Bringing Spring Locations to the Summer Season
Attention seniors looking for gorgeous flowers and sunny skies for their senior portraits! What if we told you that this stunning spring-y session was actually shot in smack-middle of summer?!
Destiny’s Senior Session brought all of the best spring-time vibes with all of the convenience of shooting in the summer! If we could, we’d shoot ALL of our seniors during the summer months. Between the freedom in your schedules with no school, consistent weather with no fear of rain, and ideal sunrise times to keep you cool and bright – summer is the season to beat.
But we totally get it, having a floral backdrop for your session is a want for a ton of our seniors! And while the spring time does offer some super beautiful and unique blooms, don’t count out those summer flowers!
Looking for proof? Just check out Destiny’s session below!
Bright, Golden Fields
We started Destiny’s session in the wide open wheat fields. This location is one of our summer favorites, since we can edit it to any aesthetic. Wanting these fields to be a proper golden oasis? Or a bright, neutral haven like Destiny’s shoot? Either way, these fields can give us the best of both!
Vineyard Greenery
A senior session classic. Vineyards are a gorgeous way to incorporate greenery in the summer. While fields like our first location are dried up, vineyards stay lush and vibrant through the summer months! This helps to bring some gorgeous natural color to your session.
Angelic Orchards
We’ll be honest here, the lighting at this orchard on Destiny’s session day made it our favorite of the shoot! Between this adorable outfit and the country-ish field, our cottage core aesthetic hearts were beatin’ fast 😍
The Flowers You’ve All Been Waiting For
Ending Destiny’s session off with a beautiful POP of color! These hydrangeas were such the perfect find to bring Destiny’s entire session together. I mean, how sweet is this color palette?! We couldn’t have wished more a more perfect bundle of florals for this shoot.
Believe Us Yet?
You can check out even more from Destiny’s session below to decide for yourself! This session just goes to show that you don’t need to wait until the spring for a spring aesthetic session! Save yourself the stress of a rained-out shoot, late bloomers, and cloudy showers. Summer sessions are the ultimate opportunity to get the best of everything!
Are you a Class of 2025 senior and ready to make your summer session happen? Visit the link below to learn more about our sessions!
For our Class of 2024 seniors still needing to squeeze in before graduation, make sure to click that button below to get started on your session planning!
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ABOUT OUR GIRL GANG
We’ve been running our Senior Sorority Program for almost 10 years now! Although, once upon a time we called it the Senior Model Team. Regardless of the name, we hold the gals of this program in a special place in our hearts.
But what exactly is the Senior Sorority and what do they do? Let’s talk about it!
What is the Senior Sorority?
The Senior Sorority program is a great chance for girls in their Junior year of high school to get on our senior session calendar early, while ALSO receiving a ton of extra perks throughout the year! From extra themed bonus shoots, to volunteering events, and even internship opportunities, these girls have the chance to participate in a ton of extra activities with us here at the studio.
These extra shoots and activities help the girls to get to know us and get comfortable in front of the camera, so that their senior session is nothing but fun! All of the time we get to spend with these gals also helps us to get to know them and their unique personalities which is a huge help when taking their senior photos.
If you’ve been thinking about having your senior portraits shot with our studio, you should 100% be signing up the Senior Sorority to receive all of the year-round perks!
What does the Senior Sorority do?
Every year, the specific shoots and activities for our Senior Sorority will vary!
YOUR SENIOR SESSION
Every girl on the Sorority will do their individual Senior Session with us! This shoot is 100% your own, and we’ll help you plan everything from locations, to outfits, and props. This day will be entirely yours, and by the time this shoot rolls around, you’ll have already had a ton of practice shooting with your photographer, Brianna, on our Sorority themed shoots!
You can learn more about our Senior Sessions here!
THEMED PHOTO SHOOTS
Speaking of themed shoots, every year we decide on a variety of themed photo shoots for our Senior Sorority to participate in! Check out of few of our past favorites here!
These themed shoots often include full wardrobe styling, hair + makeup, and an opportunity to shoot with and make new friends with girls from schools across the community! You’ll get to choose the shoots you’re a part of and receive those photos as a perk of being on our Sorority!
