What’s the best time of year to schedule your senior photoshoot?
Senior photos are usually scheduled during the spring or summer before your senior year, or the fall or winter during your senior year. Realistically, however, you can have your senior pictures taken any time – as early as the spring of your junior year, or as late as the summer after your high school graduation!
First, there are a few logistical considerations to take into account to help you determine your own deadline.
- What is your school’s yearbook deadline, and how important is it to you to submit a senior photo to the yearbook?
- Are you sending out graduation announcement cards? When do you need those by?
Next, after you’ve answered the questions above to determine your own deadline, I suggest thinking about the way you want your senior photos to look. Do you picture yourself standing in a tall, grassy field illuminated by golden sunlight? Surrounded by a field of colorful spring flowers? Cozied up in autumn attire in the middle of a grove of fall trees? Book your senior photos for the season that fits your vision the best.
Here’s what you should know about each season:
Spring (March to May)
Pros:
- Flowers start to bloom! Expect tulips, daffodils and blossoming trees in early spring, and peonies, rhododendrons, and lilacs later in May. This is a great time to book if you want to be surrounded by lush greenery and spring flowers.
- It’s relatively warm out. Especially toward the end of spring, you most likely won’t have to worry about staying warm during your photoshoot.
- If you book your photoshoot during the spring of your senior year, you can bring your cap & gown along for some grad shots!
- You’ll get your photos done early and in plenty of time for your school’s yearbook deadline.
- The days start getting longer. Near the end of May, the sun doesn’t set until 9pm! Spring can be a good time to fit a photoshoot into your busy schedule.
Cons:
- It could feel a little early to have your senior photos done when you’re finishing up your junior year. But, if you have your heart set on spring flowers and still want to submit a photo to the yearbook, the spring of your junior year is your best option.
- April showers bring May flowers – and the showers sometimes continue on through May. The weather can be a little unpredictable, but I’m always flexible with rescheduling as needed.
- You might be preoccupied with finals and schoolwork nearing the end of the school year.
Summer (June to August)
Pros:
- The weather is consistently sunny and warm!
- Flowers are continuing to bloom everywhere! Each month of summer brings new, beautiful flowers, including wildflowers fields.
- Grasses are tall and starting to dry out. I personally love a tall field of dried grass as a summer photoshoot look!
- You’ll likely have a more flexible schedule since you won’t be in school. This makes it easier to book your photoshoot.
- You’ll meet the deadline for your school’s yearbook.
Cons:
- None! Summer is a great time to book your senior photoshoot.
Fall (September to November)
Pros:
- Fall colors! Fall is one of my favorite times of the year for photoshoots for this reason. The colors tend to peak in October, but it’s beautiful out all season long.
- The weather can still be nice through fall! The sun still comes out for many crisp fall days, and it usually doesn’t start to get super cold until late October. It’s great weather for jeans and a sweater.
- You’ll still (probably) meet your school’s yearbook deadline for submitting your senior photo. Deadlines are normally anywhere from October to December, so be sure to check with your school well in advance so you know when to schedule your photoshoot.
- Flowers are still going strong! Sunflowers, dahlias, and roses all bloom in the fall.
Cons:
- The days start to get a little shorter, especially with daylight savings in November. This can make scheduling a little more difficult if you have a busy school/work/extracurricular schedule.
- My schedule fills up quickly during this time of the year! Fall is when your school will remind you that your senior photo deadline is coming up – so lots of seniors book during this season, and my calendar tends to book up fast. I’d suggest booking spring or summer if you don’t want to take any chances with missing your yearbook deadline.
Winter (December to February)
Pros:
- Unique photos! Most seniors don’t book their photoshoots in winter, so your photos will stand out. In the winter I like to focus on urban, waterfront, and snowy adventure locations.
- Depending on when you book, there’s a chance you’ll still get your photos submitted by your yearbook deadline! Some schools have deadlines as late as January.
- You can always book a studio photoshoot! If it’s cold outside, you can have your senior photoshoot (or part of it) at a cool studio setting and we can get creative.
- My schedule is pretty open during winter, so you shouldn’t have a problem booking a date.
- Pair your senior photos with a family photoshoot for holiday cards!
Cons:
- The weather. Overcast days are actually great for portraits because of the diffused lighting, but days with the heavy rain… not so much. Thankfully my schedule is flexible during the winter months and we can easily reschedule if needed!
- It’s cold, so you’ll want to plan on a warm outfit for your photoshoot. I would advise against sandals or short sleeves. If you’re freezing on camera, it will show!
- Winter days are the shortest days of the year. This means you’ll likely want to book a weekend date, or you may have to step out of class for your shoot if you book a weekday.
- You may also miss your yearbook deadline at this point. Just make sure to check with your school the spring before your senior year.
I hope that helps you decide when to book your senior photoshoot!
Feel free to check out the different senior photo packages I offer here.
You can book a photoshoot with me here. If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email at beckyfullerphoto@gmail.com and I’m happy to help!
