When to Take Family Photos for Holiday Cards in Jacksonville: 2026 Timeline & Tips
If sending holiday cards is on your list this year, you may be wondering when you actually need to schedule your family photos. The answer is probably a little earlier than you think.
Between scheduling your session, receiving your finished gallery, choosing a card design, ordering, and mailing everything, the weeks leading up to the holidays can go quickly. Here in Jacksonville and St. Augustine, Fall is also one of the busiest times of year for family photography.
A little planning now can make the entire process much easier.
When Should You Take Family Photos for Christmas Cards?
For most families, September through early November is the ideal time for holiday card photos.
This gives you enough time to receive your finished gallery, choose your favorite images, design your cards, and place your order without feeling rushed.
If you'd like your cards ready to mail around Thanksgiving or shortly afterward, I recommend having your family photos completed by early November whenever possible.
And don't overlook September. Here in Northeast Florida, September still gives us beautiful outdoor sessions while giving you more flexibility with dates and one less thing to worry about once the holiday season gets busy.
Your Holiday Family Photo Timeline
September: Get Ahead of the Fall Rush
September is perfect for families who like to plan ahead.
Your photos don't have to look like “Christmas photos” to work beautifully on a holiday card. A Ponte Vedra beach session, oak trees, greenery, or a waterfront location can all create a beautiful backdrop.
Scheduling in September also means you'll have your finished photographs well before the holiday rush begins.
October: Prime Family Photo Season
October is one of the most popular months for family photos in Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra, and St. Augustine.
The temperatures begin to become a little more comfortable, the evenings are beautiful, and your session is still early enough to give you plenty of time for holiday cards.
Because October dates tend to book quickly, I recommend reserving your session in advance, particularly if you need a weekend or have a specific date in mind.
Early November: Still Plenty of Time
Early November is another great time for holiday card photos.
If your session is scheduled during the first couple of weeks of the month, you'll generally still have time to choose your images and order cards before December.
This is also when I offer some of my Jacksonville and St. Augustine holiday mini sessions, which can be a great option if your main goal is updating your family photo and getting a small collection of beautiful images for your holiday cards.
Late November: Keep Your Card Deadline in Mind
You can absolutely take family photos later in November, but at this point you'll want to pay attention to your photographer's turnaround time along with printing and shipping times for your cards.
If you're hoping to mail cards at the beginning of December, an earlier session will give you much more breathing room.
And if your cards arrive a little later? That's okay too. There is no rule that says every Christmas card has to be in the mailbox on December 1.
What Should You Wear for Holiday Family Photos?
You don't need matching Christmas pajamas or everyone dressed in red and green for your photos to feel festive.
In fact, I usually recommend coordinating rather than matching.
Soft neutrals, warm earth tones, muted greens, dusty blues, creams, burgundy, soft pinks, and seasonal textures can photograph beautifully while still allowing your images to stay on display in your home long after the holidays are over.
The location you choose can also help guide your wardrobe. Soft neutrals and muted colors are beautiful at the beach, while deeper colors and layers can work especially well with greenery or the historic architecture of St. Augustine.
When you book a family session with me, I also provide styling guidance so you're not left trying to coordinate everyone's outfits on your own.
Not sure if a Holiday Mini Session or Full Family Session is right for you? Click on the article to learn more.
Best Locations for Fall and Holiday Family Photos in Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra & St. Augustine
One of the best things about planning holiday family photos in Northeast Florida is that your session doesn't have to look traditionally “Christmas” to make a beautiful holiday card.
From beaches and oak trees to historic streets and waterfront parks, we have plenty of options.
Here are a few of my favorite locations for fall and holiday family photos.
Mickler's Landing in Ponte Vedra Beach
For families who want classic Florida beach photos, Mickler's Landing in Ponte Vedra Beach is a beautiful option.
The dunes, sea oats, wide beach, and soft sand create a simple backdrop that keeps the focus on your family. It's a great choice for families who want photographs for their Christmas cards but also want images that can stay framed in their home all year.
And yes, beach family photos absolutely work for Christmas cards.
