Senior Pictures During Wildfire Season in Spokane | Smoke, Safety & What Parents Should Know

One of the biggest questions families ask when planning senior portraits in Spokane is:
“What happens if wildfire smoke shows up during our session?”

It’s a completely valid concern — especially since Eastern Washington’s wildfire season typically peaks between late July through September. But what many people don’t realize is that smoke conditions don’t automatically mean poor photos or unsafe shooting environments. The key factor is communication and monitoring conditions together.

Before every outdoor senior session, I actively monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI). If air quality approaches unhealthy levels, we talk — early. Sessions may be adjusted, moved, or rescheduled entirely because your senior’s health always comes first.

These images of Alicia are a perfect real-life example.

Alicia chose a natural Spokane location that reflected her personality — calm, grounded, and effortlessly confident. The river setting, open sky, warm grasses, and reflective water enhanced her natural beauty rather than overpowering it. Even during wildfire season, thoughtful location choice and timing allowed us to create clean, vibrant portraits that feel timeless.

Here’s something surprising:
Light atmospheric haze often enhances photographs rather than ruining them.

In several of these images, you’ll notice soft golden sunsets and diffused light. Mild smoke high in the atmosphere can act like a natural filter, softening harsh sunlight and producing richer tones and more flattering skin light. Most clients are shocked when they learn conditions included distant wildfire haze — because it simply isn’t obvious in the final images.

Professional lighting techniques, lens choice, shooting direction, and editing all play a role in minimizing unwanted visual effects. When smoke is visible, it often presents as warmth and depth rather than distraction.—Now, I say that with caution, because if the smoke is thick, it can be more visible in the photos and cast an orange tint…but this is usually near unhealthy levels when we would be rescheduling anyway.

The Real Secret: Flexibility + Trust

Wildfire season doesn’t mean avoiding summer senior photos — it simply means approaching sessions thoughtfully. Leading up to Alicia’s shoot, we stayed in communication, evaluated conditions, and confirmed that air quality remained within safe levels.

Sometimes that means shifting locations.
Sometimes adjusting session timing.
And occasionally, rescheduling altogether.

Senior year happens once, and Spokane’s natural landscapes are still incredibly worth documenting — even during months that require a little extra awareness. With clear communication, safety-first decision making, and intentional artistic planning, wildfire season becomes just another part of creating meaningful, authentic senior portraits.

And as Alicia’s session shows, beautiful memories don’t disappear because of smoke forecasts — they just require the right photographer guiding the process.