You may know from seeing your friend’s photos that summer is a popular time to have senior photos taken. But what you may not know is a lot of planning goes into picking a session date before the day actually arrives. So where do you start?
Many photographers “open” their calendars in January to plan for the upcoming year. This is a good time to reach out to the photographer you would like to work with. At the VERY latest, 3-4 months BEFORE you want your pictures taken is a good rule of thumb. Keep in mind that many seniors want a summer evening session. So to get your preferred date, the sooner you book the better!
Not sure what season you want your pictures taken? Let’s consider a few things:
If you need a photo for a yearbook, that gives you a deadline. These deadlines vary by school and can range from October-January. You’ll also need to consider time between your session date and when you receive your full gallery. I pride myself in quick turn around times. You’ll never be waiting months for your photos! All galleries are delivered within two weeks of your session date with me. That gives you a little more flexibility in dates when booking with me. So, with that in mind are you a winter, spring, summer, or fall senior?
Summer is most popular and for good reason. The grass is green, it’s warm, the sun glows, flowers bloom, and it’s my birthday! (I may be biased about summer). Here in Montana if you’re looking for tall green grass and wildflowers June and July are your months. If you like golden fields and sunflowers August is a good fit for you.
Spring is another option that I wish more people took advantage of! Montana spring is short, but it comes in full force! I LOVE including flowers in my sessions and a Montana May or June is the time to do just that.
Fall is second in popularity when it comes to booking availability. Who doesn’t love the way the cottonwoods around the Yellowstone ignite in yellow. Fall colors can be unpredictable, but late September and early October are the best chances for capturing these colors.
Last but not least is winter. This can be a tricky session date due to yearbook deadlines and unpredictable weather, but it’s not out of the running. A snowy backdrop with some evergreens can make for some beautiful photos! November can be a perfect time for this, before it gets too cold.
No matter which season you choose to have your senior session in, pick one that feels like you. And let’s capture your true beauty and joy in any season.
Ready to start planning your senior session date? Let’s chat!
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