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Austin Winter Senior Photo Sessions

March 30, 2023

Photo shot in early December

The most underrated season for senior photos

Senior sessions designed for colder temperatures, warmer clothes, and beautiful light.

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Why Choose Winter for Your Senior Photos in Austin

Winter in Austin isn’t dramatic, and it isn’t busy either. Most days stay mild enough to shoot comfortably outdoors, without the heat of other seasons or the crowded calendar of spring and fall. December still holds onto some fall warmth, but by January the trees are bare and the look turns quieter and more minimal. The light works in our favor too, since the sun stays low all day instead of climbing overhead, giving us that soft, golden quality for most of the session instead of just a short window. It’s also one of the least busy times to book, so you get more flexibility on dates and locations than almost any other season.

Photo shot in January
Photo shot in early December

What to Think About Before You Book Winter Senior Photos

A few practical things worth planning around are timing, temperature, and colors.

  • December still tends to look more like fall here, warmer tones, some color hanging on in the trees. If that’s the vibe you want, this is your month.
  • January is when winter actually shows up visually. Bare trees, soft low-angle light, and one of the quietest, least busy stretches of the year.
  • February is the one month to watch. Texas winters can bring a real cold snap or ice, so we’ll need to build in some flexibility if that’s when you’re booking.
  • Snow isn’t something you can plan around. Austin might get one snow day a year, if that, so I can’t guarantee a snowy session. That said, I’ve captured real snow sessions before when we’ve gotten lucky, so if it happens while we’re working together, we’ll absolutely take advantage of it if you like that!

See What Winter Senior Sessions Look Like

  • Photo shot in January
  • Photo shot in December
  • Photo shot in early December
  • Photo shot in January
  • Photo shot in February
  • Photo shot in December
  • Photo shot in December
  • Photo shot in December
  • Photo shot in January
  • winter senior photos
    Photo shot in February
  • Photo shot in December
  • teen threw snowball during senior photoshoot
    Photo shot in February
  • Photo shot in January
  • Photo shot in February
  • Photo shot in December
  • silhouette after winter storm of teenager
    Photo shot in February
Book Your Winter Senior Session Here!

About Jess

Hi, I’m Jessica, an Austin based senior photographer who thinks winter gets a bad reputation it doesn’t deserve. There’s something about a quiet January morning, no crowds, no rush, that makes for some of my favorite sessions all year. If you’re the kind of senior who’d rather skip the busy season and have a calmer, more personal experience, winter might be exactly your speed.

Learn More About Jess

Winter Senior Photos FAQ

December still carries some fall warmth and color, while January is when winter really shows up, bare trees, soft light, and a much quieter calendar. Both work well depending on the look you want.

Winter is actually one of the more flexible seasons to book, since it’s not competing with homecoming, prom, or holiday card season the way fall and spring do. That said, reaching out even a few weeks ahead usually gets you your pick of dates.

Most winter days here stay mild enough to shoot comfortably. If a real cold snap or ice moves in, especially in February, we’ll reschedule, same flexibility as any other season.

Probably not, Austin might get one snow day a year, if that, so it’s not something we can plan around. I have captured real snow sessions before when we’ve gotten lucky, so if it happens while we’re working together, we’ll take full advantage of it.

Layers work well here since winter days can start cool and warm up fast. Rich, deeper tones photograph beautifully against the bare, minimal backdrops this season gives us.

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

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

This depends on the look you’re after. December locations lean warmer and more fall-adjacent, while January opens up more minimal, open-sky spots once the leaves are gone. I’m happy to talk through what fits your vision best.

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

Recent Winter Senior Sessions

Photo shot in February

Explore More

Not fully sold on winter, 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 →

More Good Stuff

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  1. Pingback: When should you take your senior photos? - The Jessica Martin

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