EVENTS, ACTIVITIES, AND INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
But it’s not ALL about photos. The girls on our Sorority also have the opportunity to attend and take part in events and activities throughout the year. Our Sorority internship is an exclusive opportunity for girls to receive work experience and credits towards their senior portraits. This internship is a great little bump for college applications too *wink wink*.
This is all in addition to events like our Meet + Greet at the beginning of the program. This is where all of the girls will meet for the first time!
What does the Senior Sorority cost?
Being on the Sorority comes at no cost. The girls on our Sorority are only paying for their Senior Portrait package – the same as any of our other seniors. The perks of being on the Senior Sorority (photo shoots, activities, events, internship, etc.) are just bonuses for signing onto the program so early in the year!
How do I sign up?
Every year, we host Sorority Info Meetings at our studio to give a presentation on the program details, Senior Session pricing, and more! This is a great chance for parents and seniors to get all of the information they need, meet us, and tour the studio before deciding if they’d like to be a part of the program.
To get on the waitlist to join us for a Senior Sorority Meeting for our Class of 2025 program, make sure to text “SORORITY” to (707)285-9338!
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10 THINGS SENIORS NEED TO KNOW
Let’s touch base on the top ten questions you should be asking your High School Senior Photographer before and after your shoot. It’s so important to have all of the information you need before committing to a photographer! These are a few of the most popular FAQ’s we receive from our clients:
Q: How much is a session?
A: We split our session cost into 2 parts: a session fee + the cost of the products/images you want. All of our clients get full pricing information before deciding if they’d like to book. No surprises here!
Q: Do you edit all of my images?
A: Yes! We do retouch all of the images you purchase, but not in a way that is unnatural. Especially with our senior clients, our editing focus is on editing out little things like flyaway hairs, background distractions, breakouts, etc.
Q: Do you offer printed products or digital images?
A: We offer both digital and printed products! It will be entirely up to you on what type of products you head home with after your session. Need some prints to hang up around the house? Digitals to post or print on grad announcements? Or maybe the best of both? We’ve got it all!
Q: Are you able to submit my photos for my school’s yearbook?
A: Depending on your school’s yearbook policies, 3rd party photographers may or may not be able to submit your photos to be printed in the yearbook. It’s important to check with your school’s approved photographers before expecting your photos with us to be in the yearbook!
Also be aware of yearbook deadlines, they’re probably earlier than you think!
Q: Where are you located?
A: Our permanent studio is located in Vacaville, CA. Senior sessions are available for shooting in our beautiful downtown studio or up to 80 miles away!
Q: How do I prepare?
A: We will send you our Senior Session Prep Guide after you book your session with us! This will be packed with tips and tricks. You’ll also do a Pre-session Planning Phone Call with your photographer to discuss session ideas, ask questions, and more!
It’s also never too early to get your appointments scheduled before your session! Shopping for outfits, nails, hair, etc.
Check out our Top 5 Senior Session Tips blog post to feel 100% prepared!
Q: When will I see my images?
A: You will see your images immediately after your session. We will break for breakfast/lunch and then you will have a viewing session with your photographer to review and select the images you wish to purchase on your session day!
Q: What do I need to bring to my session?
A: All you’ll need to bring to your session is any potential outfits, props, and accessories you may want to shoot with during your session. Make sure to pack all of these up the night before, since your session will likely be starting before sunrise!
Q: Is a parent required to be a part of this experience?
A: Yes, we do require at least one parent throughout every step of your senior session! From your first phone consultation, to your shoot, to your viewing appointment on the session day – we require that a parent be with you to help make any major decisions! Plus, we want parents to be able to experience and be a part of this event with you.
Q: When should I book my session?
A: We recommend reaching out to book your session at least 3 months in advance. You calendars for each graduating year begin filling up in the summer following Junior year, so the sooner you get on the books, the better!
AKA: Class of 2024 book now!
Wondering what month or season is best for you? Check out our blog post to find out!
Our question for you: You ready?
