When to Book Your Senior Portrait Session

If you're starting to think about senior portraits, CONGRATULATIONS! This is a huge milestone for parents and students alike. One of the first questions I get about senior portrait sessions, is, "When should we schedule our session?" The best answer is - it depends. Whatever your style, your schedule, and whatever particular background you'd like to see in your images - that's how you decide when is the best time.

If your senior loves flowering trees, crisp new green grass, and golden sunlight, a spring session may be perfect for you. Wisconsin weather can be hard to predict, so I would suggest setting your appointment earlier in the season, in case we need to reschedule due to rain. Temperatures are pretty mild, perfect for those who prefer to wear layers.

Summer is the most popular time for senior portraits. School is out, most sports are in their off-season, sunsets are later, and the weather is perfect for a gorgeous outdoor session.

Open fields, chaotic cityscapes, and sandy beaches all make the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable portrait experience. Be sure to schedule a summer session months in advance, as they tend to book up the fastest.

If you love warm tones, all things cozy, and the red and yellow hues of a brisk Wisconsin fall, autumn may be a dreamy season for your session. Fall light is vivid and flattering, the landscapes are breathtaking, and the Wisconsin weather is great for layering. Bear in mind that most yearbooks require senior pictures to be submitted in late October, so check with your school to be sure that you allow enough processing time for your portraits.

Winter makes for some AMAZING images. It can be cold, so be ready to bundle up and take breaks to warm up in the car! Ice shelves on the lake, white-blanketed hills, and frost-

covered bridges are a chef's kiss. For most schools, winter sessions need to take place during Junior year for their yearbook submission deadline. At Painting with Light, we do things differently (because, of course, we do!) I absolutely LOVE a good winter session. So, if that is what your heart wants, I could set up two mini sessions. One in a different season, so we have an image in time for yearbook submission, but then you could have a whole second session in the winter.

Whatever season you choose for your Perfect Senior Portrait Session, make sure you dress for it. Not only will you be uncomfortable, but you will look very out of place if you're wearing a button-up shirt with a sweater vest in 95 degrees - or the other extreme, a sundress in 5 degrees! I guide clients to Pinterest, to start an inspiration board before planning your session. This will help you narrow down the perfect season for your session.

If you're needing more guidance for Planning your Perfect Senior Session, you can check out my other blog posts, and subscribe so you don't miss future content!

5 Tips for Choosing Senior Guys Outfits

5 Tips for Choosing Senior Girls Outfits

5 Tips for Choosing Senior Non-Binary Outfits

How to Build a Inspiration Board for my Senior Portrait Session