When Should You Book Your Senior Photos?

"It went by so fast!"

That's a consistent refrain I hear from my seniors and senior parents alike. They think that they're going to have this year of life to enjoy making memories to sustain them both through the next chapter of life, but the reality of the season is that it's far more busy than they're prepared for.

The senior photo session inevitably ends up being much more than just another line item on a long list of to-do's. It becomes a milestone moment: A chance to pause, reflect, and preserve a fleeting season before everything changes.

When you book your senior photoshoot can make or break the entire experience, and unfortunately the memory of this transitional period of life by proxy. Here are eight reasons you should book your senior session as soon as possible.

1. Premium Dates Go Fast

Early summer and fall sessions during Golden Hour are premium real estate in the photography world, especially in places like Fort Worth, Aledo, and the rest of Parker County where good weather and soft light don’t last forever. And since there’s only one Golden Hour each day, prime spots go fast.

2. Senior Year Fills Up Quickly

Senior year is a whirlwind few see coming. Between classes, sports, work, campus visits, school events, applying to college, and trying to squeeze in a social life, it's no wonder why senior year feels more like an all-out sprint than a marathon. Booking your session early alleviates the stress and pressure of trying to fit it in to an otherwise bustling schedule.

3. Rescheduling is Easier

Booking earlier also means avoiding last-minute rescheduling headaches in the event of extenuating circumstances. Illness, weather, life, school events, campus visits among many other unforeseen events can result in a need to reschedule your shoot. Booking early not only means having more available dates to reschedule, but it also means not sacrificing the quality or vibe since the shoot plan is already locked in.

4. You'll Have Time to Plan a Better Experience

Outfits, hair, makeup, locations, props, lighting, and film stocks (when applicable) all require thoughtful planning as we build the plan for your experience together. All of that takes time. Regardless of how long we have to prep for your shoot, we'll get through it. But when we have ample space to dream and to plan, the results speak for themselves!

5. Hair and Makeup Coordination is Easier

At this stage of my life, I don't have hair. However, my wife has thick, gorgeous hair! When you have great hair, not just any hair stylist will do. Great hair deserves a great stylist, and the great ones book up fast. Booking early means you can secure the right artist at the right time to match the vision and vibe for your shoot.

6. Print & Yearbook Deadlines Sneak Up on You

Depending on where you live, it is likely your school has specific deadlines seniors have for submitting senior photos for different publications. Many moons ago when I was a senior myself on the yearbook staff, we held off on final submissions for senior pages until early spring. Of course, we didn't get our yearbooks until the following September back then.

Nowadays, even I find myself surprised how early in the year deadlines for yearbook photo submissions are. Booking early means less stress, no scrambling, and not paying your photographer extra for priority to turn your photos around on time, if they offer that as an option.

7. Editing & Product Turnaround Takes Time

Most photographers have their standard turnaround time and then their seasonal turnaround time. For myself personally, my standard turnout time from photoshoot to the photo curation session is 5-7 days. With a film shoot maybe an extra week depending on how backed up the film lab is. From the time orders are placed during the photo curation session it's about another week before the client has their prints in hand.

Once we get into the thick of team sports season and senior photo season in the fall, those time frames go from days to weeks. It's not uncommon to be 3 to 4 weeks out on edits during the busy season. Booking early means getting in front of the rush resulting in shorter turnaround times.

8. These Photos Deserve More Than Last-Minute Energy

And honestly, so do you. My goal is always to provide you with an experience you'll relish and premium prints you'll cherish for years long after you've completed this chapter of your story. These photos will outlive the rush of senior year. They'll bring you back to Friday night football games, inside jokes with your best friends, and everything that made this season yours. Booking early allows us to plan something honest, meaningful, and fun without undue pressure or stress that can steal from the moment.

Ready to book your senior session? Click the button below and let's get to work!