Looking for senior photos that go beyond
cookie-cutter cap-and-gown photos?
If your graduating high school senior marches to the beat of their own drum, well then, you’ve come to the right place.
I specialize in non-traditional senior portraits for creative, artistic, and individualistic teens in the San Francisco Bay Area—Alameda, Oakland, Berkeley and beyond. If you’re new here, this is what I do, and senior portraits are a natural extension of my work. These sessions are designed to capture who your senior really is, not who anyone else thinks they should be.
I know something about being the kid who doesn’t quite fit in. I grew up in the Midwest in the 90s as one of three other Asian kids in my high school. I was a bit of a misfit. Weird, on purpose and not. It wasn’t until my young adult years that I started seeing my weirdness as a good thing.
Now when I photograph seniors, I see versions of my high school self, kids who’ve never quite fit the mold, and the parents who wouldn’t change a thing about them.
Honestly? I get emotional at graduations for kids who aren’t even mine. Because I know what it feels like to finally embrace being different. And watching these incredible humans refuse to dim their light for anyone? It gets me every time.
So I’ve created this space where kids can celebrate their uniqueness as a superpower. These sessions are for the high school versions of myself, and for every senior who deserves to be seen exactly as they are.
What Makes a Non-Traditional Senior Portrait Session Different?
My approach to senior photography is simple: forget the generic studio backdrops and stiff poses. We’ll find locations that reflect who your senior actually is. We’ll incorporate their interests, their style, their personality into every shot. This is their story to tell, and they get creative input every step of the way. It’s a judgment-free zone where being different isn’t just accepted—it’s celebrated. The result? Images that feel more like a fashion editorial than a yearbook photo.
Where We Shoot: SF Bay Area Locations That Feel Like You
Location is everything in a session like this. Whether that’s the rolling hills of Redwood Regional Park, the beaches or the old aircraft hangers in Alameda, the urban sculptures at Albany Bulb, the murals of Oakland’s Temescal neighborhood…or somewhere entirely personal to your senior—we’ll find the backdrop that tells their story. I’m based in Alameda and work throughout the East Bay, so I know these spots well and love finding new ones. And if your senior has a connection to San Francisco, the Mission and Noe Valley neighborhoods are my old stomping grounds, and I’m always happy to revisit them.
To all the parents preparing your hearts for graduations 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. These aren’t just photos—they’re a celebration of the journey. The hiccups, the growth, the moments when your kid refused to conform and you supported them anyway. This is about honoring who they’ve become and the unique gift they’re about to share with the world.
If traditional studio portraits aren’t your senior’s vibe, let’s create something that actually feels like them. Something you’ll both treasure. I have limited spots available for The Class of 2026 graduating seniors in Alameda, Berkeley, Oakland and across the Bay Area. Let’s chat and celebrate the firsts of their lasts, together.
Have questions? Here are a few I hear most often.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you only shoot in Alameda?
Not at all. I’m based in Alameda but work throughout the East Bay—Oakland, Berkeley, Piedmont, and surrounding areas. I’m also happy to travel across the Bay Bridge if it’s meaningful to your senior.
How long is a senior portrait session?
Sessions typically run 1–2 hours, depending on the package. That gives us enough time to try a few different looks and locations without it feeling rushed. Your senior will have plenty of room to settle in and just be themselves.
What should my senior wear?
Whatever makes them feel most like themselves. I always recommend bringing 2–3 outfits so we can mix it up. Avoid logos or very busy patterns that might date the photos, but beyond that—their style, their rules. I’ve also put together a session prep guide made specifically for senior portraits that cover outfit ideas in much more detail.
What if my senior is camera-shy?
Honestly, some of my favorite sessions are with kids who walk in nervous and leave laughing. I keep things relaxed, low-pressure, and fun. There are no wrong faces or wrong poses here—just real moments. By the end, most seniors forget the camera is even there.
