Choosing the Right Location for Your Senior Photos
Your location sets the tone for your entire session — your outfits, your hair and makeup, and the overall vibe of your portraits. Luckily, Southern Maryland senior photography offers so much variety.
Beaches
- Calvert Cliffs State Park
- Newtowne Neck State Park
- Myrtle Point Park
- NAS Patuxent River
- Jefferson Patterson Park
- Private neighborhood beaches
Waterfronts
- Leonardtown Wharf
- Solomons Island
- North Beach
- Southern Maryland lighthouses
- Downtown Annapolis (if you’re willing to do the drive!)
Open Fields & Farms
Southern Maryland is full of farmland and wide-open spaces. Whether it’s family land or public parks like St. Mary’s City and Jefferson Patterson Park, fields are a classic senior photo backdrop.
In Town
- Solomons Island boardwalk
- Leonardtown Square
- St. Mary’s College campus
- Historic St. Mary’s City
Studio Option
Did you know I own a photography studio in St. Mary’s County? Senior clients always have the option of using my studio, which is amazing for creative backdrops and guaranteed to run rain or shine.
When Is the Best Time of Year for Senior Pictures?
This is one of the most common questions I get as a Maryland senior photographer. Let’s break down the seasons:
Winter (December – February)
Cold, no foliage, do not recommend outdoor photos. Unless you love the snow and want that in your photos! If you love studio photos, then winter is such a great time to do them! You can wear whatever you want and wear whatever you want, regardless of the weather outside.
March
In my opinion, early march is RISKY. We’ve had snow in march before, we’ve had hot days in March before… It’s just unpredictable! BUT, late march is a great option for high school seniors that are involved in a spring sport. You can get your photos done before the season gets too busy for you to be able to fit photos in! Also, keep in mind that Cherry Blossoms bloom in March, usually mid to late month.
April
Possibly my second busiest month, when all of the last minute senior photo requests come in because graduation is around the corner. With that said, April is a great month for your photos! Early in the month, tulips and daffodils are blooming. The trees are starting to really get their green back. The only note I will say about April is that it can be a bit rainy, so don’t be surprised if you get some sprinkles at your session or we have to reschedule your original date because of weather.
May
Graduation month!! For here in St. Mary’s County, MD at least. May is also such a great time, with very similar weather to April, just more consistently warm. The risk you run with a session in May is how close to graduation you will cut it. If you want to send out invitations/announcements, work backwards to calculate how much time it will take for shipping to your friends, shipping to you, ordering, and getting your photos back. If you are a client of mine for senior photos, you always get your full gallery back within 7 days.
June
One of my FAVORITE months weather-wise! It’s so warm, but usually the crazy summer heat hasn’t kicked in yet. But, it’s kind of an awkward month. I usually have both seniors from the “just-graduated” class and Rising seniors that just finished their junior year this month. Some clients like to treat themselves to a photoshoot as a post-graduation treat. Some are just super excited about senior photos, they schedule for june! And both are perfectly fine. 🙂
July
July – July is a highly requested month for senior photos, I believe mostly because of the extra time that families and seniors have over the summer and wanting to get photos done before the school year craziness starts. But I need to warn you!! July is HOT. and borderline MISERABLE! I don’t know how y’all do it honestly haha. You will sweat, your curls will fall, and your hair will get frizzy. There’s only so much we can do. Your makeup? That will be locked in because my pro makeup artist we work with has the routine on lock to keep your makeup waterproof. Unfortunately, they just don’t have the same technology for hair products to waterproof it. I wish haha.
My birthday is in July. and for my birthday, i want you to reconsider doing your senior photos in July. thank you. ♥️
August
August – August is JUST. AS. HOT.
Everything I said for July applies to August.
Last thing I want to mention about July and August are the summer storms. We can’t control it, we can just be aware of it so that if we need to reschedule we can. 🙂
TRUST ME. Proceed with caution lol.
Oh, and jellyfish. So if you want beach photos in peak summer, beware of the jellies. If you want to get in the water just be prepared for the jellyfish to be around when the water temp is warmer.
