When is a good time to take your senior photos?
I get this question all of the time, so I decided to pay attention to the timeline trends this year and how my seniors decide to use their photos. My two thoughts are: 1 - think of what you will need these photos for and when will they be needed. 2 - When do you have the most time in your schedule? Choose that time without thinking too much about it.
Think of how you will be using these photos and when those will be due?
college applications
senior highlights for your school and their social media
Christmas gifts
sorority or fraternity applications
grad announcements
just for fun! :)
Summer
This is usually a bit more of a relaxed time without too many scheduling conflicts. Of course there are summer jobs and trips, but generally the summer feels a little more open for upcoming seniors.
If you’re hoping to have a tan and grab your photos before your senior year gets super full with sports, events, prom, college tours, etc then my opinion is have your photos taken in the summer. :)
Fall
It’s the start of your senior year and there’s so much excitement about being in the final part of your high school career! This can be a fun gift to yourself and your family to commemorate this time.
I see a lot of seniors come in at the beginning of their school year before a bunch of activities start and while their tan is still here. :)
This is also a really fun time to post your photos and begin celebrating all of the fun parts of being a senior.
Just remember, the Fall semester gets really busy the further you get into October and November - holidays and trips, college tours, final push for grades to send in with school applications.
My advice would be to schedule your senior photos earlier in the Fall before you forget and can’t find a time.
Winter
January and February are also really great months to plan for your photo session. And it’s usually pretty open for me as well!
This is post-holiday rush, the beginning of your final semester in high school, if you’re rushing with any sororities or fraternities they usually ask for a photo or two of you, planning ahead for grad announcements, gifts to your parents or grandparents, etc.
The start of the new year usually comes with a list of final things for you to do before graduation. So be thinking and planning for how you may want to use these photos and snag them before the Springtime takes away all of your free time.
Spring
I’ve seen a couple of students this year choose to end their senior year with a senior photo session to celebrate! They don’t typically need them for anything specific, this is more as a gift to themselves to say goodbye and hooray. I love this and I am totally up for it!
Just keep in mind, this tends to be the busiest time of your senior year. Finals, prom, college signings, end of clubs and sports, graduation, and parties typically take up this time of year and your calendar can get WILD.