With the dawn of a new year, many families ask me the all-important question: “when is the best time to book a senior session?”. It makes sense that a new year would bring this question on, because it’s the time when we all evaluate the milestones and moments ahead of us…and what bigger milestone than senior year?
Traditionally, the summer after your junior year is when your “senior season” begins and when it’s recommended to begin booking and consulting photographers. This means that many people start securing their booking as early as that summer, but you can choose when it’s best for you. I recommend beginning to look at photographers during your freshman or sophomore year, because many (including me) book up as far as two years in advance, and you want to be sure to get the artist you are hoping for. You want to book as early as you can (even as early as freshman year) in the summer so that you get the date you want as well. There are so many other things like senior projects, family vacations, and graduation parties during senior year and those things can interact with the dates you want. Setting it early prioritizes the time and helps you focus on staying present emotionally and preparing adequately for your shoot!
What happens if you can’t book as early as you want to? Perhaps budget concerns or timing means that you don’t book as early as you want. This is understandable and means that you may not get the dates you need or want, but you can also choose an alternate style like a mini shoot or smaller experience if you aren’t an early bird during the booking process. Don’t let booking later than your friends stop you from getting the experience you want, but do understand that it is much harder to secure all the details at the last minute. I’m happy to help you think through the best solution for you at the time.
We recommend researching all the photographers you are considering during your sophomore year (some students do this during the summer before their sophomore year to get a head start), and looking into all their portfolios. A portfolio or blog is the best way to get a sense of who your photographer is and the kind of images that they produce. You want to look for consistency and cohesiveness in the style, but a variety in the poses and locations. You can view our portfolio and blog HERE.
In summary, remember that sophomore year is the prime time to be looking for and booking your senior experience! It will allow you to really focus on the excitement of senior year and have one less thing to do during a busy year. Book with us HERE.
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