Now that you’re all caught up on what to know, go ahead and click the button below to take the next steps towards your dream senior session!
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BRIANNA’S FAV SENIOR SESSION OF THE YEAR? 👀
Before you ask, no this isn’t a men’s fashion model that we hired off of Craigslist. Britt goes wayyy back with the Pink Door Team. Considering, he is the son of our studio’s very talented Associate Photographer, Tamika 🤣 The coolness gene runs deep in this family, so it’s no surprise that Britt’s senior session was top notch. I mean c’mon, the guy wore overalls!
The Session Details
We took a trip to downtown Woodland for Britt’s Senior Session. This place has the perfect vintage vibe that matched flawlessly to Britt’s session wardrobe. From the aesthetic peach walls, to the retro movie theater, we knew we were in for a good one.
As you can tell, Britt is artistically gifted in all sorts of ways. Not only does he have killer style AND plays the guitar. Britt is also a man of the ✨theater✨. Which is why we had to get some shots on stage inside of the Woodland Opera House. This location has always been so kind in letting us shoot in the building and on stage – the perfect setting to round out Britt’s session!
A Little Editing Magic
While shooting outside of Woodland’s State Movie Theater, Tamika and Brianna had a vision. One that only our talented Head of Production and Design, Riley, could bring to life. What was originally a simple photo of Britt lounging in front of a movie poster, would later become the BEST grad announcement photo EVER.
Using the canvas of the original movie poster, Riley superimposed Britt’s Opera House photo in its place to act as the grad announcement! Adding in a little extra personalization (peep the “now graduating” phrase above the new poster), Riley absolutely NAILED this edit!
Check It Out!
Ready to see what all of the hype it about?! Keep scrolling to view some of our very favorites from Britt’s session! Including a before and after that will blow your mind 🙌🏻
(and keep scrolling to learn more about scheduling your senior portraits with us 😉)
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WE KNOW WHAT YOU WANT
Needless to say, we’ve shot A LOT of Senior Sessions in our day. With every new year, comes new trends and ideas that we love to capture! Although, the endless amount of options you have for your session could get overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created a step-by-step process to make sure we have a clear idea of what you want, even when you’re not really sure yourself!
Step 1: Your Phone Consultation
Phone consultations are the first step for any and every one of our clients. During this call, we’ll chat all about you and your ideas! This will help us to give you all of the details you need before deciding to book your session with our studio.
We’ll go over how our senior experience works, a timeline of your session date, and all of the pricing based on the type of session you’re wanting!
This will be a quick glimpse into your session, but don’t worry, you won’t need to have a super clear idea for your session this early in the process!
Step 2: Your Senior Session Questionnaire
Right after you’ve booked your session with us, we’ll send over your Senior Session Questionnaire to your email!
This questionnaire will ask you a ton of questions about locations, hair and makeup, outfits, hobbies, and everything in between. This helps us get to know you before we’ve actually met. We’ll also ask you to share any inspo photos with us from our Pinterest + Instagram pages!
Based on your answers, you photographer will be able to start creating a game plan for your session day.
Step 3: Your Session Planning Call
During this call, we’ll have you, a parent, and your photographer chat one-on-one about all of your specific wants, needs, and ideas for your shoot.
Based on your questionnaire answers, your photographer will be able to share her location and outfit ideas, recommendations, and examples to give you a better idea of what your session will look like.
Your photographer will also give you a detailed checklist of things to do and prepare for your big day!
READY TO GET SCHEDULED?
Hopefully this little breakdown has you feeling a little less stressed about your Senior Session planning! Always remember that we’re here from beginning to end to help bring all of your wants and dreams to life.
We’re currently booking Class of 2024 Seniors, so it’s time to reach out! Click the button below to schedule your phone consultation with our team to learn even more about our Senior Sessions!
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We always want to make sure our clients are fully prepared when they walk through our pink door! That’s why we provide you with tons of tips to make your session day as smooth as possible.
Here are the top five tips we give every client before their session with us:
Pre-Session Prep Tips!
