The Four Best Seasons to Visit Southwest Florida | Sanibel Island Photographer

Top 4 seasons for visiting Southwest Florida and for, of course, scheduling your family portrait.

So I have four favorite times of the year here in my wonderful home state. They are spring, summer, fall and winter (in no particular order). Yep, I love every single season spent in Southwest Florida. I know a lot of people have some issues with our summer heat, and yes, it does get chilly here a day or two in January, but overall there really isn't a bad time to visit this little corner of the world. There are a few things however to consider when planning family pictures that vary from season to season. 

1. Summer. Yes, it is hot and humid. But don't let that deter your visit, and definitely don't put off the family portrait. Although our afternoons can be steamy, that's when you lounge at the pool and float around the gulf on a pool noodle. I typically schedule my family beach portraits for late afternoon leading up to sunset. By that time of day it gets noticeably cooler. Sometimes we do have to work around late day showers but those storm clouds are what makes for the best sunsets, and we get some amazing ones here in the summer months.

2. Fall. It's starting too cool off, days are getting shorter and our beaches are usually pretty quiet. It's that time of year when I meet my clients for their family portrait and we are the only ones on the beach. If you ever want to have Sanibel and Captiva Islands to yourself, plan a trip in September. Fall is also the time of year when I have tons of families planning their photographs for their Christmas and holiday cards. We offer a nice variety of cards that are perfectly matched for family pictures with the blue water and soft sand, so if you're thinking about a fall vacation, it's an excellent time to get professional pictures and check off those holiday cards too!

3. Winter. This is the time of year when every northerner who is tired of shoveling snow finds themselves here in Florida. With this being such a popular time I do tend to fill up my family portrait schedule, so planning ahead is important, but it is definitely worth it because it is a great time for pictures. Sweater weather (as much as we see here in SWFL) makes for a nice time to add a blazer or cardigan to the portrait style. We also get better views of the sunset on Sanibel Island during the winter months. Although that late day color tends to cover the sky from end to end pretty much all year long so it's always a spectacular backdrop for family portraits. And of course if you procrastinated and didn't get Christmas cards out, there's always the New Years cards! Yep, we do them too!!

4. Spring. The first half is a continuation of winter traffic and snowbirds visiting, but then it quiets down, usually just after the Easter holiday. We start to get some warmer temps but usually not the late afternoon showers yet. Family beach pictures in the spring are great because there is no risk of it being cold and still a low risk for rain. It is still a popular time though and my appointments fill up. Scheduling a professional portrait before you arrive on Sanibel or Captiva is definitely a good idea.

So there you have it. The four best times of the year to visit Sanibel Island as well as Fort Myers Beach, Naples and really all of the SWFL area. I live here and I like it all year long but I think it's even more perfect anytime when you're here on vacation. So plan that trip, schedule your family beach pictures and let me know what your favorite time of the year is in SWFL! I'm all for extending my pro's and pro's list with more reasons to visit during every season! 

Photographer Krista Kowalczyk has been photographing families on Sanibel and Captiva Island since 1998. She has photographed over 1,000 family portraits on the islands and continues to maintain a long list of repeat clients who have made their time with Krista part of their annual vacation tradition.