Creative Photoshoot Ideas & When to Book!
After working as a full time photographer for a few years, I’ve realized that one thing has remained a constant struggle for clients is knowing when the best time to book their portrait session is.
There are many reasons why you need to book a photoshoot and you may be like me where you want several types of photoshoots throughout the year and get overwhelmed with thinking about how to schedule them out.
Disclaimer: Some of these suggestions revolve around booking sessions according to Texas seasons. If you are not in Texas and looking to book an outdoor session or wedding, please make sure to discuss with your photographer about the best time and location for your session would be.
I was debating on going through each type of portrait session and discussing the best times for each, but I thought it may be an easier read if I list each month with the corresponding photoshoots underneath. Enjoy!
January
Boudoir: if you are planning to gift or use spicy photos for Valentines Day, booking your photoshoot in early January is the perfect time. This allows your photographer time to edit photos and deliver them in enough time for you to order prints and have them in your hands before Valentine’s.
Branding: Same thing! This is a great time to capture that Valentine’s Day content! Whether you are a fashion blogger, sell jewelry, or just want to up your Instagram game, we want to create content that will be relatable and fun for your audience for every season- even Valentines!
February
While you may not receive your photos in time for prints to be delivered in time for Valentine’s, this is still a fabulous time for a boudoir session! What better way to spend the season of love than gifting yourself a steamy self-love session.
Give the gift of a photoshoot to your boo for Valentines! A steamy couples boudoir session, a creative portraiture of the two of you in your home, or capturing you two having fun at your favorite hangout doubles as the perfect date and gift. Trust me, you’ll score some major brownie points for this one!
New Year, New You! You have made it past the first 30 days of the year and it’s time to keep the accountability going! Show yourself love and create a fun photoshoot that best represents you, your hobbies, and what makes you feel the best.
Branding: the weather in Texas is always a hit or miss until about late May. So, you’ll want to book a photoshoot that supports those cozy day vibes, yet prepares you for the spring months. We will start working on new product photos and portraits for the 2nd quarter of the year, too!
March
Have you ever wanted a photoshoot outside of DFW? Like Colorado, the beach or Manahan’s Sand Dunes Park or under a waterfall in Austin (or Portland, OR ha!)? “Well yeah, Brooke! but why this month?” SPRING BREAK! Let’s get out of town together and shoot some steamy magic!
Senior Portraits- Have a senior graduating this school year? Go ahead and book your session for late March, early April to receive your photos in enough time to order prints and deliver them to any school functions that may need photos of your senior!
April - May
Spring Family Portraits: change up those outfits and get family portraits in the spring, too! Don’t wait until fall every year and later find, all of your photos are of y’all in your sweaters and boots. Don’t get me wrong, your girl loves sweater weather, but this is your chance to wear that gorgeous, flowy maxi-dress & flat hipster hat you’ve been dying to show off! mmkay.
Speaking of hipster hats, this is your chance to embrace all of the bright colors and florals! So, book your spring brand session to get in all of the spring vibes on your social feed!
June - August
How about a couples boudoir session? OR a fun couples session at the lake or pool? I mean, between romantic shore shots and fun floaty vibes, how could you resist?
Been dreaming of IG worthy photos of you in those flower fields?! Welp, this is the time! Book your portrait shoot at the sunflower field, tulip farm, or other wild flower fields MAY-JUNE! Keep an eye out on social media for updates on the fields from your photographer and directly from the location.
Summer photoshoots are a great time for the following:
photoshoots on your vacation (take me with you to the beach or mountains! game for either!)
in-home photoshoots, because let’s be real, it’s freaking hot and no one wants to be sweating their entire session! amirite?! In-home photoshoots are great for couples boudoir, branding, or maternity sessions!
creative studio portraits- boudoir, headshots, etc.
September
Sing it with me! “This is Halloween, this is Halloween, Halloween! Halloween! Halloween!” We can be besties if you know what movie that is from!
From Dia de los Muertos to hipster ghosts and pumpkin heads to wicked witches, let’s get you those fun Halloween portraits, mmkay?! I just know you’re dying for some! I mean, come on, who wouldn’t want a Halloween photoshoot? Book your session in September so you have your photos in your hands for the month of October!
Senior Portraits: some schools or school activities need you to have senior portraits submitted by the fall for various reasons- don’t ask me any questions about this. Just know, this is a good time to go ahead and get those portraits taken for you to use for all the senior things. ;) shall I say, “mmkay?!”
While it’s still warm outside in Texas, you can still go ahead and book your fall family portraits this month! Schedules start to get cray cray around this time, so if getting those family photos done this month works better for you, then let’s do it! Plan to wear fall colors, flowy dresses and some linen because Texas y’all!
October - November
Boudoir: if you are planning to gift or use sexy Christmas photos book within this time frame in order to receive edits and prints in enough time to post and/or gift.
Festive brand session for your November (Fall/Thanksgiving) & December (Holidays) content. Portraits and products you sell & use!
Family portraits for Christmas cards! Plus, the weather starts to cool down and it’s the perfect time to get your sweater weather pics captured! Oh, yeah!
December
Honestly, December can be the catch all for photos! From boudoir (start early on Valentines gifts to yourself/your boo), to engagement sessions, and family sessions. If you live in Texas or want to travel to Texas for a shoot AND appreciate moody photography, this is a great month to get your earthy tones and dark shadow portraits! They will be on FLEEK (are we still using this phrase or nah?)! mmmhmm I’m getting excited just thinking about it!
Ideas and themes for your Decemeber shoot:
winter brand session of you, in your thick sweaters and long coats. ayyy!
romantic photos with your boo by the fire- inside or out!
couples boudoir session- make it steamier and rent a cute getaway house in the woods. Here are a couple of local favs- Getaway House Dallas + The Wilde House and of course, always check Airbnb!
campsite portraits! Do you like to go camping? Let’s take all the camping vibe photos!
anything cozy and warm drink vibes
Romantic winter picnic at your favorite local spot with yourself and/or your boo.
black and white portrait photoshoot
Anything in an urban setting, like Bishop Arts District or Deep Ellum
This list could go on, really! Go check out our Pinterest page to see what catches your eye! I recommend heading straight to our “creative photoshoot ideas” board! Though, who am I kidding, there are all kinds of great ideas across all of our boards! toot toot! ;)
I hope you found this post helpful as you think about all of the photo-op possibilities and begin to plan the year ahead! The beautiful thing about creativity is that every project is completely unique. So, find your inspiration, but don’t be afraid to do the dang thing and make it yours!
I would love to provide you with more content like this! So, if you found this helpful and have any questions, requests, etc. please feel free to leave a comment or contact us!
Thank you for being here!
xoxo,
Brooke
