What Season Is the Best to Take Your Senior Pictures? | Portland, Michigan Senior Photography
Are you done with junior year and headed into your senior year? That means it is time to start thinking about when you would like to have your senior photos taken! To start, it is easiest to think about what month or season you want to take your photos in ahead of time so you can start planning and schedule your appointment! Narrowing this down will definitely give you a head start!
Let’s take a look at what each season looks like to help you make your decision!
SPRING (March-May)
Spring is a great season! You can choose to do spring photos before your senior year (while you’re a Junior) or you can wait until spring of your senior year and get them done right before graduation! If you want a spring session make sure to double check when your yearbook photos are due to your school advisor. This may determine which year you schedule your photos.
Pros:
You can get your photos done early! When you do your photos in the spring of your junior year, you won’t have to think about them during your very busy senior year!
Everything starts to come alive in spring! Fresh flowers and greens are all starting to pop!
It’s not too hot or too cold in the spring so you can be comfortable wearing a variety of outfits.
You will have time for a second session! Getting a variety of senior pictures throughout your senior year is the best way to celebrate! Doing some in the spring is definitely a great choice for those who are considering multiple portrait sessions!
Cons:
There can be rainy, unpredictable weather in the spring.
Sometimes it can still be a little chilly outside, especially during early spring.
Gussie, 2023 graduate, chose summer for her senior portraits
SUMMER (June-August)
Summer is a very popular season for photos! The air is warm, tall wildflowers are at their peak, and the longer days give us more time to plan!
Pros:
It’s warm! If you know you want to wear a dress, a tank top, or summer clothes for your photos, then summer should be your top choice!
If you have access to them, wildflowers and Sunflowers are at their best in the summer! If you want to be surrounded by these for your photos this is definitely their time to shine!
You may have more flexible scheduling. A lot of sports and school activities take a break during the summer, so you’ll have a more flexible schedule!
A summer tan - need I say more?
You’ll easily meet your yearbook deadline! The deadline varies by school so by doing your pictures in the summer, you won’t have to worry about missing the deadline!
Cons:
It can get really hot. If your face gets red easily in the heat or if you hate being really warm, think about a different season instead.
Mosquitos. Summer is always filled with bugs. I always bring bug spray to combat mosquitos, but they still seem to find a way in.
People. More crowds are out this time of year enjoying their summer. If you are headed to a busy place, keep in mind that there may be a lot of people to work around.
FALL (September-November)
Fall is a super popular season, for obvious reasons! This is my most requested season and typically starts to fill up 6 months in advance!
Pros:
Fall in Michigan is perfect for senior pictures. The red and orange leaves always make for beautiful photos.
Goldenrod is a gorgeous yellow plant and I am always on the lookout for it!
Cooler temperatures. If summer is too hot for you, fall is a great alternative!
A gorgeous golden hour. Some of the best golden hours happen during the Fall in Michigan!
Cons:
Fall colors are unpredictable. The color peak changes every year, so it can be hard to predict when exactly it’ll be the most colorful. A windy day can also knock a lot of leaves down.
The further you get into fall, the earlier the sun sets. When Daylight saving time gets here, sessions have to start much earlier, which means missing school or sports.
I have less flexibility. My fall dates fill up EXTREMELY fast, so you have to plan ahead and book early if you want a fall date!
Aaron, 2023 graduate, chose fall for his senior session
Winter (December-February)
Winter pictures are so unique because not many people do them. It may be cold but the photos can be beautiful!
Pros:
Snow-filled pictures are so pretty when it is a nice fresh snow.
No crowds, you get space all to yourself!
Not many people get their photos done in the winter so yours will be unique!
I have a more flexible schedule in the winter. If your date arrives and there’s no snow on the ground, I’m okay moving it until we get a good snow!
Cons:
The cold! Winter can definitely be uncomfortable at times.
Sessions in the winter have to start much earlier since it gets dark so early.
Unless you have planned ahead, you may be missing the yearbook deadline because most senior photos for the yearbook are due in the fall.
As you can see, each season has a lot of pros and cons, you just have to choose which one suits you the best! If you make sure you are going to get your photo to the yearbook in time by the deadline, you can make most any season work!
Are you ready to schedule your session? Reach out here!