When To Take Senior Portraits

So you're finally ready to take your senior portraits? Hurray! The next thing you may be asking yourself: When do I take my senior pictures? Deciding on when is an important decision as this will determine the look and feel of the images you’ll receive.

Preferred Season of the Year for a Senior Photoshoot

Spring and fall will give the brightest range of colors as tree leaves and flowers bloom and wilt away. Open fields and botanical gardens are excellent spots during this time of year. Wooded areas are also great, especially in the fall as yellow and orange leaves fall to the ground.

The cooler weather during the spring/fall months are also ideal for your senior photoshoot. More mild temperatures also means that you can comfortably wear clothing from all seasons without sweating or freezing.

Summer is also a great choice for senior photos as most flowers, trees, etc will be in full bloom. The extra hours available during daylight savings time also gives you more flexibility in planning times for your senior photoshoot.

Another thing to consider during the summer time is the heat. Care should be taken if you decide to take your senior pictures in the summer so that you avoid heat exhaustion or stroke. Consider planning your shoot either in the early morning or later in the evening to cut down on your sun exposure.

Winter can also be a fun season to shoot senior portraits, particularly during times when there is snow. Frolicking in snow piles or camping out by the fireplace are just some of the many winter photoshoot ideas you can think of that wouldn’t normally be available during the summer months.

Just like heat can negatively impact a summer session, frigid temperatures are something you’ll want to consider. Dress in layers and limit the time you spend outside, especially if temperatures can be near or below freezing.

Time of the Day is Key for Great Senior Pictures

One thing you may hear photographers mention constantly is a term called “golden hour”. This refers to the hour right before sunset or just after sunrise, which gives a more reddish and softer light than the middle of the day. Harsh, mid-day suns create unflattering looks that will cast hard shadows and make you squint in all your pictures. If time allows, we recommend waiting until golden hour to get the best possible light for your senior portraits.

Scheduling Senior Photos Around Sports and Extracurricular Activities

This may be less of an issue during the summer time when school is out. If you are planning on getting your senior pictures done during the semester, you’ll want to think about what day of the week will work best. Do you have practice or rehearsals on particular days? When are finals? 

Don’t try to cram too much into one day, especially if you’ll need time to get ready for your senior pictures. When scheduling your photoshoot, make that the only thing you do for that day. Everything else (e.g. hair, makeup, wardrobe planning) should all revolve around your photoshoot. This singular focus will help you relax and better enjoy your time in front of the camera.

If you’re involved in sports or extracurricular activities, what months are you most busy? Much like trying to avoid packed daily schedules, we want to consider a time during the off-season for your particular sport or activity. This will help keep the stress down from trying to focus on two different things at the same time.

One caveat we’ll mention to this: uniforms. In some instances, you may not have access to your school uniforms until just before or after the season starts. If this is the case, and you want to incorporate that sport into your senior photoshoot, it may be beneficial to schedule your session during this time.

Plan on Enough Time to Order Graduation Announcements

If you’re planning on using the images to go on to your graduation announcements, timing is key. To avoid mad rushes to the printing store, allow enough time for the photographer (*cough* Talva Photography) to edit the images from your session. Editing and processing images from a senior shoot takes time, more so for longer sessions with multiple locations and outfit changes. Your photographer will more than likely need a few weeks to edit your images and return them to you, so please be patient. This is why we say give yourself some breathing room to allow not only for getting your images back from the photographer, but also in ordering the announcements or invitations from the printing company.

Should I Take My Senior Photos During My Junior or Senior Year?

Really, either way is fine. Some people want to schedule their senior session during the spring of their junior year, while others will wait until after the junior year ends. Both will work and there is no wrong or preferred method. The benefit of doing your session during your junior year is that you get to check one (big) thing off your checklist. Again, don’t sweat it if it’s the springtime during your senior year and you haven’t had your pictures done. You’ll still have time to get them done, though don’t wait too long!

Think About Available Locations For You Senior Portraits

If you have a special place in mind, you’ll want to research the location first. Are there permits that are required? Do you need to obtain special permission from the property owner? Does your desired location even allow photography on their premises?

If a certain spot has special significance for you, you may want to consider how or if you want to incorporate that into your photoshoot. Do you go camping or hiking to a particular park? Is there a coffee shop or library you like to go to? These kinds of questions

Do You Want Cap and Gown Session As Part Of Your Senior Graduation Photos

Are you going to want pictures with your cap and gown? Typically, caps and gowns will not arrive until closer to graduation. Cap and gown sessions are an excellent opportunity to get some great images that will complement the other outfits you choose.

Some photographers may set this up as an additional session, or set aside a smaller amount of time if it will be cap and gown only. You may wish to have your regular senior portrait session first, then follow up with a cap and gown session. Or you may opt to only have one or the other. Either way, make sure it’s how YOU want to approach senior photos.

Coordinating Your Senior Photos With Family Pictures

One thing we have seen, and kinda like to be honest, is when a family is inspired to have family portraits taken because of their senior’s photoshoot. We like to see a family’s love and support come through in a family photo with their graduate.

Some things to consider. First, are you wanting a single picture with the grad, then the rest of the session be solely about the senior? Or do you want a longer length session with lots of family photos along with plenty of senior shots? If you’re thinking more of the latter, you may wish to ask your photographer about scheduling a separate family photoshoot. One or two shots of the family with your senior might be okay, but it takes away focus from the senior’s experience if his or her’s session is dominated by family pictures.

There is a bit of strategy when it comes to planning when to take senior portraits. With a little forethought and some diligent planning, you will definitely come out ahead of those scrambling last minute to schedule a senior photography session the week of graduation.

Don’t wait until the last minute to schedule your very own senior photo session. Contact us today and let’s start the conversation!