Avoid the Rush

Your Guide to Senior Photo Scheduling

let’s start with THE PROBLEM

Are you struggling to figure out when to fit senior photos into your already-packed schedule?

  • You feel like you’re already behind before you’ve even started
  • You struggle to find a date that works between sports, school, and summer plans
  • You can’t seem to get ahead of the deadlines
  • You keep getting stuck trying to coordinate everything at the last minute
  • You don’t know your yearbook deadlines
Downtown La Crosse, WI alley by Photographer Jeff Wiswell of J.L. Wiswell Photography
THEN let’s make this easier with the solution

senior photo scheduling on easy mode

If you’re starting to think about senior portraits, you might be wondering: when’s the best time to book?

The short answer? Sooner than you think.

We serve seniors and their families in La Crosse, Wisconsin and the surrounding area with a boutique, fully guided portrait experience.

That experience starts long before the camera comes out—and timing plays a huge role in the final result.


Here’s what you need to know to book with confidence, avoid the seasonal rush, and get the senior photos you actually want.

choose your own adventure

Start with Your Ideal Season


What season feels most like you? Each one offers a different mood, light, and backdrop


Each season has its perks, but they also fill quickly—especially fall.

If you want a specific look or date, reach out at least 3–4 months in advance.

Spring (Junior Year)

Fresh blooms, softer light, and a clean, classic look.

Spring is a beautiful time for portraits—but keep in mind, we recommend booking in the spring of junior year, not senior year. Waiting until late spring of senior year often means scrambling for availability and risking rushed turnaround times.

Spring also tends to offer milder temperatures—especially in early May—which makes sessions more comfortable, especially for layered outfits or professional hair and makeup.

Summer Before Senior Year Starts

Warm tones, golden light, lush greenery, and more schedule flexibility. It’s often easier to fit in your session before school, sports, and college visits take over.

Fall Of Senior Year

Crisp colors, cozy outfits, a moodier vibe, and tighter school-year schedules.

It’s also the most unpredictable when it comes to weather—sometimes you’ll luck out with seasonably warm afternoons, but other times, a cold snap can limit outfit choices and make outdoor sessions uncomfortable.

This is a popular choice—but it books up fast and can be more difficult to coordinate with extracurriculars.

01

Spring Sessions (During Junior Year)

Book by December or January

02

Summer sessions
(Before School)

Book by March or April

03

Fall sessions
(During School)

Book by May or June (earlier for peak weekends!)

Why Early Booking Matters

Pre-session planning + wardrobe guidance

Session day (and a backup date for weather)

Custom image editing and retouching takes about 2 weeks

Design & ordering appointment (about 1 week later)

Bonus Tip: Don’t Just Book for Convenience

Lots of families try to “fit in” senior photos around sports, school, and summer vacations.

But this experience is too meaningful to be an afterthought.

Spring and summer often offer the most flexibility—fewer schedule conflicts, more time for reschedules if needed, and longer daylight hours to work with.

Give it space. Treat it like what it is: a once-in-a-lifetime chance to document who your senior is right now.

And while the focus is on your senior, we often have time to include a few family photos at the end of the session. It’s a beautiful way to mark this season as a family—especially if you haven’t had portraits taken in a while.

Final Thoughts

Booking your senior photos early gives you more options, better light, and a smoother experience from start to finish.

If you’re a parent or senior in the La Crosse, WI area, we’d love to guide you through it.


Click below to start the conversation—and secure your session before our calendar fills up.