01. Try-on ALL of your outfits
The last thing you want is to show up on the day of your session, change into a brand new outfit, and realize it doesn’t fit. Pair different options together to make sure that every combination works!
We know online shopping is super popular for seniors. That’s why it’s even more important to try on those new pieces ASAP. Before ripping off tags and committing to a look you don’t end up loving! Even if you’re sticking to your tried-and-true favorites, it’s still important to test out those outfit ideas beforehand.
And don’t leave this step to the night before! The last thing you want is to be scouring Target in a last-minute search for your new favorite outfit.
02. Practice the poses
Seriously! Not only is it super important to try-on any and every piece you plan to bring, but it doesn’t hurt to also practice posing in each outfit in front of a mirror! That way, you can check to make sure everything fits how you want it to, no matter the pose!
We never want you to feel uncomfortable during your shoot. Make sure that nothing is too short, too cropped, or too hard to walk in!
Session Day Tips!
03. Plan for breakfast + snacks
Since most of our sessions are shot at sunrise, you’ll be arriving to the studio pretty early in the morning. We know coffee is a must for most of our seniors to have any ounce of energy so early in the morning. With that in mind, don’t be tempted to stop at Starbucks before the studio! You’ll be in hair + makeup for about an hour before we pack up and head to our shooting locations. That is the perfect time for mom or dad to make your coffee run!
We’ll be wrapping up your session anytime between 9am-11am. That will be the opportunity to enjoy your morning and replenish your body with a bomb breakfast. Plan to stop by one of the many breakfast spots downtown during your break! We always love a good Heritage House breakfast!
04. Drink tons of water
We know coffee seems like the most important fuel for your big day, but don’t forget to drink water too! It’s important to stay hydrated, especially on the day of your shoot. Drinking plenty of water leading up to your session helps clear up your skin and keep you from looking tired during your early morning session.
05. Arrive with a clean face and clean, dry hair
It’s very important to show up on the day of your shoot with clean, blow-dried hair and a clean face. You can put moisturizer on if you wish but other than that our professional Glam Squad will do the rest!
Fresh hair will ensure that you’ve got the most volume for your shoot. We recommend washing the night before, blowdrying, and sleeping in a protective style like a simple braid!
Ready For More?
When you book your senior session with us, you’ll receive our Senior Session Prep Guide with even more tips for your big day!
The next step is to click the button below to schedule your phone consultation with us. During this call, we’ll go over more details, and get your session booked!
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Senior Portraits | Benicia, CA
Incorporating personal touches in your high school senior portraits is SO important to really document who you are at this special time in life. Some common props that our seniors bring to their sessions are things like sports gear, cars, pets, trophies, medals, the list goes on!
Malia certainly understood that assignment when she came to us for her senior portraits!
Head to the Courts
We started the day off at an outdoor basketball court here in town. Originally, Malia wanted to shoot in her high school gym, but getting access to those kind of school properties can be tough. No need to worry though, finding this court made her session feel so much brighter and fun! We are suckers for good outdoor lighting, and this location was no exception. Paired with Malia’s school basketball uniform (since when are basketball uniforms so cute??), these sports photos are some of our favorites EVER!
From there, we took a trip towards Benicia to shoot with Malia’s bright red jeep. Although, along the way, we found a lone almond blossom tree on the side of the road. You KNOW we had to make a pit stop for that beauty. Finding these tress is sometimes just pure luck, since they bloom and die in about 2 seconds (yes, that’s an accurate count). Luckily, Malia had this perfect burgundy dress to pair with this location. Safe to say that we are obsessed with how sweet this outfit turned out!
Get In, Girl! We’re Going Shooting
Eventually, we made it to Benicia to soak up the sun in Malia’s Jeep. The gorgeous palm trees and radiant sun made for the most summer-y vibe to round out Malia’s sunny session. Luckily, the wind was on our side too, which made for some super fun and carefree poses!
Finally, we ended the day with a few simple shots for Malia’s college decision announcement photos. Malia will continue playing basketball for the UC Merced Bobcats next school year! We are so honored to have gotten the chance to document this major decision.
