Journal · October 6, 2026
Senior portraits in San Antonio: how to plan a session that actually feels like you
When to book senior portraits in San Antonio, locations that photograph well, how many outfits to bring, and what the session is like.
Senior portraits are the one session where the subject gets to have real opinions, and I love that. Here's how to plan one that looks like your senior, not like everyone else's.
When to book
Most families book for late summer or early fall of senior year, before school and sports take over. Yearbook deadlines vary by school, so check yours first. Spring sessions are beautiful too, especially with wildflowers in the Hill Country, and they work well for seniors who want graduation announcements in hand by May.
Weekend sunset slots go first. If your senior's schedule is packed, a weekday evening is often easier and quieter at popular spots.
Locations that photograph well
I usually recommend two looks in one session: something urban and something open.
- Urban: the Pearl, Southtown murals, downtown rooftops, Old Town Helotes, or Boerne's Main Street. Brick, texture and color.
- Open: Hill Country fields near Bulverde and Spring Branch, Canyon Lake at sunset, Cibolo Nature Center in Boerne, or the riverbanks in Gruene.
- Personal: the field they play on, the barn, the car they saved for, the family ranch. Places with meaning make the best photos.
What to wear
Plan two or three outfits:
- The real one. What they wear on a good day. This is the one they'll love in ten years.
- The dressed-up one. A dress, a jacket, the senior-year splurge.
- The identity one. Jersey, letter jacket, band tee, boots, whatever says who they are right now.
Solid colors and simple textures photograph best. Skip tiny patterns and big logos unless the logo is the point. Iron everything, and bring shoes that match each look.
What the session is like
Nobody has to say cheese. We walk, we talk, I give direction when it's needed and get out of the way when it isn't. Most seniors are nervous for about ten minutes and then forget the camera is there. Parents are welcome, and I'll grab a few photos of the two of you at the end if you want them.
Sessions run 30 minutes for a single location and outfit, or a full hour with room for outfit changes and a second location. The full hour is what I recommend for seniors who want variety.
Pricing
Senior sessions use my lifestyle collections: Bronze is $350 for 30 minutes at one location, and Gold is $450 for a full hour with room for outfit changes. Both include digital gallery access with high-resolution images for announcements, social media and prints. Details are on the investment page.
A few tips from the other side of the camera
- Haircuts a week before, not the day before.
- Nails and brows matter more than you'd think in close-ups.
- Bring a sibling or friend to make them laugh. The real smile shows up when someone they trust is being ridiculous.
- Plan the session for the last hour before sunset. The light does half the work.
Ready to plan one? Send me the details and I'll suggest locations near you in San Antonio or the Hill Country.
