Wondering when to book senior photos? I’m here to help! This is actually a question families can look forward to answering. After all, with all of the meetings, deadlines, and emotional “lasts” you face senior year, this is something fun to check off your to-do list. (And then you can look forward to a professional gallery of images that will live in your heart and your home for years to come!) So let’s get started. Let’s talk about when to book senior photos, when to schedule your shoot, and why waiting can seriously limit your options.

Before You Book Senior Photos

Before you book senior photos, there’s a few things you’ll need to do. First, determine your budget. I recommend doing this first, since your price point will dictate your photo package. And that’s where you start! Knowing your package details will determine how many outfits/locations to plan, how long of a shoot to prepare for, and the number of images/turnaround time for your gallery to be delivered.

Next, define your style. This means everything from your clothing and any props you want handy, to photo locations, and a senior photographer who can deliver your vision. My advice? Make it YOU! Do you love sunsets? A golden hour session at Garden of the Gods never misses. Extracurriculars? Be sure to bring your uniform, equipment, or instrument. Did you eat or study at the same handful of haunts throughout your 4 years? Pick one (or a few!) for a joy-filled senior session that captures the moments exactly as they happened. These are the looks, the people, and places that defined your years of education. The ones you’ll remember fondly every time you look at your images. Make sure you recognize the you in each one! Need some tips and outfit inspo? I’ve got you covered here on Instagram.

Then, check the calendar. Gone are the days of awkward class photos. Students are submitting their own yearbook photos senior year, but there’s often a deadline. Don’t let it catch you off guard! If you’re hoping to use senior photos for graduation announcements, grad party invites, family gifts, thank you notes, etc., I recommend working backward. When is the yearbook deadline? When are graduation events? How far in advance do people need to save the date? How long could printing and shipping take once you’ve designed announcements? Make a mental timeline, and be sure your photographer can deliver your images when you need them. Be sure to take those dates and turnaround times into consideration when choosing a date to book senior photos!

When to Book & When to Schedule

The best time to book senior photos is in the spring of junior year. You’ll want to schedule your date 3–4 months in advance, as popular photographers fill up by May/June for summer and fall sessions, since those are peak times for seniors and weddings. Most schools require yearbook submissions by October or November, making the summer before senior year the most flexible time, and your best bet for relaxed photos!

That’s why I recommend booking your senior photos in January-March of junior year, and shooting your photos in June, July, or August before your senior year begins. Why so early? This date range ensures better weather, better availability, and avoids conflicts with fall commitments, sports, and activities. The best way to guarantee relaxed, joy-filled photos? Scheduling your senior photo shoot in the months when you’re the most relaxed! Think sun-kissed, no homework, and no tests to study for or papers to write.

Of course, your senior photos should feel authentic to you! If you want your gallery to include cozy sweaters and gorgeous fall foliage, book by June for a September or October shoot. (Just double-check the yearbook deadline first!) If you want your images to give sundresses and springtime blooms, book by Christmas for a March/April photo session.

The bottom line? Don’t delay. Summer and fall weekends fill up fast! Between your busy schedule and your photographer’s event calendar, waiting to book can seriously limit your options. Are you a junior and ready to lock in your date? Let’s chat! Check out the details of my Senior Experience here, and then send me a message.  I’ll get back to you within 72 hours with everything you need to know about partnering with me for your senior year!

Styling senior pictures can be tricky. You want to capture the time in your life accurately and represent your own unique style. At the same time, these photos can (and often do!) serve as your go-to portrait for resumes and applications that require them, brand building throughout college, and even representing your professional presence online. Let’s face it. We don’t take a lot of portraits in our lives. Your senior pictures will likely bridge from your senior year to your first set of professional headshots—which not everyone gets around to doing! 

So how do you take a portrait that captures you in your senior year AND who you want to be in the years to come? Keep reading. Let’s talk senior pictures—and how to NOT be embarrassed by them 10 years from now.

Things to Embrace

Color scheme. A consistent color scheme is always a great choice when you’re taking photos. And choosing one for your senior pictures will make designing your graduation/grad party invites and thank you notes a breeze! It will also give you a ready-made look and feel with consistency across all future resumes and personal/professional websites. Choose neutrals for clothing and accessories, or rich tones that complement your skin tone. Looking your best will never go out of style! Need some help? Check out my personal inspo here.

Mix and match. Be sure to bring a few different coordinating looks to your photo session. Think casual outfits and dressier ensembles. Not only will that allow you to showcase more of your personality today, it will give you a variety of options depending on what you need in the future. Look for classic combinations, and use layers to add some depth to your look. Don’t forget to tie it all together! Shoes, accessories and jewelry can help bring every shot to life. 

Comfort and confidence. As a photographer, I can tell you this with confidence: If you feel uncomfortable, you’ll look uncomfortable! And believe me, that discomfort will come across in your photographs. Likewise, if you feel comfortable, that will shine through your images, too. Choose clothing and locations that you love—things you feel confident in! They’re your photos. Represent yourself well. 

Things to Avoid

Logos and branding. I know you likely don’t give it much thought now, but a big old “Adidas” logo might not serve you well if a Nike recruit gets your resume and checks out your LinkedIn. Or heaven forbid there’s a celebrity scandal that makes that band tee you love age worse than you’d hoped. Save those staple pieces for casual snaps and selfies with friends. For your official senior pictures, it’s best to leave the text and images behind.

Busy patterns. I know they can be fun, but crazy prints and patterns not only date you, they draw attention away from the subject—you! Unless it’s a school or college logo, stick to solid colors or subtle patterns that don’t distract from your face. Whether you’re using these photos now or years from now, the focus should be on you! And that will never change. 

Trendy silhouettes. Fashion trends cycle in and out of style as quickly as they appear. In the everything’s-instant culture of social media, and in an industry that introduces new things weekly, it’s easy to gravitate toward what’s “in” now. But that’s the thing… it’s in now. Avoiding trendy silhouettes is a mindful approach to fashion that can showcase your personal style, rather than what’s in style. Choosing timeless, well-fitting garments over fleeting fads will show a more sustainable, authentic, and confident wardrobe. And that creates photos you’ll be proud to share for years to come! 

Senior Pictures: Custom Sessions

Gone are the days of sitting for your yearbook photo and calling it a day. And gone are the days of stuffy studio portraits! Now, rather than being at the mercy of what’s available, you can work with your photographer to bring your fully customized vision to life. Interested? I’d love to unpack your perfect senior pictures. Check out my senior session packages here, then go ahead and send me a message. Your graduation will be here before you know it!