Short Answer: YES!
Because this is a significant milestone. Graduating from high school is that first step into adulthood. For you and for your parents, guardians, teachers, mentors, and everyone who has poured into you to get to this moment.
It’s an important transition to document.
For some, you need a senior portrait to appear in the yearbook. Some schools have their own photographer who takes them, while other schools will let the students submit their own senior portraits.
Some seniors like to have their senior portraits for graduation announcements to friends and family, or graduation party invitations.
PPG Plaza, summer
And some seniors recognize the need in this new online society of having a photo to work as a headshot for social media. Whether you’re heading to college or into the workforce, having a professional portrait for LinkedIn or other hiring platforms can help you connect with others.
When should I schedule Senior Portraits?
Most senior portraits are scheduled over the summer between the end of Junior year and the start of Senior year. Summer is often when seniors have the most free time, making it easier to schedule.
Other seniors love to schedule in the fall. It’s often when they’ve typically had school photos taken, and so it fits. And many people just love our Western Pennsylvania fall foliage.
Your yearbook deadline is possibly one of the biggest factors to consider when scheduling your senior portraits. If you’re submitting a photo to the yearbook, you’ll want to be clear on submission dates when you schedule your senior portrait session. You can get this information by contacting your high school office. Even over the summer, while they might not have the exact date, they’ll be able to give you the month. And make sure to let your photographer know about the deadline so that they can plan to have your images ready in time.
What if you’re not a fan of summer or fall? What if life gets busy, and it’s now winter or spring?
Life happens. Sports schedules and work schedules get complicated. Your team ends up in the playoffs with extra practices and games. Or you didn’t think you wanted senior portraits. Now it’s January and as cap and gown orders are submitted, you’re starting to think you might like a senior portrait. Is it too late?
No. Not at all.
I schedule senior portraits throughout the year for a variety of reasons. Thanks to COVID, I even did a senior portrait session after the senior finished his first year of college. Like I said, life happens.
Scheduling senior portraits in winter or spring works well and just requires a little flexibility. For winter portraits, we have to be flexible with the weather. While our parks might look blah, those golds and browns with the blue sky can look absolutely beautiful. You don’t need colorful flowers or foliage to make a pretty setting. When I schedule outside, unless I’m planning for portraits with snow, I prefer to schedule when the temperature is at least in the upper 40s if we’re going to be outside. This allows both me and my subjects to be a little more comfortable.
Strip District, winter
If you still want color or if you just want to be out of the elements, there are plenty of indoor options for senior portraits. And those are options all year.
Phipps Conservatory, winter
So if you haven’t had your senior portraits taken or if you weren’t planning on getting senior portraits, please give me a call. Let’s talk about how to document this special milestone in a way that fits your style, your personality, and your schedule.
So now is the time to schedule your senior portrait session! Let’s connect and start planning a session that captures this special moment for you!
