Planning a non-traditional senior session starts with one question: where does your senior’s story begin? For this Oakland graduate, the answer was Fairyland—the storybook park where time stands still, except when you’re graduating, and suddenly it doesn’t.
I’ve been photographing families across the San Francisco Bay Area for over a decade, and I’ve had the privilege of watching many of these kids grow up. They come back as seniors, and suddenly they’re not little anymore.
I get it. My own kid took their first steps at Fairyland, and now they’re a freshman in high school. Time flies, and these creative senior sessions are my way of helping families pause and celebrate who their kids have become before they launch into the world.
The Planning: A Collaborative Effort
This session didn’t just happen—it was planned with intention. His mom came to the table excited and prepared, sharing childhood photos of him in the astronaut helmet he wore nonstop as a kid. “Should we bring it?” she asked. Absolutely.
What I loved was how collaborative the whole process felt. She bounced ideas off of him, and he filled out a pre-session questionnaire so I could understand his vision too. By the time we met at Fairyland, she showed up with a rolling suitcase full of treasures—including that helmet. We were all on the same page, which makes these creative senior portraits work beautifully. Sometimes it’s the parent gathering the memories, sometimes it’s the senior curating their own story, sometimes it’s both. I’m happy to collab with whoever’s excited about making something personal.
Choosing a Location That Tells Their Story
When planning non-traditional senior portraits, location is everything. Forget generic studio backdrops—the best sessions happen in places that actually mean something.
For this graduate, that place was Fairyland. Oakland’s beloved storybook park where he spent countless afternoons as a kid, where wonder and imagination felt limitless. Returning at seventeen, on the cusp of graduation, created this beautiful full-circle moment. We started at the entrance with the Old Lady in the Shoe and the Dragon mascot—fixtures that have been greeting East Bay families for generations. Standing next to that dragon, his mom got nostalgic. “Puff the Magic Dragon,” she whispered.
That’s the power of a meaningful location. It’s not just a backdrop—it becomes part of the story. And when you’re somewhere familiar, somewhere that feels like yours, you relax. You’re comfortable being yourself. That ease shows up in every frame.
How to choose a location: Think about where time was spent as a kid. The elementary school playground. The library where favorite books were discovered. The skate park. The theater. Even a backyard if that’s where the memories live. Multiple locations can represent different chapters of the journey. And if there’s a connection to San Francisco—whether it’s the Mission murals, Golden Gate Park, or a favorite neighborhood—morning family sessions can happen anywhere across the Bay Area.
Personal Items That Add Meaning
The astronaut helmet was the star of this session, hands down. He wore it nonstop as a little kid—his mom had photos to prove it. Bringing it back for his senior portraits? That’s the kind of detail that transforms a photo into a time capsule.
Personal items work because they tell a story without saying a word. They ground the session in who someone actually is, not just what they look like at seventeen. The helmet wasn’t a prop—it was a piece of his history, a callback to the kid who dreamed big and never stopped. But it also pointed forward. That same curiosity, that same wonder—it’s still there, just aimed at what’s next.
What to bring: One or two meaningful items, max. Something that represents the past or points to the future. A musical instrument. A piece of art. A childhood treasure. The key is that it means something real. If it feels forced, skip it.
Planning Multiple Outfits
He brought three outfit changes, including his cap and gown, and we moved through them easily. Nothing too cumbersome, just thoughtful choices that reflected different sides of who he is.
Multiple outfits give the session range—different moods, different vibes, different chapters all in one shoot. The key is keeping it simple. Outfits that feel like you, that you’d actually wear, not costumes. And changes that don’t require a full production to pull off.
For detailed guidance on choosing outfits, color palettes, and what works best on camera, I put together a comprehensive senior session prep guide that walks through all of it. (Seriously, past clients have told me it’s been incredibly helpful.) If you book a session, you’ll get the full guide—but the short version is: bring what feels authentic, skip anything that feels like you’re trying too hard, and trust your gut.
The Session: From Fairyland to Lake Merritt
By the time we made our way to Lake Merritt, the light was turning golden. He stood by the water with downtown Oakland’s skyline in the distance—exactly what he’d asked for in his questionnaire. The modern architecture, the pink sky, the reflections on the lake. It was the perfect contrast to where we started at Fairyland, and it represented exactly where he’s headed.
When he put on the astronaut helmet one last time, passersby stopped to cheer him on. That’s the thing about shooting in public spaces around the East Bay—people recognize the moment for what it is. A celebration.
We ended the session with some tender shots of him and his mom. Watching from the sidelines all afternoon, I could feel her heart—proud, nostalgic, maybe a little bittersweet. These seniors aren’t little anymore, and that hits differently when you’re the one who’s been there since the beginning.
To all the parents preparing for graduation and the reality of an empty nest on the horizon: this is your reminder that it’s never too late to celebrate these incredible humans you’ve raised. And to the seniors reading this: you’re at this wild in-between moment—not a kid anymore, not quite launched yet. These sessions are about honoring exactly where you are right now, before everything changes.
These aren’t just photos—they’re a pause button on a moment that’s already slipping away. A chance to honor who you’ve become and the unique path you’re about to walk.
If traditional studio portraits don’t feel right, let’s create something that does. Something personal, creative, and completely you. I have limited spots available for Class of 2027 seniors across the East Bay—Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley, and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a senior portrait session?
Sessions typically run 1–2 hours, depending on the package. That gives enough time to try a few different looks and locations without it feeling rushed. There’s plenty of room to settle in and just be.
Do you help with location planning?
Absolutely. If there’s a meaningful spot already in mind, we start there. If not, I’ll suggest locations based on interests, style, and what feels right. I’ve been photographing families across the San Francisco Bay Area for years, so I know these areas well.
Do you only shoot in the East Bay?
For senior sessions, yes—since they’re typically done near sunset, I keep them in the East Bay (Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley, and surrounding areas) for timing and light. I’ve been photographing families from San Francisco to Berkeley for years, so I know the Bay Area well. Morning sessions can happen almost anywhere across the Bay Area, but let’s be real: teens prefer sunset. Because teen.
What if my senior is camera-shy?
The pre-session questionnaire helps me get to know them before we even meet, which makes a huge difference. And I’m an open book—if there are ever any questions or nerves, get in touch. That said, my session prep guide usually answers everything. Most seniors who start out nervous end up laughing and forgetting the camera is even there.
Ready to plan your senior session?
I have limited spots available for Class of 2027 seniors. Let’s chat.