September
This is my favorite month for senior photos here in southern maryland. Why? You can get away with soooo much in September. Want to wear long sleeves and jeans? Great. Want to wear your favorite mini dress on the beach? Perfect. The weather is more mild. The humidity has cut down a lot.
October & November
Let’s talk about fall photos.
If you want fall foliage and the glowing red and orange backdrop. You are not going to get that in September or in the beginning of October! My rule of thumb is that the closer to Halloween, the better.
So if you want fall foliage, then late October/early November are your best options.
Early October is still a beautiful time of year here in southern maryland. You just don’t usually get the colors until the end of the month.
November is a great option as well up until Thanksgiving break. The greenery hasn’t usually died by this time. Everyone thinks that November is winter.. And there is still so much beautiful weather in November, don’t count her out too soon!
What to Wear for Senior Photos
Now that you’ve decided on a location, you can think about what to wear for your session! Here are some quick tips I have:
The 3-Outfit Rule
- Classic White – A white dress or top is timeless and screams “senior.”
- Dressy Look – Something polished and elegant.
- Personality Outfit – Trendy, bold, or fun. Let it feel like YOU.
Extra Tips
- Plan 30 minutes per outfit. So if you have a 1 hour session, then plan for 2 outfits.
- Match your clothes to the location (heels + sandy beaches don’t mix).
- Avoid neon or busy patterns — they can reflect on your skin or look dated.
- Don’t forget accessories (hats, jewelry, shoes) to mix it up.
Client Closet Perk
At K Nicole Photography, seniors get access to my client closet of 200+ curated pieces (XS–3XL) that are guaranteed to photograph beautifully.
Hair & Makeup Prep Tips
Every session includes professional hair and makeup, but here are my top tips to help you look your best:
- Don’t try a brand-new hairstyle or makeup look the day of your shoot.
- Stay hydrated and moisturize your skin the week before.
- Touch up nails. Yes, they’ll show in close-ups.
- My pro makeup artist uses waterproof, heat-proof products, especially helpful in July and August.
How to Keep Your Senior Photo Experience Stress-Free
- Book Early: Give yourself at least 4+ weeks before your session date.
- Trust the Process: I’ll guide you on posing, styling, and locations.
- Stay Relaxed: Your job is to enjoy, laugh, and celebrate this milestone — I’ll handle the rest.
✨ I’m not just your photographer, I’m your hype woman. Every senior leaves their session feeling confident, radiant, and celebrated.
How to Book Your Senior Photos in Southern Maryland
Thinking about booking senior portraits in Maryland or Southern Maryland? Here’s how it works:
- Sessions with me, Kristen, typically book 2+ months in advance.
- My team of amazing photographers usually have sooner availability and book around 2-3 weeks in advance.
- To book, just fill out this contact form. I’ll respond within 24 hours!
👉 You can also learn more about the senior experience here.
FAQs
How much do senior photos cost in Southern Maryland?
Prices vary widely by photographer and what they offer. As of September 2025, most clients invest around $1,900 in their senior portrait experience with K Nicole Photography.
When should I book my senior pictures?
Senior portraits with K Nicole Photography sell out every season and book up pretty early. I’d recommend reaching out at least 3 months in advance so you can get your preferred session date.
Do you provide outfit styling?
Of course! Here at K Nicole Photography, we have a client closet of over 200 pieces of clothing ranging in sizes XS-3XL guaranteed to photograph beautifully. You can come try on at the studio any time before your session and then i’ll have them ready for you on session day. We are also partnered with local clothing boutiques that offer exclusive discounts for clients and some let us borrow clothing to wear at your session! I pick up and return the clothing for you. 🙂
How long do sessions last?
Most senior sessions run 1–2 hours, depending on the package and number of outfits.
Can I bring a parent, sibling, or pet to my session?
Absolutely! Your senior year is about memories, and including someone special makes it even better.
Do you offer graduation cap & gown or college T-shirt sessions?
Yes! Many seniors add these as a mini session in spring to celebrate their next chapter. You will learn about all of the extra things I offer for your senior photos after inquiring with me.
