What’s the Best Month to Take Senior Photos in Reno/Tahoe? Tips from a Reno Senior Photographer

February 22, 2023 in Senior Portraits

Senior portraits are a cherished tradition for high school seniors (and their parents, of course). Senior photos mark the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in life. Choosing the right season for your senior portraits is important; it can have a significant impact on the quality and mood of your photos. While each season has its unique beauty, summer is often considered the best SEASON for senior portraits. Furthermore, late June through August are considered the best MONTHS to take senior photos in Reno/Tahoe. Here’s why:

Longer days and magical lighting

Summer days are long. This means you have more daylight hours to work with when scheduling your photoshoot. It is particularly helpful if you want to take advantage of the golden hour. But what IS the golden hour? It’s the hour before sunset when the light is soft and warm. During the summer, the golden hour is often later in the day. This allows you to schedule your photoshoot in the late afternoon or early evening when the lighting is most flattering. The soft, warm light of the golden hour can make for some truly stunning senior portraits.

Outdoor locations

Summer is the perfect season for outdoor senior portraits. The weather is warm and sunny, and there’s typically no need to worry about rain or snow ruining your shoot. Reno/Tahoe weather can be unpredictable at times, but overall, the summer weather is amazing. This opens up a world of possibilities for outdoor locations, from lush parks to sandy beaches to vibrant gardens. You can choose a location that suits your personality and style, and the natural beauty of the outdoors can enhance your photos. Furthermore, your locations aren’t limited when you choose summer for your senior portraits because we don’t have to consider winter closures or hard-to-reach locations due to snow.

Fun and vibrant outfits

Summer fashion trends are typically bright, colorful, and playful. This makes it a great season to showcase your personality and style with fun and vibrant outfits. From sundresses to shorts and crop tops, you have a wide range of options for creating a playful and energetic look. You can even incorporate props such as sunglasses, hats, or beach balls to add a fun and playful element to your photos.

Carefree and adventurous vibe

Summer is often associated with a carefree and adventurous vibe. With school out of session and vacations often planned during this time, summer portraits can reflect the freedom and excitement of the season. You can incorporate fun activities into your shoot, such as playing in the waves on the beaches of Lake Tahoe, or relaxing on the beautiful boulders that line the lake. This creates a relaxed and playful atmosphere that can make for some truly memorable senior portraits.

Capturing high school memories

Senior portraits are a way to capture a moment in time and create lasting memories. Summer portraits can be particularly meaningful, as they capture the essence of the season and the memories associated with it. Whether it’s a favorite beach or park, or simply the feeling of freedom and adventure, summer portraits can capture a special time in your life that you’ll look back on fondly for years to come.

In conclusion, there is not one particular month that’s the best for senior portraits; however, Summer is the best SEASON for senior portraits for a variety of reasons. The longer days and better lighting, the availability and accessibility of outdoor locations, the opportunity to showcase fun and vibrant outfits, and the carefree and adventurous vibe of the season all contribute to making summer portraits truly special. And all of those things definitely answer the burning question of what’s the best month to take senior photos in Reno/Tahoe – late June through August are your best bet. If you’re a high school senior planning your senior portraits, consider scheduling them during the summer months to take advantage of all that the summer season has to offer.

Does this all mean that winter senior portraits aren’t great? Not at all. If a spring, fall or winter senior portrait seems to suit YOUR personality better, then by ALL means, schedule during those times! But make sure to contact me well in advance if you want the BEST month to take senior photos in Reno/Tahoe. My calendar books up quickly and it would be such a bummer if you don’t get the photographer you want or have to delay your portraits to the fall or winter season.