Senior year is packed with big moments, and if you want stunning senior portraits, timing is everything! Some locations are gorgeous year round, but others are only available for a few weeks to months. The key? Plan ahead and book your session in advance to snag the best dates and locations. Here’s your season-by-season guide to when to book your senior portraits in Oregon. No matter what you choose, be sure to reach out and get on my calendar a few months in advance so you don’t miss out. Peak dates fill up FAST, and I don’t want you to miss out!
When to Book Your Senior Portraits in Oregon for Your Dream Session
Ideal Seasons for Senior Portraits in Oregon
I love all seasons for senior portraits! Summer and fall are my most popular for incoming seniors, and the spring is perfect for those finishing up their senior year. Read on for what each season offers. And as always, feel free to reach out with any questions!
Spring Senior Portraits (March–June): Gorgeous Flowers
If you love soft, romantic flower photos, spring is your season. Everything is in bloom, and the light is soft and dreamy. There are also gorgeous fall options for flowers, so be sure to check out my fall section below too!
- Cherry Blossoms (March–April): Think delicate pink blooms and that perfect storybook look. Peak bloom changes slightly each year, so booking early and staying flexible is key!
- Peonies (May–June): If you love big, bold flowers, peonies add a lush and elegant touch to your session. The peony garden I love has over 30 acres of peonies with every color you can think of. Peak bloom us usually end of may to beginning of June.
- Schreiner’s Iris Garden (May): This spot near Salem is beyond stunning, with rows of colorful irises creating a fairytale backdrop. Their display garden features irises, lupine and other flowers surrounded by greenery, and it’s absolutely magical. Mid to late May is usually peak bloom, but as with all flowers we will need to be a little flexible.
- Orchard (April-May): Blooms start in April and are lovely. The orchard is beautiful in fall, summer, and spring, and each season brings a completely different vibe.Spring has peach and apple blossoms, which are delicate and lovely.
Summer Senior Portraits in Oregon (June–August): The Golden Hour Dream
If you love sun-kissed skin, glowing light, and carefree vibes, summer is your season. The long days and warm weather create the perfect conditions for outdoor sessions.
- The Oregon Coast: Think flowy dresses, salty air, and sunset magic. The coast is perfect in July and August when the weather is warmest.
- Fields & Meadows: Oregon’s summer fields are golden and dreamy, giving your portraits a soft and ethereal feel.
- Mountain tops. If you’re looking for a Mary’s Peak session, summer and early fall are perfect. It’s cooler at Mary’s Peak than in the valley, so hot days are glorious in the mountains
- Downtown Vibes: If you’re looking for something different, an urban setting makes for a fun summer shoot.
- Vineyards
Fall (September–November): Cozy & Classic
If you love rich colors, cozy outfits, and crisp air, fall is an amazing time for senior portraits.
- Flowers: Sunflowers bloom into the end of August and beginning of September, and dahlias can last til mid October. If you want fall flowers, these are my favorites.
- Vibrant Fall Foliage: Oregon shows off in the fall, with deep reds, golden yellows, and warm oranges filling the background. Late October and into November is when the local parks are at their prettiest.
- Sweater Weather Vibes: Fall is perfect if you love cozy layers, boots, and scarves in your photos. A flowy dress is also gorgeous in the fall.
- Forest trails, pumpkin patches, mountain top views, and old barns bring a classic autumn feel to your session.
- Apple Orchard: The orchard is another favorite of mine for the fall.
Winter and Year Round Locations
Winter might not be the most popular time for senior portraits, but if you love dramatic skies, soft lighting, and a moody aesthetic, it can be stunning. If you’re willing to bundle up or head indoors, I love a great winter session.
- Oregon Coast: I know I said it’s best in the summer, but it’s gorgeous year-round. We just have to watch the weather and be flexible. If you’re ok with stormy beach vibes, it opens up the possibilities.
- Mountain tops: There are mountain tops that are easily accessed and gorgeous throughout the whole year. This is my top pick for winter sessions unless you’re wanting an urban vibe.
- Urban Cool: Overcast days make for the best even lighting, perfect for a modern city photoshoot.
- Cozy Indoors: I love studio sessions in the winter!
- Christmas Tree Farm
- Snow! We might need to drive a little to get there, but snow is so fun and gorgeous.
- Covered bridges: These are always a great rainy day back up, but they’re also gorgeous on a sunny day.
Key Dates to Remember when Booking your Oregon Senior Portraits:
When is your yearbook photo due? If you want your senior portraits in the yearbook, be sure you check the deadline with your school. Typically, deadlines run between October and February, so be sure you know when it’s due so you don’t miss it! Often, seniors will do multiple sessions so that they can turn in the yearbook photo in the fall and also capture a spring session their senior year. If you are interested in multiple sessions, you might want to consider joining my Senior Model Team. Check out this post for all the info: https://jenwhitephoto.com/why-you-should-join-my-senior-model-team/
When will you send graduation announcements? My senior session turnaround time is 2 weeks, so you’ll want to book with enough time to get the photos back and order announcements.
Don’t Forget Your Cap & Gown Session!
Your senior year isn’t complete without a cap and gown session to celebrate your achievements. These sessions capture the excitement and pride of graduation day! Typically you’ll have your cap and gown by late May, but if you can get your hands on one from a previous graduate, we can take your cap and gown photos any time. We can go to your school, or I love the flower fields and downtown for cap and gown sessions. Click here to see a full cap and gown session on my website.
When to Book Your Senior Portraits in Oregon
As a general rule, book your senior session at least 2–3 months in advance (4-6 is even better!). That’s my most important tip for when to book your Oregon senior portraits-plan ahead. Popular dates book up fast, so the sooner the better! For peak summer and fall dates, especially weekends, you’ll want to get on my calendar even sooner than that. But even if it’s last minute, reach out and I’ll see what I can do. I’ll try my best to get you in!
Ready to book your senior session? Let’s make it happen! Contact me here to get the process started. You can also reach out with all your questions!
