One of the biggest decisions you'll make when planning a session is the time of year to schedule! While there is no "right answer", there are a few things you'll want to consider and I hope this guide can help you decide.
SPRING & SUMMER
For seniors, this is usually the summer after your junior year, or the spring of your senior year.
Spring is a great way to have your new photos all wrapped up before a busy summer schedule hits, while still enjoying our first hint of sun & fresh blooms. I always love the opportunity to show off a shiny, freshly shed coats with our first hint of summer color. A few spring time cautions include fresh horses, and rain to schedule around.
Summer is by far the most popular choice among equestrians! The evenings aren't too warm, and the horses are always so relaxed. The months of June-September are most popular, but if you have a specific look in mind or find a session on the website that you especially love, it's pretty easy to narrow down the best date for you based on weather, and what's in bloom! The only caution here is to book as far in advance as possible, especially if you will be needing a weekend date!
Think about early mornings between 6 am - 9 am before the sun becomes to high and creates shadows, or later in the evening closer to sunset between 7:30 pm - 8:35 pm depending on the months.
FALL & WINTER
For seniors, this is the fall or winter at the start of your senior year.
Fall is my personal favorite! The window for fall foliage here in the valley is slim, but so rewarding. These sessions usually take place in mid to late October for the best colors, but that can vary depending on the weather each year as well as the exact location. If you're a senior, you'll want to be mindful of any yearbook deadlines that your school has set to make sure we can get all your photos done in time. Some are as early as September and others are as late as February, so you'll need to make sure you schedule your session with enough time!
Winters can be tricky if you're in the valley where it's cold, but never quite cold enough for snow. On the other hand, if you are somewhere where there's a chance of snow or you have lots of evergreens on your property, these winter sessions can be simply gorgeous. If you're early enough in the winter, a field layered in bright fallen leaves offers a stunning backdrop too. A few things to keep in mind for November - February is whether your horse is clipped (if you'd like them to be) and whether there are any areas without mud that we can work with.
