One of the biggest perks of living in NC, especially the Piedmont area, is that we get to fully enjoy every single season, and each one has something beautiful to offer when it comes to photography locations. In the last couple of years, one in particular has become insanely popular (especially for me, with a name like Wildflower in the title! haha)... and that is SPRING! The slightly warmer temps, the pretty flowers, committing to colleges, and the excitement of graduation approaching... it's such a fun time of year.
However, and without fail, I always get requests for specific flowers at various times of the year. Someone wants poppies in October or cosmos in early March. Unfortunately, controlling when flowers bloom is outside the realm of my control. Lol Everything is so dependent on how much rain we get, the temperatures, frost risks, etc.
With that said, I thought I would do a post on each season and examples of what is usually in bloom. This should help you decide when to contact me for your senior portraits and claim a spot on my calendar. Also pay attention to the shades of green and sunset lighting in the background of some of these. This changes throughout the year as well.
Summer and Early Fall
These fields became a fast favorite when I started shooting here. It's one of my most requested locations because the flowers are just so vibrant and fun. Starting in July, the farm bursts into color with cosmos, zinnias, and sunflowers. I usually try to hit a sweet spot when all three are blooming at the same time.
There are TWO bloom time windows. Once in the summer and once again in early Fall (think September, sometimes October if we're lucky). The exact weeks they bloom vary each year with the weather and planting times.
So if this is your absolute top request for senior photos? The time to contact me is the spring before. These are so popular and dates go quickly. Because timing may have to be adjusted as we get closer to bloom time, I also don't overbook myself and keep dates pretty flexible. Planning around flowers can be a big waiting game. I want to make sure my seniors get the most from their session, so making sure the flowers are beautiful for you is a top priority.
Fall
For many years, fall was SENIOR SEASON here in NC. Everyone was obsessed with the boots and cool temps and cute sweaters and colorful leaves... it was THE time for senior photos. I would get to the end of the fall season absolutely wiped from so many shoots. lol In recent years, things have shifted more to spring as far as popularity goes. But I still love fall.
Here are a few reasons fall is a fantastic time for senior photos:
- Getting them done early! Spring is pretty for senior shoots, but it's also one of the busiest times of year during senior year. Proms, banquets, grad parties, etc will all take up your weekends which leaves fewer options for backup rain dates (bc once again, spring!).
- The weather is more predictable. Unlike summer and spring, fall tends to be a bit more reliable when it comes to weather. We can usually know several days ahead if it'll be cool, warm, or raining. The warmer months can give us pop up storms at any given moment.
- The fall colors don't typically arrive until the last week of October, meaning it's usually still nice and green out for most of the season.
- There are still flowers!! What's blooming will depend on the week you choose, but several farms have another round of cosmos, zinnias, and sunflowers typically in September or early October. As long as it stays warm, they'll stick around for a couple weeks! Below you'll see a variety of random flowers that bloom even when it's chilly out as well as how green it stays until the end of October.
Spring
Spring is having quite the moment these last couple of years, and it's easy to see why. Graduation is around the corner, parties are getting planned, and senioritis is getting seriously real. ;) With all that anticipation for the celebrating to start, kicking it off with your senior shoot makes it even more exciting!
So about those spring flowers... there are several things you should know:
There's EARLY spring (March-April) and LATE spring (late April-early June).
Early spring:
Early spring brings the tulips, daffodils, azaleas, hydrangeas, gardenias, peach blossoms, cherry blossoms, and other really pretty garden varieties. If you're wanting to get your photoshoot done in time to have announcements out early, then this is the window for you.
Then there's LATE spring:
Late spring is absolutely gorgeous. When you guys are asking for those "fields of flowers", this is usually what you're picturing. This is when the farms are showing off their beautiful poppy fields, Larkspur, and lavender. These start around late April and go through June. If you're not pressed for a deadline before graduation, then this is perfect. You can also opt to have these done BEFORE your senior year begins! This means you'd have them ready for yearbook ads, grad cards, parties, etc.
You really can't go wrong with any of the seasons. They each have something beautiful to offer, so the most important point I can drive home with all of this is to pick what represents YOU best... not just the flowers, but the fashion, temps outside, and any other locations you'd like to use in addition to the flowers.
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