El Paso Senior Graduation Photos | When’s the Best Time?

To start, can you believe I never shared my own daughter’s graduation photos?

You would think I would have posted those somewhere on social media, but let me tell you, senior year is crazy.

It’s bananas.

Especially when your child is involved in extracurricular activities the way mine was.

It’s the last year. You’re making every minute count. You’re showing up to all the LAST things. You’re crying at night when you realize how quickly it’s all going, and yet, if we’re being honest, there’s also a little part of you that wants to make it to the finish line.

Plus, I just wanted to hold onto it for a little while.

I don’t always want to share. I’m the quintessential example of someone who wants to share everything and keep everything to myself at the exact same time. I choose one way and stick to it, until it’s time to share.

Having just experienced it all for the second time, when people ask me when the best time to take senior photos is, my answer is always: as soon as possible. Don’t wait if you don’t have to.

But I get it. Every senior has their own busy season, and getting ready for senior pictures can feel like one more thing on an already very full calendar. Some seniors are involved in sports, dance, theater, clubs, or other activities. Some are waiting for caps and gowns. Some want special outfits or graduation announcements incorporated into their session.

So here are my recommendations when you have some flexibility.

THE EARLIER, THE BETTER

If you don’t care about having your cap and gown in your senior portraits, then I say do your senior session as early as possible.

For many seniors, September through November can be a great time.

Fall break is especially helpful because your senior is already out of school, which can make finding a weekday session much easier. And if your senior has a packed spring schedule, getting their portraits done in the fall means one less thing to worry about later.

It also gives you time.

Time to choose your favorite images.

Time to order announcements.

Time to make senior ads.

Time to print photographs for graduation parties.

And, perhaps most importantly, time to actually enjoy senior year instead of realizing in May that you still need senior pictures.

BUT WHAT ABOUT CAP AND GOWN PHOTOS?

This is where things can get a little tricky.

Sometimes caps and gowns don’t come in until later in the school year. If having those photographs is important to you, I completely understand waiting.

My advice?

Order them as soon as you possibly can.

Or, borrow a set.

We actually did a set of pink cap and gown photos for my daughter, and they were so much fun. We got those done early, along with some dance photos, because I wanted those photographs finished before the year got completely crazy.

And if your senior is in the running for a different colored gown, I get it. You may have to wait for that information or for the actual gown to arrive.

But if you don’t have to wait?

Get that gown as early as possible.

YOUR SENIOR WILL NEED PHOTOS ALL YEAR LONG

And here’s another thing I didn’t fully appreciate until I lived through it.

They are going to ask you for photos.

A lot of photos.

Senior ads. Graduation announcements. Programs. School events. Dance. Sports. Banquets. Awards. Senior night. Graduation parties.

Suddenly everyone needs a photograph of your kid.

Having your senior portraits finished early means you already have a beautiful collection of images ready to go when those requests start coming in.

And trust me, they will.

SO, WHEN SHOULD YOU TAKE SENIOR PHOTOS?

If you’re asking me for the short answer, earlier is better.

If your senior is graduating in the spring and you have the flexibility, I would look at September through November for their main senior photography session. Fall break can be an especially convenient time to schedule.

If you want cap and gown photos, find out when your school will have those available and plan around that. And if you don’t need the official cap and gown for your session, there is absolutely no reason you have to wait until spring.

But ultimately, there is no one perfect month for every senior.

Some kids are busy. Some families have sports schedules. Some want fall colors. Some want spring. Some want studio portraits. Some want something completely different.

And then there’s May.

May often becomes Senior Grad Month.

I get it.

Everything backs up. The school year is ending. Graduation is suddenly right around the corner. You realize you still need a few more photographs, and before you know it, you’re scrambling to get everything done.

Totally normal.

I’m here for it.

So if you’re sitting there thinking, Okay, we’re already in the middle of senior year and we haven’t done this yet, take a breath.

You’re not behind.

Just get it on the calendar.

Because senior year goes by ridiculously fast, and whether you take your senior portraits in September, January, March, or May, the most important thing is that you have photographs that feel like them.

And someday, when you’re looking back at that last year, you’ll be really glad you did.