Summer Senior Photos in Austin

March 29, 2023

The longest days, the easiest schedule.

Senior sessions built around long golden evenings and the most open calendar you’ll have throughout your senior year.

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Why Choose Summer for Your Senior Photos in Austin

Summer is the most flexible season on the calendar, since school’s out and there’s nothing competing for your time. The days are long, which means golden hour lasts longer too, giving us more good light to work with than any other season. The one thing to plan around is the heat, so we’ll time your session for the cooler parts of the day rather than the middle of the afternoon.

girl with cap and gown running through splash pad for her senior photos

What to Think About Before You Book Summer Senior Photos

A few practical things worth planning around are the month you pick, vacations, and the heat.

  • June is still genuinely enjoyable, warm without being brutal, though it comes with a higher chance of rain than later in the summer.
  • July and early August get busy fast since so many families are juggling vacations around their session. The earlier you reach out, the more flexibility you’ll have finding a date that works for everyone.
  • August is the hottest month of the year here, and most people skip it for exactly that reason. If your schedule allows it, June or even early fall usually makes for a more comfortable session.
  • However hot it gets, I’ve got you covered. My guide to surviving senior photos in a Texas summer has real tips for staying comfortable and looking great no matter the temperature.
  • If your dream location isn’t in Austin, I’ll travel with you (or to you) to make it happen. Summer is the season I’m most flexible on location, so if you’ve got somewhere specific in mind, let’s talk about it.

See What Summer Senior Sessions Look like

  • senior portrait photographer in austin texas
  • girl in canoe during senior photoshoot in texas
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About Jess

Hi, I’m Jessica, an Austin based senior photographer who thinks summer gets an unfair reputation for being “too hot” to shoot. Sure, we plan around the heat, but summer also gives us the longest days, a great golden hour, and the most flexible calendar of the whole year. I love a good beach session, and if your dream location means traveling, I’m always up for it. If you want your senior photos to feel like an adventure instead of a formality, summer might be exactly your season.

Learn More About Jess

Summer Senior Photos FAQ

June tends to be the most comfortable month, warm but not brutal, though it comes with a slightly higher chance of rain. July and August get progressively hotter, with August being the peak of it. If you want the easiest experience, June is my top pick, but I can make any summer month work.

I’d recommend reaching out a few months ahead, especially for July and August. Summer overlaps with a lot of family vacations, so calendars fill up fast around travel schedules.

We’ll keep an eye on the forecast together and reschedule if needed. Texas summer weather can be a little unpredictable, so I always build in some flexibility. Seniors have 3 months of availability to reschedule if we’re rained out.

I keep a close eye on the forecast leading up to your session. Austin’s heat index typically climbs through the morning and peaks hardest in the afternoon, between about 2 and 6pm, so if extreme heat is expected, I’ll usually suggest shifting to an early sunrise start instead, since that’s genuinely the coolest window of the day. If a real extreme heat warning is in effect, we’ll reschedule to keep you safe and comfortable, no question.

Yes, and honestly, it’s one of my favorite kinds of summer sessions. Getting in the water is a great way to beat the heat and gives us some genuinely unique shots you won’t get any other time of year.

Breathable fabrics are your friend, think linen, cotton, and flowy pieces rather than anything heavy or layered. If you’re picturing an outfit made for fall, that’s a good sign fall might actually be your season instead.

Yes! Here are the tips for bringing your pet along for your senior photos no matter what season!

Sunrise or sunset, both work well, it really comes down to whether you’re a morning person or not. Golden hour lasts longer in summer, so we get a wider window of great light either way. I also suggest you think about doing photos after dark! There are lots of fun, creative ways we can do senior pictures after the sun has set.

Your fully edited gallery will be delivered within 2-3 weeks. You’ll get a link sent to your email to download your images.

We plan around it. That means shooting during the cooler parts of the day, building in water and shade breaks, and moving at a pace that keeps you comfortable. I’ve also put together a full guide to surviving senior photos in a Texas summer with real tips on makeup, hydration, and outfits if you want to go in prepared.

Almost never, and it’s one of the most common worries I hear before a summer session. Waterproof makeup, a little setting powder for touch-ups, and staying hydrated beforehand go a long way, and I keep an eye out for it during the shoot too. My guide to surviving senior photos in a Texas summer has all my go-to tips if you want to feel extra prepared going in.

Wherever fits your vision. Check out my guide to the best senior photo locations in Austin for a full list of favorite local spots, including a few great water options for summer. But don’t feel limited to Austin. Summer is the season I’m most flexible on location, so if you’re dreaming of a specific lake, beach, or destination outside the city, I will travel with you or to you to make that happen.

What Clients Are Saying

  • She blew us away…

    You always dream that a photograph will capture emotions inside and out. Recently Jessica took my daughter’s senior portraits. I selected Jessica for her focus on Senior Portraits. She blew us away not only in the photos but all of the prep that made Elli Grace and I feel like we were prepared. On site she focused on making everything whimsical and fun. Elli Grace and I made memories for a lifetime. Thank you, Jessica. If you want the best Senior Pictures focused on your student- go with Jessica.
    Kelli Hodges – Elli’s Mom
girl floating in a lake during her senior photoshoot
Book Your Summer Session Here!

Recent Summer Senior Sessions

Explore More

Not fully sold on spring, or just want to see everything before you decide? You can always retake the quiz if another season feels closer to right. Once you’ve settled on a season, the next big question is where, so take a look through my guide to the best senior photo locations in Austin for inspiration. And if you want the full rundown on how to plan your session from start to finish, from outfits to timing to what to expect on the day, the Ultimate Senior Portrait Guide covers all of it.

Explore each season in Austin, TX

Summer

Long golden evenings and the most flexible scheduling all year.

See Summer Sessions →

Fall

Warm color palettes and cooler days once fall finally shows up.

See Fall Sessions →

Winter

Cozy layers and soft, moody light for the holidays.

See Winter Sessions →

Spring

Wildflowers and mild weather, but it books up fast.

See Spring Sessions →

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