The Seasons in WNC
I love the seasons we have here in Asheville.
Whether you’re getting married or having photos taken of a beautiful home or outdoor portraits for your small business, it’s good to know what the environment will look like in your photos.
The setting, lighting and season will all make a big difference!
A quick note for my interiors clients:
If you’re thinking, “I just need photos of the inside of this house”, consider the landscaping, the view through windows and photos of the exterior of the home. I chat about the natural setting with all of my clients so we all know what to expect!
We’re in the South, but we’re also in the mountains.
Asheville, North Carolina is located in the southeast of the United States but we’re also in the mountains which creates an amazing year of seasonal changes. Let me walk you through what each season brings.
Spring
Late March - April
Spring is the trickiest season to predict. March could offer us warmer days and March can also bring snow! The last bits of winter are wearing off in March and April so you’ll get both worlds - mostly bare winter branches mixed in with the pink flowers budding.
Once the greenery starts to bloom, it begins as a bright lime green then slowly grows into a rich dark green in the summer. For your attire, you’ll want to wear layers in the spring here to accommodate varying temperatures.
Summer
May - September
Summer brings warm long days, humidity and vivid greenery everywhere. As we inch toward July, the weather heats up. Early summer weeks are incredibly pleasant and often underrated! June is one of my favorite months to photograph during.
The greens are filled in by late May and the shades of green will grow darker as summer months pass.
Autumn
Late September - November
Autumn in Asheville is dreamy and people flock here to enjoy the leaves changing color in the mountains and cooler temperatures. This is our busiest time of year! Plan in advance for fall in WNC.
We’ll have golden yellows, rusty oranges and a range of reds popping up everywhere. The leaves start changing color in higher elevations first (late September). So if you’re taking photos toward the end of fall (late October and early November), stick to lower elevation spots to find color! Heading high up into the mountains? Plan for an earlier fall date.
Winter
December - Early March
Winter is a cozy time of year where outdoor activities are limited. Our winters have become more mild over the years but it wasn’t long ago that you’d see lots of snow at the end of winter - in March!
A winter setting brings bright blue skies (low humidity!) but little other color. Expect lots of browns, textured bare branches and cold temps for your attire.
The biggest hurdle for these months are the road closures. The Blue Ridge Parkway often closes legs of its 469 miles due to winter weather. Even if the Asheville area is sunny and pleasant, the roads leading to many hiking trails and mountain viewpoints could be inaccessible due to ice inside the many tunnels.
For your attire, you’ll be bundled up to stay warm for your photos in the winter! Keep that in mind when envisioning your look - you may be in a coat, boots, hat, mittens.
For homes and rental properties, consider booking a shoot in winter and in summer or fall. Summer and fall will already be attracting lots of tourists but winter is quieter. It’d be nice to show how appealing your spot is in the winter too, to help bookings in the slower tourism months.
In Closing
When considering how you want your photos to look, remember the time of year matters! Whether you’re planning an outdoor wedding or taking photos of your tiny home to rent, the seasonal changes will set the tone for the final images.