If you’re a junior (or the parent of one), you’re probably starting to hear whispers about “senior portraits” and wondering when exactly you’re supposed to figure this whole thing out. Between college applications, final exams, and trying to soak up the last year of high school, adding “professional photo session” to the to-do list can feel like just one more thing.
But here’s the truth: the families who plan ahead get the best dates, the most beautiful Colorado light, and way less stress. And as a Castle Rock photographer who’s worked with lots of seniors over the years, I promise—this can actually be fun. (Yes, even for the camera-shy ones. Especially for the camera-shy ones.)
Let me break down the whole timeline so you can enjoy this milestone instead of stressing about it.
Six to Nine Months Before Senior Year: The Sweet Spot for Booking
Here’s what most families don’t realize: the best time to book senior portraits is actually spring of junior year or early summer before senior year starts.
I know, I know—senior year feels like forever away when you’re still finishing junior year. But here’s why booking early is a game-changer:
You Get First Pick of Dates
Fall is gorgeous in Colorado (hello, golden aspens and perfect light!), but it’s also when every senior wants their photos taken. Book early, and you get to choose the exact date and time that works best for your schedule—not whatever’s left over in late September when you finally remember to call a Castle Rock photographer.
Better Weather Windows
Colorado weather in September and October can be… let’s call it “unpredictable.” When you book early, we have flexibility to reschedule if needed without the panic of running out of time before graduation announcements are due.
Less Stress, More Excitement
When senior portraits are handled months in advance, it’s one less thing competing for attention during the chaos of senior year. You can actually look forward to it instead of scrambling to fit it in between homecoming, college visits, and everything else.
Pro tip: If your senior plays fall sports or is involved in marching band, booking a late summer session (August/early September) means we capture them before the season gets crazy. Plus, the light in late summer? Chef’s kiss.
Four to Six Weeks Before Your Session: Let’s Get Planning
Once your session is booked (contract signed, session fee paid, date locked in tighter than a teenager’s Spotify playlist), it’s time to start thinking about the fun stuff.
Optional Consultation Call
This is where we hop on a quick phone call or virtual chat to talk through your vision. We’ll discuss:
- Locations: Do you want mountain views? Golden fields? Dramatic rock formations? I know all the best spots around Castle Rock and the Denver area, and I’ll help you choose based on your senior’s personality and style.
- Outfits: How many outfit changes do you want? (Larger packages include more time and variety!) We’ll talk about what looks great on camera and what coordinates beautifully with Colorado’s natural landscapes.
- Personality: I want to know about YOUR senior. Are they adventurous? Artistic? Athletic? Quiet and introspective? The more I know, the better I can capture who they really are.
- Concerns: Got a camera-shy teen? A senior who’s rolling their eyes at the whole idea? Trust me, I’ve worked with every personality type. We’ll strategize together.
Access to My Styling Guide
Coordinating outfits for senior portraits can feel overwhelming (What colors? How many outfits? Can they wear jeans? What about jewelry?). That’s why I provide every client with my personal styling guide—simple tips to help you put together looks that photograph beautifully and feel authentic to your senior’s style.
Quick styling notes while we’re here:
- Avoid busy patterns and giant logos
- Bring layers (Colorado weather changes fast!)
- Comfortable shoes matter (we might walk a bit to reach the perfect spot)
The Week Before: Final Prep
Check the Weather
Colorado in fall can surprise us. I’ll keep an eye on the forecast, and if we need to adjust timing for better light or weather, I’ll reach out. Flexibility is key!
Confirm Your Outfits
Make sure everything is clean, pressed, and fits well. Try on outfits a few days before (not the morning of!) to avoid any last-minute wardrobe panic.
Hair and Makeup
If your senior wants professional hair and makeup, schedule that appointment to finish about an hour before our session starts. But honestly? Natural is beautiful too. Whatever makes your senior feel most confident and like themselves.
Snacks and Water
Pack a water bottle and maybe a small snack. Senior sessions are longer than family sessions (because we’re doing multiple outfits and really showcasing personality!), and staying hydrated helps everyone feel their best.
Session Day: What Actually Happens
Here’s what a typical senior portrait session with me looks like—and why even reluctant teens end up having a good time.
We Meet at Your Chosen Location
Whether it’s Roxborough State Park with those stunning red rocks, the golden fields at Dawson Butte, or another gorgeous Castle Rock area spot, we’ll meet up and I’ll show you exactly where we’re headed. (And yes, I’ve already scouted it and know where the best light will be!)