You don't need snow or evergreens to create a beautiful holiday card, especially when you live in Florida.
Guana Preserve in Ponte Vedra
Guana Preserve is another favorite for Ponte Vedra family photos and offers a more natural Florida feel.
Depending on the area we use, Guana gives us coastal vegetation, trails, dunes, and beach scenery. It's a beautiful option if you love the beach but want your session to have a slightly more organic, natural look.
Historic Downtown St. Augustine
If you'd like something completely different from the beach, Historic Downtown St. Augustine is one of my favorite choices.
The historic architecture, textured streets, greenery, courtyards, and charming corners throughout the city give us plenty of variety within one session.
As we get closer to the holidays, St. Augustine also begins to take on a festive feel, making it an especially fun location for Christmas card photos.
Castillo de San Marcos & the St. Augustine Bayfront
The area surrounding Castillo de San Marcos is another beautiful option for St. Augustine family photos.
The fort, coquina walls, palm trees, waterfront, and views along the Matanzas River create a backdrop that immediately feels like St. Augustine.
It's a great choice for families who want some of the historic feel of downtown while still having open space for children to move around.
Nocatee Intracoastal & Waterfront Locations
For families in Nocatee and Ponte Vedra who want something coastal without going to the beach, the Nocatee Intracoastal and waterfront areas are a great alternative.
Palm trees, docks, greenery, and views of the Intracoastal Waterway give photographs a distinctly Florida feel without sand and ocean waves.
These locations can also work beautifully for younger children who need room to move around during their session.
Twenty Mile Park in Nocatee
Twenty Mile Park offers another option for Nocatee family photos, particularly for families who prefer greenery to the beach.
Its natural setting works beautifully with fall wardrobes and gives your holiday card a warm, relaxed feel without looking overly seasonal.
Bird Island Park in Ponte Vedra Beach
Bird Island Park is a great option for families looking for greenery and a natural setting in Ponte Vedra.
The paths, native landscaping, water features, and greenery create a softer backdrop than the beach and can work especially well for morning family sessions.
Johansen Park in Atlantic Beach
For families closer to Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, or Atlantic Beach, Johansen Park in Atlantic Beach is another beautiful option.
Mature palms, greenery, and open areas give photographs a distinctly Florida look without heading onto the beach. It's particularly pretty for morning family sessions when the light comes through the trees.
Alpine Groves Park
If you're drawn to oak trees and Spanish moss, Alpine Groves Park offers a completely different look.
The oak canopy, greenery, and riverfront setting create the kind of warm, natural backdrop that works beautifully for fall family photos and holiday cards.
Which Location Should You Choose?
There really isn't one “best” holiday photo location.
A family who spends every weekend at the beach may love Mickler's or Guana. A family who loves St. Augustine might choose the fort or historic streets. And another family may feel much more at home surrounded by oak trees and greenery.
I help my clients choose a location based on their children's ages, the time of day, where they live or are staying, and the overall look they want for their photographs.
You can also read my complete Guide to the Best Family Photo Locations in Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra & St. Augustine for even more ideas.
Don't Wait Until Everyone's Schedule Gets Busy
One of the biggest reasons I recommend booking fall family photos early actually has very little to do with photography.
It's everyone's schedules.
Once school is fully underway, sports get busy, weekends fill up, visitors start arriving, and holiday events begin. Suddenly finding an evening when everyone is available becomes much harder.
Booking your session early gives you a better choice of dates and one less thing to figure out once the holiday season begins.
Learn about what to wear for your Fall family photos here
Jacksonville & St. Augustine Fall Family Photos
I photograph families throughout Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Nocatee, Atlantic Beach, and St. Augustine, with both private family sessions and a limited number of fall and holiday mini sessions available each year.
Whether you're planning photos specifically for your Christmas cards or simply realizing it's time for an updated family photo, fall is one of my favorite times to get it done.
Choose a session and location that work for your family, get it on the calendar early, and when December arrives, you'll be very glad your photographs are already finished.
Ready to plan your 2026 fall family photos? View my upcoming fall and holiday mini sessions or contact me to plan a private family session.
