One of the most common things I hear from visitors is: "We didn't realize we needed to book in advance — we thought we'd just find someone when we got there." Sometimes that works out. Often it doesn't — at least not at the time, light, or location they wanted. Here's a straightforward guide to timing your booking.
The Honest Answer: 2–4 Weeks Minimum, 2–3 Months for Peak Season
For most of the year, booking 2–4 weeks before your trip is enough time to secure your preferred time slot and have a good back-and-forth conversation about what you're looking for.
But Aruba's high season — roughly December through April — is a different story. The island fills up, and so do photographer calendars. If your trip falls during the holidays, spring break, or a major local event like the Soul Beach Music Festival, I'd recommend booking 2–3 months in advance to be safe.
Why the Time Slot Matters (And Why That Fills Up First)
As I covered in my post on the best time of day to shoot in Aruba, golden hour sessions are the most popular — and there's only one sunset per day. On a busy week, I may have sessions booked for sunset across multiple days. The specific time window you want is often what fills up first, not the date itself.
If you have your heart set on a golden hour session on a specific evening (say, your last night in Aruba), don't wait.
Book Before You Arrive, Not After
There's a temptation to wait until you land, get settled, and then figure out the photo session. The problem is that by then, you've already lost days — and you may be working around a schedule that's no longer flexible.
Booking before you arrive also gives us time to:
Talk through what you're envisioning
Confirm the right beach location for your group and style
Plan around your travel schedule and the light
Answer any questions about what to wear, where to meet, and what to expect
The whole process goes smoother when there's no rush.
What to Have Ready When You Reach Out
When you contact me, it helps to have:
Your travel dates (arrival and departure)
How many people will be in the session
A general sense of what you want (relaxed beach session, romantic sunset shoot, family portraits, etc.)
Any specific date preferences or days you're already busy
From there I can let you know availability, suggest a time and location that fits, and get everything confirmed.
Aruba will be beautiful whenever you arrive. The photos just get better when there's a plan behind them.
