Feb 13, 20214 min read

A Year of Memories / 4 Season Photoshoot

I offer the ultimate year-round photography session collection to document your important year! You could split this package any way you’d like. A good example would be a newborn, six month, first birthday and a family session. You could also use this for two children’s birthday portrait photo shoots and one extended family session. You can pick which seasons you want, do them all in one month, or split it into 2 extended sessions…it’s totally up to you and what fits YOU best. If your outdoor photos involve water or other activities or elements that may require you to do them on a separate day from your other photos or you want to travel further away from home for some of your photos which would require scheduling your studio portraits on a separate day this is a great option. Travel fees may apply for locations more than a 1 hour drive from Grand Blanc. For the purpose of this blog I am going to give an example of a Year of Memories senior photography package that can highlight your entire senior year.

This package can give the senior four different portrait locations, four different seasons, four different make-up styles, four different hair styles and, oh so many outfit changes! Would you like to add on a sports themed session on the school field or court? Do you want a seperate session that includes the siblings, best friends or parents or even family pets? Smoke bombs, cool cars, special out-of-town locations, the possibilities are endless. Every senior wants their photos to be different and unique.

SPRING

Spring sessions in southeast Michigan are beautiful because everything is green and blooming! The flowering spring trees in May are gorgeous! I recommend scheduling your spring senior photography sessions during April and May. Some seniors come back at the end of their senior year for a session for prom photos, cap & gown pictures, or during the spring blooming season. We start to see trees blooming and flowers start popping up. By spring the weather has usually warmed up enough to wear dresses, rompers, off the shoulder tops, tank tops, etc. Typically the weather is not too hot to make you sweat, or cool enough to make you cold. Be aware that Michigan spring weather can be unpredictable, plan in advance & plan for a rainy day.

Most garden sessions should be scheduled for the spring, since that is when everything is green and in bloom. For this flower filled session we had to push back to June and head out of town, since that is when lavender farms are at peak blooms and it was totally worth it. Likewise, sunflower sessions would also be scheduled in late summer, since that is when they bloom in Michigan.

SUMMER

Michigan has so made beautiful bodies of water and pictures in or around lakes, ponds, creeks, etc are great for the summer. Summer portraits are the most popular time for many seniors because their school and activity calendar tends to be a bit more flexible. The huge advantage for summer is that there is an abundance of daylight! However, it can be very hot. Clearly, the time of your senior portrait session will be a huge factor. I base my sessions around sunset to get the absolute best light, which places summer sessions much later than winter sessions. If you absolutely cannot make a sunset session work I, of course, will work with your schedule!

We headed up to Lake Huron for this particular session in Harrisville, Michigan. Light sandy beaches, beautiful waves and beach grass as far as we could see. These are the types of ideas I come up with when your senior says that want something unique that none of their other friends are getting.

FALL

Photographers refer to this as our "busy season" for a reason – these dates book FAST and early. If you have your heart set on fall portraits, contact me for your session ASAP! Fall dates are incredibly popular for seniors portraits AND families photography, if you love the cooler weather and layers in your outfits, this season is perfect for you. I also suggest wearing neutral tones that come with fall. You, of course, can dress in any colors you love, though typically with fall comes colors like maroon, navy, olive green, mustard, burnt orange, etc.

This senior chose to have her fall session in nearby Frankenmuth, Michigan. We didn’t get the typical bright fall leaves that most seniors gravitate to. Instead we visited the fountain, the river with the Bavarian Belle Riverboat in the background, the waterfall and, of course, the covered bridge.

WINTER

You might be surprised that yes, I do shoot senior portraits outside in the winter! And they are incredibly fun! Many seniors tend to want something unique, and this is certainly a way to achieve it. My calendar is more flexible during the winter months, so we can set a loose date and wait for the perfect snow and then go for it! You may get lucky and be able to wear fall clothes, such as layers with sweaters, vests, jeans, and boots. I think it’s cute to layer and wear your typical winter clothes as well. Boots, winter coat, hat, scarf, etc. You can make it very stylish! With snow sessions, I highly suggest being prepared and staying warm!

I do encourage seniors to bring their pets to their session, even if it’s only for a few poses. This senior had a snow photo shoot at a local park in Grand Blanc with her three dogs, a shih tzu, a bull mastiff and a great dane. My first session with 3 dogs, 2 of which outweigh me, but I have to say that I am so happy she suggested it.