I often get asked “When should I book family photos to have the most beautiful fall leaves in the background?” It’s a great question, and somewhat hard to predict. The temperature and rainfall leading up to and during fall have a big impact. But after photographing Pittsburgh families year after year, I’d bet money on having beautiful fall foliage in mid to late October. Here’s a breakdown:
Mid September: Summer vibes
Late September: Likely still very green
Early October: It’s a bit of a gamble. Early October can be somewhat colorful with fall leaves, but it’ll likely still be pretty green.
Mid October: Great chance of having some (or potentially a lot) of very beautiful fall leaves.
Late October: Great chance of having fall leaves in abundance!
Early November: This is a bit of a gamble, but early November is sometimes right at peak and often times past peak.
Mid November: There might be a few trees still hanging on, but you’re getting into “stick season” as Noah Kahan calls it.
Late November: You missed it. Find a location with nice architecture.
So there you have it, booking photos in mid to late October will give you the best chance of having colorful fall leaves on trees for family photos in Pittsburgh!
But let’s not hate on September… there’s nothing wrong with green trees! And you’re far more likely to get warm temps. If you have a baby, go for warmer temps rather than colorful leaves. A happy baby is more important than fall leaves.
And if you’ve missed peak fall foliage, bundle up and pick a location with nice architecture. It’s not too late to get a gorgeous photo for your Christmas card!
