Welcome to the most popular photography season of the year!


😂 And for good reason.


Late summer and fall in Pennsylvania give us wildflowers, golden fields, comfortable temperatures, changing leaves, and eventually those gorgeous deep oranges, reds, and yellows that make everyone suddenly remember they need an updated family photo.


BUT... not all of fall looks like fall.


If you're picturing blazing orange trees in September, I have some bad news for you. 😂 On the other hand, if you love warm evenings, long grasses, and green landscapes, September might actually be your perfect month.


As a family photographer in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, one of the questions I get every year is some variation of: "When should I book my fall family photos?" The answer really depends on what you want your photos to look like.


So let's break down August through November here in Lebanon County and south-central Pennsylvania—and figure out which month gives you the look you're dreaming about.


🌻 August: The Golden End of Summer

August may technically still be summer, but don't overlook it when you're planning family photos.

This is when Pennsylvania is still incredibly lush and green, wildflowers are blooming, and we have those long summer evenings that produce some absolutely gorgeous golden light.

If you love warm, glowy, colorful photos, August is hard to beat.


✅ Best Features:

  • Everything is still beautifully green and lush.
  • Wildflowers are usually still going strong!
  • Long evenings give us gorgeous golden-hour light.
  • Warm weather means sundresses, bare feet, and all the summery things.
  • It's a great time for senior portraits before the craziness of the school year really kicks in.
  • Later August starts giving us that slightly warmer, golden look that hints fall is coming.

❌ Challenges:

  • It's HOT. And humid. Pennsylvania does not mess around in August.
  • Sessions need to happen fairly late in the evening to get the prettiest light—which can be tricky for families with very young children.
  • Bugs. Bring the bug spray.
  • Afternoon thunderstorms can occasionally make scheduling interesting.

⭐ Best for:

Families who love warm, glowy photos, wildflowers, sundresses, and the lush green look of summer.

A happy family of five sits together on a fallen log in a lush green outdoor setting during golden hour.
A father joyfully lifts his young daughter in a vibrant flower field at golden hour.
Happy family of four walking through a blooming flower field on a sunny day.

🌾 September: Summer Meets Fall

September is one of my favorite transitional months for family photos in Pennsylvania because you get a little bit of everything.


Early September still feels very much like summer, but by the end of the month, the landscape begins to dry out and turn warmer and more golden. You probably won't see much traditional "fall foliage" yet—but you'll definitely start to feel fall coming. And if you don't particularly care about orange leaves? September is kind of fantastic.


✅ Best Features:

  • Warm days without quite as much intense summer heat.
  • Beautiful golden fields and grasses begin replacing some of the bright summer green.
  • Earlier sunsets mean families with younger kids don't have to stay up quite as late for golden hour.
  • You can start wearing layers without everyone sweating through their clothes!
  • It's a gorgeous month for senior portraits.
  • There's usually more scheduling flexibility than October, which is PRIME family-photo season.

❌ Challenges:

  • If you're booking specifically for colorful leaves, September is probably too early.
  • Early September can still be surprisingly hot and humid.
  • Back-to-school schedules, sports, and activities can make family calendars a little crazy.

⭐ Best for:

Families who want a warm, earthy, early-fall look without waiting for peak foliage—or fighting for an October session date.

Smiling blonde teen girl in green knit top and denim shorts poses outdoors in sunlit field.
Smiling couple embracing outdoors in a lush garden with yellow wildflowers and trees in the background.
Family of four walking outdoors in a sunlit forest, smiling and holding hands in autumn attire.

🍂 October: Hellooooo, Fall!

This is the month everyone thinks of when they picture fall family photos in Pennsylvania.

Sweaters! Boots! Golden light! Orange leaves!

And yes... October can absolutely deliver.


But here's the important part:

October 1 does not automatically equal fall foliage.

Here in south-central Pennsylvania, our biggest color typically comes toward the second half of October. Historically, peak fall foliage in our part of Pennsylvania tends to occur somewhere around October 20–31.

Mother Nature, however, refuses to consult my photography calendar. 😂

Temperature, rainfall, wind, and elevation can all move that window around from year to year.


Early October

Early October is generally still a mixture of green with the beginnings of yellow, orange, and red.

This can actually be a really beautiful time for photos because you get a softer transition between summer and fall rather than an entire wall of orange.


Mid-October

Now we're talking.

By mid-October, the color change is usually much more noticeable. You'll begin seeing significantly more yellow, orange, and red throughout Lebanon County, especially depending on the location and elevation.


Late October

If you're dreaming about those quintessential Pennsylvania fall family photos, this is your best bet.

For the Lebanon area, I would personally aim for roughly October 18–28 if peak foliage is your #1 priority.

That doesn't mean October 22 will definitely be better than October 15—or October 29. Fall color changes every year.


Statistically speaking... the second half of October gives us our best shot at vibrant fall foliage.


