One of the most common questions I get asked is, “what is the best season to have my senior photos taken?” There are a few things to consider when determining what season is best for you: 1) What is your favorite season that fits your personality?; 2) What clothing do you like to wear the most during that season?; 3) Your schedule and what season works best for everything you have going on; 5) If you are sending out graduation party invitations or announcements, when do you need to send them out. Think about all of these things and then read below to see my thoughts on what the different seasons offer so you will be able to determine which is best for your senior photos!
Which Season Will You Choose?
Summer
You are officially a senior!! The last class just graduated and you are now stepping into their shoes. One of the first things you can do as a senior is to have your senior photo taken the summer before you start your senior year. June, July, and August leading into your senior year are all great months to have your senior photos taken. The weather can be extremely hot in Michigan in the summer so keep that in mind. But with the warm weather comes green grasses, sunflowers, pretty flowers, and long days with beautiful sunsets. If you are someone who wants to show off your tan, and you love the summer look of sundresses with sandals or shorts and cute tops, then summer could be perfect for you.
Because summer is less scheduled than during the school year, you will have plenty of time to prepare for your session and you won’t feel overwhelmed with school activities. Plus by having your senior photos taken during the summer, it’ll already be taken care of and you won’t have to stress when it comes time to graduate! You’ll already have it done!!
If summer is the perfect time for you, be sure to book your session in May before the summer starts so you have options for available dates!
Fall
School has started and you are getting the hang of being a senior! Fun school activities such as homecoming, football games, and other fall sports are in full swing! The days are getting shorter and there is a crisp in the air at night. September still gives us favorable weather where some summer outfits can still be worn, but it starts to cool down starting in October. Towards the end of October, the fall colors start to emerge.
By November, the temperatures are cooling off and the fall colors have officially arrived. If you love the orange, gold, red, and green of fall leaves and want that look for the background for your photos, then fall would be the perfect time to book your senior session. Think golden light, rustic settings, and vibrant colors as your backdrop.
And what about fall clothes?! If you love the idea of cozy sweaters, jeans and boots paired with hats then this is the perfect season for you. Texture and layers are key elements to fall looks and look amazing in photos!
If fall sounds like the perfect time for you, be sure to book your senior session in the summer so you can get first dibs on the best dates.
Winter
While winter may not be the most popular season for senior photos, it could still be the perfect season for you! Depending on the look you want, you can do something very urban during the wintertime or you could come up with a fun winter-themed concept for your senior photos!
Be sure to book your session during the fall so you can get all the available winter dates!
Spring
This is definitely the busiest time for senior photos, but it is also the busiest time for seniors! During the spring, you will be busy with spring break, prom, getting ready for graduation and so much more. So if you choose spring, be mindful of your busy schedule and make sure that the spring season works best for you.
March and April in Michigan can be unpredictable as far as the weather is concerned. Some days are warm and sunny and others are chilly and rainy. Just know that you may have to reschedule so you get the best possible day during the early spring months. But with the rain, comes beautiful flowers and green grass! So the backdrop during spring could be exactly what you want for your senior photos!
Parks are a great location for spring sessions because they provide green grass, leaves on the trees, and colorful flowers. And what about spring fashion? Well, if you are someone who loves to wear sundresses, sandals, rompers, shorts, or other fun spring clothing, then this season is the right one for you. Think white jeans with a fun-colored top or a boho sundress and sandals… all look great in the spring!
If spring sounds like the season for you, be sure to inquire during the winter months to get the available dates.
Graduation/Open House Announcements
Keep in mind your timeframe for sending out graduation party invitations or graduation announcements. If you are having a graduation party, you will need to send out invitations 3-6 weeks before the party, which means you will need your photos taken to use on those invitations before that. So make sure to book your session about 8 weeks before your graduation party to give yourself plenty of time to get the photos and send out invitations.
If you are doing a graduation announcement, you have a little more time. Announcements are generally sent out much closer to graduation and in some cases even on the same day you graduate. So your photos should be taken a few weeks or more before that.
So many decisions, so little time!
I hope this helps you decide which season is best for your senior photos! No matter what season you choose, I look forward to creating the perfect senior photo shoot that is all about you!!
Are you curious about booking with LaToya Jyadon Photography? Check out The Senior Experience page for all the details or contact me here.
Want to see some images through the seasons? Here are some galleries from past senior sessions.
Now that you’ve decided which season is best for you, it’s time to figure out what to wear.
