Living in Northern California has so many perks, including having senior sessions almost year round outside! I mean, we are so blessed to be able to take advantage of all that the Sacramento area has to offer. Many girls finish out their Junior year, and start thinking of their senior portraits and wonder when is the best time to plan a senior session.  Below are examples of portraits from each  season and tips on finding the season that best fits you!

Spring

March through May

Spring is a gorgeous time in the Sacramento area. There are gorgeous flowers in bloom in the fields, the grasses are soft and green. It feels like everything is in bloom!  There are so many locations to take advantage of in the spring. Fields become vibrant with wild flowers, the lake is full and beautiful, and the natural greenery is lush and full.  Spring is always a favorite time to plan senior sessions and because Spring is in such high demand, be sure to book your senior session early! I have clients book Spring sessions 6 to 9 months in advance. Contact me today to grab a Spring date!

In early March (well all the way into May this year!) there is a chance that we may have to reschedule due to rain. But don’t worry, we’ll find a date that works for you!  Be careful of how close your session is to graduation.  If you need images for graduation announcements and would like all of your artwork prior to graduation or graduation parties, it’s recommended to have your session before May 1st.

Summer

June through September

Summer is a fantastic time to have your senior session. The number one reason is most seniors have a lot more time in the summer! They are relaxed, tan from soaking up the sun, and can easily fit in a senior session.  I also have so many parents comment on how it was so nice to have senior portraits done before senior year even started! In the summer, the fields have turned to the color of golden wheat and the gorgeous summer evenings provide the warm light that you just don’t find the rest of the year.  The natural flowers around the area are vibrant and in bloom.  It’s also easy to incorporate water into the portraits – such as the lake, a river, or a pool. It feels good to cool off in the water!

A summer session is especially recommended if you play a fall sport. The only bummer about the summer in Northern California is that it is HOT!! To beat the heat, we can always plan a sunrise session. A lot of seniors’ and their families like having senior portraits done at the beginning of the school year before everything get’s so crazy! Be sure to contact me for a Summer date.

Hannah’s gallery shows the gorgeous summer light and beautiful summer flowers.

Late Summer

August through October

Late summer is when senior year has just begun, and it’s no surprise that all seniors figure out they need to create senior portraits. So August through October is typically in high demand.  If this is when you want your senior session, get it booked early!  Grab your session date today!

Late summer is gorgeous. It’s still warm, we can count on sunny weather, and incorporate any location from the lake to the city. Senior’s can wear any wardrobe and feel comfortable. It’s still warm enough for rompers and summer dresses but senior’s can easily wear jeans and jackets to get a fall look.  And for a few weeks in the end of August early September, the sunflowers are in bloom! Grab one of these coveted session dates and take advantage of the gorgeous sunflowers that only bloom once a year.

Fall

October through November

There is nothing like fall in the Sacramento area! It’s stunning! The gorgeous fall colors, the coolness in the air are perfect to showcase a fall wardrobe such as sweaters, jackets, boots, and jeans.  In El Dorado Hills and Folsom, the leaves on the trees typically start changing colors in late October/early November. The fields are the color of golden wheat and the trees are still green.

Fall is in high demand!  We can usually count on the weather being clear and sunny through October, but in November there is a chance that we may need to reschedule due to weather.  When planning your senior session date, be careful of your school’s yearbook deadline. For a lot of schools in our area it tends to be close to mid-December. You will want to make sure your session is at least 6 weeks prior to the deadline so that you can use your images in your yearbook ad.  Talk to me today to grab a coveted fall date!

You can see full gallery’s of fall portraits in Cailin’s senior portraits, Chloe’s senior portraits as well as in Sami and Casey’s senior portraits.

Winter

December through February

Do seniors book sessions in the winter?? Yes, yes they do! If you love the snow, this time of year is for you! My senior girls love their snow sessions! We can incorporate classic cuddly wardrobe such as jackets, sweaters, scarves and beanies.  But we can also do formals in the snow. My senior girls LOVE wearing prom dresses in the snow. It is such a unique and amazing portrait!  It is also easy to incorporate your sport in your session such as skiing or snowboarding.

At Colleen Sanders Photography, we also now have indoor studio portraits. We can incorporate studio portraits with a snow session for a complete gallery of images that showcase your personality.

Example of our snow portraits are seen in our senior model snow session.