Senior Year Flies by: Why Senior Pictures Should be a Priority

There’s something about the senior year clock that feels like it ticks faster.

One minute you're shopping for homecoming dresses and checking college tours off the to-do list.... and the next you're ordering a cap and gown, scrambling for the yearbook's senior ad deadline, and realizing your baby is about to leave the nest. It’s a rollercoaster of pride, emotion, and “wait—how is this happening so fast?”

As a high school senior photographer, I’ve watched this pattern unfold every single year. And the one thing I hear over and over again in the spring is “I should have done this sooner.”

Let’s talk about why senior portraits should be a priority now—not the thing you squeeze in at the last minute.

Kelli Gowdy Photography, Creek senior session, High Point, NC

Yearbook Deadlines Come Quicker Than You Think

For many private schools in the High Point, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem areas, yearbook photo deadlines fall around October 1st—sometimes even earlier.

Schools like High Point Christian Academy, and Greensboro Day typically allow for a personal photo submission for the yearbook. That means you aren't required to choose your image from the school sponsored photographer.

This means:

Your session needs to happen well before that deadline
Images must be edited, selected, and formatted properly
You need time to actually enjoy the experience—not rush through it in a panic

When families wait until late September to book, they often find themselves scrambling or even missing out on available dates with photographers whose calendars fill early.

Don’t Add Last-Minute Stress With Everything Else on the Senior Year to-do List

Senior year is a whirlwind. Between:

College applications
Scholarship essays
SATs or ACTs
AP classes
School sports, band, theater, dance, or the thousand other extracurricular activities
Homecoming, prom, grad announcements
AND everyday life…

It’s a lot.

And the truth is, senior portraits are one of the few joyful things on that list. When those are booked early, you can savor that time with your senior instead of it feeling like it's "just one more thing to do".

So, what does "booking early" mean?

Ideally, senior pictures should be on your radar in late spring or summer before senior year starts. Even if those photos aren't taken at that time, You can meet with your photographer and pick the date that works best for your senior's vision, and your family's schedule.

Senior Pictures Aren’t Just for the Yearbook

Yes, some schools allow you to submit your own yearbook photo, but most school require the school photographer to capture that image.

Isn't your senior's personality more than a drape or tux picture? Don't they have interests and personality that can't be captured in 5 or less minutes?

My senior photo session is a full experience designed to celebrate your senior’s personality, style, and story. Whether they want dreamy flower fields at golden hour, editorial city vibes, or a sentimental location like the family farm—I work with you to create a session that feels meaningful and effortless.

And here’s the kicker: when you book early, you get the best light, and the best dates, and all the Senior Sunday images for her posts that she desires.

Real Talk from a Mom: You Only Get One Senior Year

I’m a mom, too. I’ve walked this road and I know how bittersweet it is. You’re doing all the “lasts” while holding your breath for all the “nexts.” Senior portraits are more than a photoshoot; they’re a chance to pause and soak in who your teen is, right now, before they take that next big step.

So if senior pictures have been on the back burner, consider this your sign to move them to the front.

Ready to Get Ahead of the Rush?

If your teen is graduating in 2026, now is the time to reserve your spot. My calendar for late summer and fall fills quickly, especially with navigating around athlete schedules and everyone vying for prime time in the flower fields. (Hint: they are only pretty for a couple weeks when blooming.)

Go ahead and book that consult and let's make this experience one both you and your senior will cherish forever!

Book a consult today!

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Senior Year Flies by: Why Senior Pictures Should be a Priority

Yearbook Deadlines Come Quicker Than You Think

Don’t Add Last-Minute Stress With Everything Else on the Senior Year to-do List

Senior Pictures Aren’t Just for the Yearbook

Real Talk from a Mom: You Only Get One Senior Year

Ready to Get Ahead of the Rush?

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