There’s nothing wrong with waiting until fall (or later!) to schedule photos, but once the school year starts, things can get busy quickly! Summer also happens to be an especially great time to get senior pictures done and out of the way! So here’s a little incentive to move you toward scheduling your session sooner rather than later: save $100 on portraits through the end of September! This applies to any portrait session with me! As usual, your retainer fee reserves your date, but this time you get to take $100 off the rest of the balance. If you also want more photos after September–say, in autumn or winter–you may want to consider a session during the summer (get in on the savings!) and an Encore session later. Encore is an additional shoot at another time and/or location, but for about half the price of a full session!

Summer is a wonderful time for family photos and engagement pictures, but here are a few reasons to take your senior pictures in summer–some of which are applicable to families and couples, too!

Five Reasons to Get Your Senior Pictures Taken in Summer

1. Get ‘er done!
   The biggest reason not to wait to schedule senior photos is because senior year is CRAZY BUSY!!!! It starts fast and doesn’t really let up until graduation! First it’s registrations for the SAT and ACT, then homecoming, mid-terms, scholarship applications, college campus visits, letters of recommendation…and all the while you have your classes that need your attention, as well as post-graduation plans (EVERYBODY will ask you, so get ready for it!), volunteering, maybe a job, and you’re trying to enjoy your last year with your friends. Check senior portraits off your list early so you can focus on other things.
2. You have more time to choose a favorite for the yearbook.
   Yearbook deadlines for senior photos are anywhere from November to January. Most portrait photographers are very busy from October to November, and it can take 2-3 weeks (or more) for your photographer to finish post-processing your images. You’d hate to be stuck with the photo on your school ID because you missed the deadline. If you take your senior photos in summer, you can have your picture turned in from day 1!
3. More scheduling and location options.
   As I mentioned above, photographers can be very busy in the fall. Many families have portraits taken at this time of the year so they can put together their Christmas cards. That means most photographers aren’t going to have many openings–especially on weekends. Additionally, public spaces like parks can be crowded with people taking their senior or family photos. Even if you opt for a week night, it seems like there’s always someone else who had that location in mind, too, ha ha! Furthermore, it might make you uncomfortable to have your photo taken when there are are others around. During the summer, you’re almost certain to have more session times available, as well as less-crowded locations.
4. You won’t be thinking about food.
   Arguably the best time for taking photos is 2 hours before sunset, which means that in the fall, this time can overlap with dinner. So although it might sound silly, summer’s extra hours of light allows you to eat dinner before you take your pictures.
5. You can enjoy your pictures all year.
   Whether showing off your pictures in your own custom app (WHAT?! Yep, I do that for you…for free!) or displaying your favorite shot on the mantle, you don’t have to wait to enjoy your photos. You’ve made it this far. Why not celebrate your accomplishments the whole year?!

 

Now you might be thinking…

“But school hasn’t even started yet!”
I know. It’s weird to think of taking pictures that define your senior year before senior year has really begun. I get it. I thought that, too, when I did my senior photos during summer. However, you can still book your senior photos toward the beginning of the school year to avoid frustration later in the year. Currently, my special pricing lasts through the end of September if you want to wait till the end of summer. Once school starts, you could be so busy that you’ll thank yourself for getting pictures done early.

“We’re going on vacation.”
No worries! It’s easy to schedule a session around your plans because most photographers have more openings during the summer. Besides, you might be tan for your pictures! Just watch out for sunburn, of course. Remember: sunscreen is your friend! 🙂

“It’s too hot!”
This is a fair point, I admit, particularly during July. If you’d prefer to avoid the heat, you could schedule your session in the morning while it’s cooler, or choose an afternoon or evening in June, August, or September.

“I can’t afford it yet.”
It’s true that great senior photos, or professional photos of any kind, aren’t cheap. That’s why I’m offering this special pricing for a limited time: because senior year is also packed with FEES. Standardized tests cost money to register, graduation fees are always looming, there are college application fees, don’t forget to order graduation announcements, maybe you want a class ring, and then there’s fun stuff like prom and nights out with friends. Being a senior is just plain expensive! Saving money on your photos early in the year frees up your hard-earned money for the potentially unexpected costs down the road.

 

I hope this helps! Check out these posts for guys and girls on preparing for your senior pictures!