Here’s something most families don’t consider: when to book fall photos affects how quickly you get your final images. When you book early and we shoot in late September or October, your gallery is ready well before the holiday card chaos begins. No last-minute waiting, no stress about whether your photos will arrive in time.

Compare that to families who wait until November for their autumn photography sessions. Suddenly they’re scrambling to get their images back in time for holiday card orders, but guess what? So is everyone else. Holiday card companies are backed up, printing timelines stretch longer, and that peaceful holiday card process becomes a frantic race against Christmas deadlines. Here’s one of my favorite holiday card companies that do amazing work and are quick just in case you are last minute: mpix.com

Let’s Plan Your Session During Early Calm, Not Holiday Chaos

There’s something beautiful about planning your fall family portraits early. We can chat about outfit ideas over email without the pressure of back-to-school shopping. I can help you coordinate colors that will pop. We can discuss locations while you’re relaxed and excited, not stressed about soccer practice schedules and homework routines.

The further into fall, everyone’s calendars explode with activities, and finding a weekend that works becomes a puzzle. By contrast, early planning feels spacious and calm. You can actually enjoy the anticipation of your session instead of feeling rushed into it.

I love working with families who’ve had time to prepare—kids who are excited about the session because mom has been talking about it for weeks, parents who’ve thoughtfully chosen outfits that make them feel confident, families who show up relaxed because everything has been planned and confirmed well in advance.

One of my favorite clients books her family session early every single year for the first weekend in October. By the time session day arrives, her kids are talking about their “picture day” with excitement, she’s got backup outfit options ready, and there’s this beautiful calm energy because nothing feels rushed. Those sessions consistently produce some of my favorite images of the year.

Start Your Fall Portrait Journey Early

The best New Orleans fall family portraits happen when you plan ahead—way ahead. While other families will be scrambling to find any family photographer in New Orleans with availability, you’ll be relaxed knowing I’m reserved for your family, your perfect time slot is secured, and we can focus on creating something beautiful together.

Your future self (and your holiday card recipients) will thank you for booking your fall session with me early. There’s something magical about knowing that while the rest of the world is stressed about finding a fall photographer, you get to simply look forward to a beautiful morning creating memories with your favorite people.

After years of watching booking patterns, I’ve learned that families who understand when to book fall photos don’t just get better time slots—they get a better experience. They’re more relaxed, more prepared, and honestly? It shows in their images. When you’re not stressed about logistics, your genuine joy and connection shine through.

Get First Access to Fall Dates

Most of the families I photograph come back for pictures year after year. If you’re a new client, the best way to see my fall lineup of curated locations for mini sessions and full sessions is to become a VIP and join my newsletter.

VIP members get an exclusive 48 hour window to book their preferred fall sessions before I open booking to everyone else. That means while other families are still deciding, you’re already securing that coveted Saturday morning slot in October.

Ready to join the ranks of my smartest clients? Let’s get your fall session on the calendar early, so you can spend October and November relaxing instead of stressing about whether you’ll find the photographer you actually want.

Looking for more tips about your fall photos? Make sure to check out these articles:

The Best Photo Locations in New Orleans

The Best Places to Order Your Holiday Cards

Guest blogger Rose Tello Photography with a behind the scenes look as The Woodlands Family Photographer

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Ready to secure your fall session? Email me at mail@twirlphotography.com or call 504-388-8739. Let’s plan something beautiful for your family this autumn—the stress-free way.

P.S. – My fall VIP list opens next week. If you want first dibs on those weekend morning slots, now’s the time to get on the list!