✅ Best Features:

  • THE LEAVES.
  • Comfortable temperatures make sessions easier for everyone.
  • Sweaters, boots, jackets, layers, and rich colors photograph beautifully.
  • Earlier sunsets make golden-hour sessions much more manageable for families with little kids.
  • The landscape changes almost daily, so even early and late October can give completely different looks.

❌ Challenges:

  • October is one of my busiest months of the entire year. Dates—especially weekends—can disappear FAST.
  • Peak foliage is impossible to predict perfectly months in advance.
  • A windy storm at exactly the wrong time can take a beautiful tree from "WOW" to "well... there go the leaves" overnight.
  • Temperatures can vary wildly. I've photographed October sessions in short sleeves AND winter coats.

⭐ Best for:

Families dreaming about the classic Pennsylvania fall-photo experience. If colorful foliage is especially important to you, choose the second half of the month and book early.

Family of three posing outdoors in autumn forest, parents and young son smiling among fall foliage in warm tones.
Young woman in white lace dress and brown boots standing in autumn field with colorful foliage background.
Family of five posing outdoors at golden hour with autumn trees in background.

🍁 November: Cozy, Earthy & Seriously Underrated

Do not sleep on November!

I think people sometimes assume November family photos mean bare trees, brown grass, and winter.

Not necessarily.

Early November can actually be BEAUTIFUL.

Depending on the year, Lebanon County may still have lingering fall color during the first week of November. And even after peak foliage passes, you'll often find rusty oranges, deep browns, golden grasses, and piles of leaves covering the ground.

It's less bright autumn and more cozy, earthy, moody fall.

And I LOVE it.

But November also has another major advantage...


🎄 Christmas Tree Farm Photos—BEFORE Thanksgiving


If you're hoping for Christmas photos this year, November before Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times to schedule a Christmas tree farm photo session.

Hear me out.


The Christmas trees are already Christmas trees. 😂


You get all of that beautiful deep evergreen color and instant Christmas-y feeling without needing snow, decorations, or December weather.


But you're also getting your photos done before the Christmas tree farms become packed with holiday crowds and, perhaps even more importantly, before we're all standing outside wondering why we voluntarily agreed to take family pictures when it's 32 degrees.


November Christmas tree farm photos give you the cozy sweaters, boots, evergreen trees, and Christmas-card feeling—often with considerably more comfortable temperatures.

Plus, getting them done before Thanksgiving gives you plenty of time to order Christmas cards and gifts without panicking in December.


Win. Win. Win.


✅ Best Features:

  • Early November may still catch some beautiful late-season Pennsylvania foliage.
  • Fallen leaves make a gorgeous carpet of color even after trees begin losing them.
  • Rich, earthy landscapes look amazing with creams, rust, camel, burgundy, navy, and other deeper colors.
  • Earlier sunsets make after-school sessions much easier.
  • Once we get past the October rush, outdoor locations tend to be less crowded.
  • Christmas tree farms give you an instant holiday look without waiting until December.
  • Photos are finished in plenty of time for Christmas cards and gifts.

❌ Challenges:

  • The later we get into November, the greater the chance that most deciduous leaves will be gone.
  • Temperatures become less predictable—and sometimes downright COLD.
  • Daylight disappears quickly. By November, we're working with much earlier session times.
  • Wind can make a 50-degree day feel considerably colder.

⭐ Best for:

Families who love cozy layers, earthy colors, fallen leaves, and a slightly moodier fall look—or anyone who wants Christmas tree farm family photos without the December cold and crowds.

Couple laughing and holding hands in a grassy field with evergreen trees and cloudy sky backdrop.
Pregnant woman in red gown holds toddler outdoors among golden autumn leaves on a forest path.
A parent holding a smiling baby in a red hooded jacket at a Christmas tree farm.

🍂 So... When Should I Book My Family Photos?


Here's my very unofficial Lebanon PA family photographer's cheat sheet:

Want wildflowers + lush greenery?

→ August

Want golden fields + warm weather + a hint of fall?

→ September

Want changing leaves but don't necessarily need PEAK color?

→ Early to mid-October

Want your best shot at peak fall foliage in south-central Pennsylvania?

→ The second half of October, especially around October 20–31

Want fallen leaves + cozy, earthy fall vibes?

→ Early November

Want Christmas tree farm photos without freezing your tush off?

→ November BEFORE Thanksgiving!


The truth is, there really isn't one "best" month for family photos. There's just the month that gives you the look that feels most like you.


And remember: beautiful family photos don't actually require the trees to perform on command.


Beautiful light, a great location, clothes that work with the landscape, and—most importantly—your people are what make the photos.


So if you have your heart set on a particular season, don't wait until that season arrives to reach out! October especially tends to fill up well in advance.


And if you're still not sure which month fits the look you're dreaming about, send me a message. Tell me what you have in mind, and I'll help you figure it out.