Hello Seniors,

Planning your senior portraits? One of the top questions I get at The Senior Studio is “When’s the best time to book?”

Here are our top three tips to make sure you grab the perfect spot on the calendar—and get the most out of your session:

1. Book Early—Really Early (Think Winter or Spring of Junior Year!)

The best time to book your senior session is often long before you’re even thinking about graduation. Our calendar fills up fast—especially during peak months like June through October—so the earlier you reach out, the better the selection of golden-hour time slots, locations, and even weather.

✅ Pro Tip: Book in early spring of your junior year to lock in your ideal date for that summer or fall.

2. Choose a Session Date that Matches Your Style

Do you love sunflowers, fall leaves, or warm summer evenings? The season you shoot in can totally shape the vibe of your photos.

Summer (June–September): Lots of flowers & green grass, golden California sunsets, and, possibly most important, your flexible schedule. Norah's favorite locations for Summer: Garden Valley Ranch, the Sonoma Coast in the morning, and basically anywhere with a stunning sunset!

Fall (October-November): Cooler weather, dry grassy fields, and gorgeous fall colors. Think winter, without the rain. Do keep in mind, the sunsets happen earlier now. Norah's favorite locations for Fall: Ragle Ranch and Sonoma State University.
Winter (December-April): Cozy outfits, dry grassy fields, and perfect beach days. Norah's Favorite locations for Winter: Ragle Ranch, Downtown Petaluma or The Barlow, the Sonoma Coast.
Spring (March–May): Soft blooms, fresh energy, and perfect for last-minute bookings! Also a great time to celebrate with your cap & gown mini-session. Norah's favorite locations for Spring: Garden Valley Ranch, or celebrate your last days on your High School Campus

✨ Think about your personality and the look you want—then pick the season that matches! Thinking of an urban look like historical downtown Petaluma or The Barlow? Good News - you can book almost anytime for these sessions.

3. Keep Yearbook Deadlines in Mind

Every school is different, but many have yearbook deadlines as early as October or November of senior year. You don’t want to be rushed, or worse—miss the deadline!

If your school provides the formal yearbook photo, then you'll still plan for Senior Dedication Pages due around November - January.

📅 Booking your session a few months ahead ensures time for editing, delivery, and choosing your favorite shots for the yearbook.

Senior Galleries

Pop on over to our senior galleries - everything is organized by location.

It's super helpful to know exactly what each location looks like, so you can customize your session.

As always, we'll have a phone call before booking your session to make sure the location we've selected matches the look you want.

The Senior Galleries

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When To Book Your Senior Session

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