We Start with Your Senior’s Favorite Outfit
I always recommend starting with whatever outfit makes your teen feel most confident. When they feel good, it shows in the photos. We’ll ease into the session with some simple, natural poses—nothing stiff or awkward. Think: walking, sitting on rocks, leaning against trees, looking off into those epic Colorado views.
Outfit Changes Happen On-Site
If your package includes multiple outfits (and I highly recommend it—variety is everything!), we’ll find a spot for quick changes. Bring outfits on hangers and we’ll make it work. This is also a great time for a water break and a quick breather.
I Give Gentle Direction, But Mostly Let Personality Shine
I’m not going to make your senior hold awkward poses or fake-smile for 45 minutes straight. Instead, I’ll give easy, natural prompts: “Walk toward me and laugh at something your best friend said.” “Look out at the mountains and think about where you want to be in five years.” “Okay, now give me that ‘I just aced my AP exam’ confidence.”
The goal? Capture who they ARE—not some stiff, posed version of themselves.
We Laugh. A Lot.
One of my favorite things clients tell me is that their teen actually enjoyed the session. And I’m not surprised—because when you’re exploring beautiful Colorado landscapes and changing outfits like you’re prepping for a magazine shoot… it doesn’t feel like a chore. It feels like an adventure.
By the end, your senior will probably forget they were even nervous. (And you might have some new favorite photos of your not-so-little-anymore kid.)
Two Weeks After Your Session: Gallery Time!
Your online gallery will arrive two weeks after our session, and this is the fun part.
What You’ll Get:
- A beautiful, fully edited online gallery
- High-resolution images ready for printing (because yes, we’re getting these off your phone and onto your walls!)
- Social-media-ready versions (perfect size for posting, sharing, and sending to Grandma before she texts “Where are the pictures??” for the third time)
Choosing Your Favorites:
You’ll have access to the full gallery to download, but I also encourage you to choose your absolute favorites for prints, wall art, and albums. Not sure which ones to pick? I’ll help you decide which images work best for graduation announcements, dorm room prints, gifts to family, and that big canvas you’ve been dreaming about for the living room.
Complimentary Album Design:
I’ll create a custom album design featuring your senior’s entire gallery—beautifully arranged and ready to show off on your coffee table. This is the album your senior can flip through years from now (probably with their own kids someday!) and remember exactly who they were at this moment in their life.
Products and Printing: Let’s Get These Photos Off Your Devices
You’re going to hear me say this a lot, and I mean it every time: please print your photos.
I’ve learned this lesson the hard way as both a photographer and a mom. Digital files are wonderful, but they live on devices that crash, get replaced, and get forgotten. Printed photos? Those become the heirlooms your family treasures forever.
You’ll Have Full Access to My Professional Print Shop
No grainy drugstore prints here. Through my professional lab, you can order gorgeous, high-quality prints, canvases, metal prints, and more—all with colors that actually match what you see on screen. (No weird orange skin tones or washed-out faces, I promise.)
And if you’re not sure what size to order or where to hang things, I’m here to help. Seriously. I will walk you through every decision because I want you to LOVE displaying these images in your home.
Why This Matters:
In a few months, your senior walks across that graduation stage and everything changes. They’re off to college, new adventures, independence. These photos—printed, framed, displayed—become daily reminders of who they were at this exact moment. And trust me, that’s priceless.
Final Thoughts: This is Supposed to Be Fun
Senior portraits can feel like just another item on an overwhelming to-do list. But here’s what I want you to know: when you plan ahead, communicate what you want, and work with a Castle Rock photographer who actually enjoys working with teens (hi, that’s me!), this becomes one of the highlights of senior year.
I’ve photographed countless Castle Rock and Denver-area seniors, and my favorite sessions are always the ones where the senior arrives skeptical and leaves smiling. Where parents relax and actually enjoy watching their almost-adult navigate the session with confidence. Where everyone walks away with images that make them say, “Wow, THAT’S who they really are.”
Your senior’s portraits should feel authentic, look stunning, and remind you—years from now—of exactly who they were in this wild, beautiful, fleeting moment before everything changed.
Ready to book your senior’s session? Let’s chat! I’d love to hear about your senior, your vision, and how we can create photos that capture this milestone in a way that feels completely, authentically THEM.
Contact me here to schedule your consultation—and while you’re at it, tell me your senior’s favorite snack. (I’m all about keeping the energy up during sessions. No judgment if it’s Hot Cheetos and Monster energy drinks. We’re all just trying to survive senior year.) 😊📸
Jodi Crawford Photography specializes in natural, outdoor senior portraits in Castle Rock, Denver, and throughout Colorado. Sessions are relaxed, personality-driven, and designed to capture who your senior really is—against the stunning backdrop of Colorado’s most beautiful landscapes.
