Best Season for a Senior Session

One question I always get is “When is the best season for a senior session?” And the answer is “it depends.” I will say that summer and fall come in as a tie for me, personally, but there are so many factors to consider. I encourage families to look at this realistic senior session timeline to help figure out when you can expect the finished images and products, and then work backwards from there to determine the best session date. When in doubt, book early! But there are definitely pros and cons for a senior session in every season – read on for the scoop:

Why Choose a Summer Session?

PROS:

schedules are more relaxed and there aren’t any extracurricular activities or homework/tests/etc.
days are longer and it doesn’t get dark until 8:00 or 8:30, allowing lots of time in the evening
you’re already tan – no need to consider a yucky faux glow
crepe myrtles are blooming and summer color palettes are bright and fun (yellows, pinks, blues, greens)
wardrobe is light and airy: flowy tops & dresses, shorts sets, sandals, straw hats
you will easily make the yearbook ad deadline with photos from your session
it’s done early in the year so that you can cross it off your long senior to-do list

CONS:

it’s hot and humid – not ideal if your hair is prone to frizziness or you are prone to sweating heavily
mosquitos can be everywhere
August is the rainiest month of the year, so you will need to be flexible in rescheduling due to weather (it’s also hurricane season)

Why Choose a Fall Session?

PROS:

the weather is IDEAL – the most humid and rainy months are over but it’s still warm enough
golden hour lighting is dreamy in the fall
you can incorporate wardrobe pieces that span summer AND fall styles for a wide variety of looks (sundresses to denim jackets, sandals to boots)
you will make the yearbook ad deadline with photos from your session (typically need to be submitted by December)
if you participate in fall sports (football, volleyball, cross country, swimming, girls golf and tennis, cheer), you will have your uniform & gear available if you wanted to incorporate it into your session

CONS:

the tail end of hurricane season is usually the most active – be prepared to reschedule for weather
schedules can be intense with college tours, SAT/ACT testing and college applications
days are getting shorter, requiring that sessions take place in the afternoons
it’s the most popular time to schedule sessions, making availability a challenge (hint: schedule EARLY!)

Why Choose a Winter Session?

PROS:

tourists are scarce and downtown Charleston isn’t crowded, so we won’t need to fight for popular locations
this is the best season for stunning sunsets, which can be a beautiful backdrop
the Lowcountry has so many evergreen trees and shrubs – it doesn’t even look like winter in most places (gorgeous camellias bloom this season, too)
college applications are finished (whew!) and the beginning of the semester is usually less intense, allowing for more relaxed schedules – you may even have begin receiving college acceptances and have made your decision
cooler temps allow for fun layering of sweaters, jackets, hats, etc. with no sweating (or bugs!)
if you participate in winter sports (basketball, wrestling, cheer), you will have your uniform & gear available if you wanted to incorporate it into your session

CONS:

it can be cold (average high temp in January is 59°) and windy
days are SHORT and it gets dark fast – sessions must be scheduled in the afternoon which may conflict with school activities
you will miss the deadline for yearbook ads
paler skin, no tan

Why Choose a Spring Session?

PROS:

nothing compares to the flowers blooming in Charleston in the spring – from azaleas to wisteria to jasmine to oleander – these make for some impressive and stunning backdrops
the weather is as good as it’s going to get with warm temps and low humidity (equivalent to fall)
you have made your college decision and will have your cap & gown
if you participate in spring sports (lacrosse, baseball, soccer, softball, track, boys tennis & golf), you will have your uniform & gear available if you wanted to incorporate it into your session

CONS:

no-see-ums (they definitely deserve their own category) are atrocious at sundown
you have missed the deadline for yearbook ads (but may still have time to order grad announcements)
we are beginning to feel the end-of-year crunch with a million activities – scheduling can be a delicate balancing act and rescheduling due to weather and illness can start to get tricky

When in doubt, it’s best to schedule your senior session as early as possible. Senior year is going to fill up in a hurry, and you don’t want the end to be a chaotic mess (this year I had THREE sessions in May that had to scramble to reschedule due to COVID – don’t let that be you). Ready to book your session? CLICK HERE to get the ball rolling.

Still have questions about which is the best season for a senior session? 📞Schedule a quick call with me and I can help you make the best decision!