So the spring season flies by with prom plans in the making and graduation on it’s way. I always recommend setting your senior session date early to avoid any headaches — or even worse, skipping senior photos all together!

April through May are the best months to capture all the greenery and florals that spring has to offer. If you want to schedule your senior session around any of the spring blooms, here’s when you can expect to see them:

• Tulips — early April (1st and 2nd week)
• Cherry Blossoms and Magnolia Trees — mid to late April (3rd and 4th week)
• Blue Bells — late April to the beginning of May

Picking a location (or 2!) is the first step in styling your senior session. Think about what types of scenery you enjoy and be creative! I love pairing natural scenery with more urban locations. Here’s a few unique places you could take your senior portraits this spring:

• A greenhouse. Picture all the plants and flowers! (+ it’s indoors so weather isn’t a problem)
• Downtown murals. This is a fun way to add pops of color to your photos!
• Museum or Arboretum/Garden. You’ll typically see unique architecture and lots of perennial gardens with in-season florals. (Some of these spots even have cherry blossoms in the spring!)
• Willow trees. A springtime favorite for me! (Thee draping branches catch light so elegantly)
• A creek at a local park. Water is such a fun element to add to your photos. (Bonus points if you’re down to splash around for some fun poses!)
• A field at sunset. This is the classic choice year-round. I love a good golden hour and if you’re lucky, we could catch the perfect sunset.

Can you guess my favorite thing to plan when it comes to senior photos? Outfits! These are the boxes you want to check when choosing each fit:

• A casual, everyday look is essential. Pick something you know you’re comfortable and fits you well. This outfit should represent the most authentic you.
• With you’re second outfit pick, I always recommend to step it up a knotch. Choose something a little more dressy than usually. (Something that makes you feel confident!) I usually recommend some kind of dress for the girls and maybe a button down for the boys.
• If you play a sport or are a part of a club/activitiy, this is your chance to highlight it. Bring your sports jersey (+ your sport’s ball, stick, etc.), club tee, or any activity uniform.
• If you’re a spring grad, chances are you have a cap and gown ready or your college decision made. Feeel free to bring along a college tee to rep your university or your cap and gown for a cap toss.

I hope you’re feeling a bit more at ease when it comes to planning and maybe a little inspired with a vision for your senior portraits. I wish you all the best for the rest of your senior year — make the best of these last few months! If you’re ready to book your senior session or you want more information on what a session with me looks like, find the link to contact me. I can’t wait to hear from you!