Let Me Tell You Why the Beginning of the School Year Is a Great Time for Senior Portraits

As the school year kicks off, there's a whirlwind of excitement, anticipation, and planning. Amidst the hustle and bustle and excitement of beginning your senior year, one thing often overlooked is scheduling senior portraits. Here’s why it’s so important to prioritize this at the start of the school year.

1.Embrace the Summer Vibes: In the South, it is still summer for a few months. Yes, it is hot, but if you want that summer "vibe" in your images now is a great time! By opting for senior portraits early in the school year, you can still capture the essence of your last "high school" summer but with much smaller crowds. The warm sun, relaxed vibes, and vibrant colors can all be seamlessly incorporated into your portraits, giving them a laid-back "beachy" feel.

2. Beat the Busy Schedule: As the school year progresses, schedules will fill up rapidly with academics, extracurricular activities, and social events. Getting your senior portraits done early ensures you have one less thing to worry about during the hectic months ahead. It's also important to note that many schools have early deadlines for things like senior yearbook ads. Think September! Having your portraits done helps you not to feel rushed when gathering everything for these special sentiments.

3. Love the Feeling of Fall? Waiting until October or November opens up the opportunity to infuse your portraits with the cozy charm of fall. Think rustic backdrops, golden leaves, and perhaps even incorporating your favorite fall activities like football into the shoot. It’s a fantastic way to capture the changing seasons and add a personal touch to your portraits.

4. Perfect Timing for Gifts: Planning ahead allows you to have your senior portraits ready in time for the holiday season. Whether it’s for Christmas presents or to share with family and friends, having your portraits done early ensures that you have ample time to order prints, create photo albums, or customize gifts.

5. Avoid the Graduation Rush: March to May is the busy season for senior portraits, with many waiting until the last minute to schedule their sessions. By having your portraits done earlier, you avoid the rush, ensuring a seamless process and timely delivery of your images for graduation announcements or invitations.

It's important to note that scheduling your session well in advance is key. Photographers often have busy calendars, especially during peak seasons. Booking 3-4 months ahead ensures you secure your preferred time slot and gives you peace of mind knowing everything is in place.

Additionally, considering the changing daylight hours, weekends may become the primary window for outdoor shoots as days grow shorter. Planning early ensures you have flexibility and can choose the perfect time for your session without being limited to scarce daylight hours.

Senior portraits are not just about capturing a moment but about freezing time and creating lasting memories. By scheduling your session at the beginning of the school year, you capture a snapshot of this sweet season and ensure a less stressed, less rushed experience that helps create some snapshots of who you are at this exact moment in time!

Whenever you are ready to schedule your senior portraits, please feel free to shoot me an email (april@aprilgraysonphotography.com) or fill out my contact form HERE, and we will get you on your way to some beautiful senior portraits!!!