What Time of the Year Should I Take My Senior Photos?

While a big part of senior year is applying to colleges, some other important milestones happen senior year, too. One of them is the senior photoshoot. This week, I invited Suzanne Barnes, a portrait photographer in The Woodlands, Texas, to help you consider when to take your senior photos. (Hint: There’s no wrong answer, but there are pros and cons to each of the four seasons.)

There are a few decisions you’ll need to make as you plan your senior photoshoot, and when to schedule your session is one of them.

So, what season is the best?

In the end, it comes down to your personal preferences and the types of photos you’d prefer.

Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of each season to help you make the best choice.

An example of a senior photoshoot in the spring.

Spring

By scheduling your session in the spring, you may end up taking photos before your senior year, but that’s perfectly fine.

Pros

• You avoid the rush by getting your photos done early on.
• If you take your photos outside, it won’t be freezing cold or too hot.
• You’ll benefit from beautiful spring flowers and greenery as your backdrop.

Cons

• There’s always a slight chance of rain.
• If you wait to take your photos until the spring of your senior year — just weeks before graduation — you’ll definitely be missing your yearbook deadline, and you might not have printed photos for your graduation party.

An example of a senior photoshoot in the summer.

Summer

Summer is a popular choice for senior photo sessions because it’s such a positive time of the year.

Pros

• You get to enjoy more hours of sunshine and the warmth that the summer months offer.
• There’s no need to dress in any heavy layers.
• Your schedule will be far more flexible during the summer months.
• There’s the option of getting a tan before your session so that you have a natural glow.
• There’s generally an abundance of wildflowers, which look great in photos.

Cons

• The heat can be uncomfortable.
• The humidity can wreak havoc on your hair.
• There are far more bugs to deal with during summer.
• Because everyone is spending more time outside, you may struggle to find a public location that isn’t overly busy.

An example of a senior photoshoot in the fall.

Fall

Fall is also a popular season for many seniors across the United States — and for good reason.

Pros

• Fall colors make for some of the most beautiful backdrops.
• The hot summer temperatures have subsided, making it more comfortable to be outside.
• Taking your photos during the golden hour in fall will give them a beautiful soft glow.

Cons

• Because of the eye-catching scenes that fall creates, public spaces might be busier than usual.
• The sun sets earlier in the fall, and with a busier school schedule, it might be difficult to work in a photo session without missing some school.
• This is a popular time for senior photos, so you may struggle to find a slot with your photographer.
• We tend to have a lot of rain in the fall months here in Texas, especially in November.

An example of a senior photoshoot in the winter.

Winter

It might be a bit colder during the winter months, but you can still capture beautiful senior photos.

Pros

• Public spaces are a lot quieter, which means you have more locations to choose from.
• Because winter is not the first choice for most seniors, you can take photos that are more unique.
• Photographers generally have more slots available during the winter months.
• You can choose to have your shoot in a studio if you want a warmer location.

Cons

• The temperatures can make it too cold to use an outdoor location.
• There’s more cloud cover and the sun sets early, which can affect your photos.
• There’s generally a lack of greenery.
• You may miss your yearbook deadline.

Now that you have a better idea of what each season entails, you can continue planning your senior session at a time of the year that works for you.

Suzanne Barnes is a portrait photographer serving families and high school seniors in The Woodlands, Texas, and the surrounding areas. She’s passionate about saving your family’s memories and milestones, and she believes in getting images off of hard drives and into hands. You can learn more about her photography studio at www.suzannebarnesphotography.com.