There are a few decisions you’re going to need to make as you plan your senior photoshoot and when to schedule your session is one of them.
So, what season is the best?
In the end, it comes down to your personal preferences and the types of photos you would prefer.
Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of each season to help you make the best choice.
Spring
By choosing to schedule your session in spring, you may end up taking photos before your senior year, but that’s perfectly fine.
Pros
● Avoid the rush by getting your photos done early on.
● If you choose to take your photos outside, it won’t be freezing cold or too hot.
● Benefit from beautiful spring flowers and greenery as your backdrop.
Cons
● There is always a slight chance of rain.
● You might feel awkward taking photos before your senior year, but it doesn’t need to be. Plus, you can always choose to do another session later in the year.
Summer
Summer is a popular choice for senior photo sessions because it’s such a positive time of the year.
Pros
● You get to enjoy more hours of sunshine and the warmth that the summer months offer.
● There’s no need to dress in any heavy layers.
● Your schedule will be far more flexible during the summer months.
● There’s the option of getting a tan before your session so that you have a natural glow.
● There is generally an abundance of wildflowers, which look great in photos.
Cons
● The heat can be uncomfortable.
● There are far more bugs to deal with during summer.
● Since everyone is spending more time outside, you may struggle to find a public location that isn’t overly busy.
Fall
Fall is also a popular season for many seniors across the U.S. and for good reason.
Pros
● Fall colors make for some of the most beautiful backdrops.
● The hot summer temperatures have subsided, making it more comfortable to be outside.
● Taking your photos during golden hour in fall will give them a beautiful soft glow.
Cons
● Because of the eye-catching scenes that fall creates, public spaces might be busier than usual.
● The sun sets earlier in the fall and with a busier school schedule, it might be difficult to work in a photo session without missing some school.
● Since this is a popular time for senior photos, you may struggle to find a slot with your photographer.
Winter
It might be a bit colder, but you can still capture beautiful senior photos during the winter months.
Pros
● Public spaces are a lot quieter, which means you have more locations to choose from.
● You have the option to take photos in the snow.
● Since winter is not the first choice for most seniors, you can take photos that are more unique.
● Photographers generally have more slots available during the winter months.
● You can choose to have your shoot in a studio if you want a warmer location.
Cons
● The temperatures can make it too cold to use an outdoor location.
● There is more cloud cover, and the sun sets early, which can affect your photos.
● You may miss your yearbook deadline.
Now that you have a better idea of what each season entails, you can continue planning your senior session at a time of the year that works for you.
If your senior photo session will be your first professional shoot, you’re probably wondering what you should be doing in front of the camera. While your photographer is there to guide you through your photo session, it still helps to have an idea of how you would like to pose.
Here are some simple tips to help get you started.
1. Consider Your Best Features.
If you had to choose, what are your best features? What features would you like to accentuate in your senior photos? This could be your jawline, your chest, or your shoulders. Whatever features you would like to accentuate should be closest to the camera. Speak to your photographer about your favorite features ahead of time so that you can both plan accordingly.
2. Natural is Better.
When it comes to posing for your senior photos, it’s best to stick to poses that look natural. Poses that have you sitting down or leaning on one knee are just some examples of what looks good and not forced in front of the camera.
3. Don’t Worry about Your Hands.
A common complaint among people who get in front of a camera for the first time is that they don’t know what to do with their hands. Don’t worry about hand placement too much. Once you get into it, your hands will naturally find a place in your pockets, at your sides, or folded in your arms.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Move.
Photographers actually prefer it when you move around a bit. This doesn’t have to be big movements either. Simply moving your head around can add some variety to your senior shots. Again, your photographer will guide you but if you feel nervous and find yourself stiffening your head or jaw, let them know.
5. Have Fun.
You will always get the best shots when you approach your senior shoot with a relaxed mindset. You are here to celebrate an important milestone, so have some fun with your photographer. These photos are meant to highlight your personality after all.
If you want to be extra prepared, head over to a site such as Pinterest to find some ideas for poses. You can also browse your photographer’s portfolio for inspiration.
If you want to capture a few new family photos before the year comes to a close, you need to decide on a location. And with the cooler weather setting in, a studio shoot seems a lot more appealing. Is it the right choice for your family photo session though?
Here’s why a studio is a great setting for your upcoming shoot:
- No need to reschedule. When you select an outdoor location, you need to be okay with the fact that the weather might change for the worse. When you schedule a studio session, there’s no need to worry about rescheduling.
- Warmer, comfortable conditions. Not everyone loves being out in the cold, which means a family photo session can quickly become unpleasant. With a studio session, everyone is warm, comfortable, and happy. The result is more photos and more time to experiment.
- It’s a contained environment. Shooting at an outdoor location makes it much harder to contain your children and your pets – this isn’t the case with a studio shoot. When you shoot in a studio, you get to capture more photos because your kids can’t go very far. What’s more, most studios have a few distractions such as toys available for children, allowing parents and older siblings to capture photos of their own.
- Flexible time options. When you shoot outside, you need to play along with the light. Shooting an hour after sunrise and an hour before sunset is ideal. When you work in a studio, all the lighting you need is already there. This means that you have more options available to you in terms of the time of your session.
The good news is that families generally have fewer commitments and social engagements in winter, which leaves more time for a family photo session, even more so if you choose a studio setting.