As you can see, Malia’s senior portraits are the perfect mix of so many personal touches. While she prepares for the next chapter of her life, she’ll always have these photos to look back on. You can check out some of our favorites from Malia’s Senior Portraits below!
READY FOR YOUR MOMENT?
If you’re feeling inspired by Malia’s gorgeous session (I mean, how could you NOT be?!), click the button below to learn more about our high school senior portraits!
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FIND OUT WHICH SEASON IS RIGHT FOR YOU!
Summer Sessions
For busy bee seniors that want major sunshine, summer is the perfect time to get your senior portraits taken care of. With school out of session, you’ll have way more time plan and prep for your big day. No missed classes and guaranteed good weather!
Summer sessions are bright, but usually more neutral since everything is 100% burnt to a crisp from the hot weather. Don’t worry about melting during your session though. Our sessions are shot at sunrise, so the sun hasn’t gotten a chance to get cookin’!
Popular Summer Senior Portrait Locations: green vineyards, golden wheat fields, sunflower fields, beaches, creeks, etc.
Check out Hailey’s Summer Senior Session here!
Fall Sessions
Luckily for us Californians, the fall is pretty much a catch-all of location and season options! If you shoot in the early month of fall, it’ll still be quite warm, neutral, and sunny.
Although, if you’re hoping for the bright fall colors and cozier outfits while still avoiding the rain, later fall is the perfect time for you! Skirts and dresses are still an option without freezing your legs off, but the leaves and trees are a gorgeous glowing orange wherever we go!
Popular Fall Senior Portrait Locations: open woodsy areas, urban cities, vineyards/wineries, etc.
Check out Brooklynn’s Fall Senior Session here!
Spring Sessions
While the looming threat of sporadic gloomy days does sometimes rain on our parade (literally), the beautiful blooms that come accompany it are worth the wait! Booking for the early spring months is a safe start to getting those flowers and greenery that spring offers. April is usually when the rain gets real, so we recommend getting on the schedule ahead of time!
FYI, if you’re hoping to shoot with the stunning orchards of almond blossoms, book EARLY! Those babies are here for one second and gone the next, so make sure you’re on the books and ready to shoot when they make their appearance!
Popular Spring Senior Portrait Locations: wildflower fields, beaches, almond blossom orchards, etc.
Check out Sam’s Spring Senior Session here!
GOT YOUR ANSWER?
And ready to get your dream Senior Portrait Session on the calendar? Click the button below to schedule your one-on-one phone consultation with our team to go over all of the session, pricing, and scheduling details!
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From the fields, to the lake, to open roads, and beyond!
Winters, Ca
Hailey’s Summer Senior Portraits nailed a ton of our most popular Summer locations all in one shoot!
We started the day off easy, shooting in the golden wheat fields! These golden field locations are at their best right in the middle of summer. When the sunrise is reflecting perfectly on these already golden wheats, it makes for a gorgeous glow!
Along with wide open fields, usually comes a wide open country road. Since we are shooting so early in the morning for Summer Senior Sessions, we don’t need to worry about dodging traffic! We’ve got all the time in the world to safely capture these open roads.
Next up for Hailey’s senior session, we stopped at some beautifully blooming vineyards! Hailey’s session was shot towards the end of June, so we were able to catch these beautiful green vines. This location, paired with Hailey’s gorgeous pop of red outfit, was the perfect summer spot!
And finally, we arrive at our last location of the day! Tucked away in Downtown Winters, we shot Hailey’s final outfit in the Putah Creek. Hailey wore the cutest white dress, and toughed it out as she took a dip into the cold creek water. Even though her session was well into the summer season, the creek doesn’t tend to warm up quickly in the early mornings. 😬 Luckily, we’re experts at editing out goosebumps, so you’d never know a thing!
Hailey’s session covered so many of our most popular summer senior portrait locations, especially for our more country-side seniors! Check out the gallery below to check them out!
READY TO BOOK YOUR DREAM SENIOR PORTRAITS?
If you’re feeling inspired by Hailey’s Summer Senior Portraits, make sure to click the button below to schedule a one-on-one phone consultation with out team! During this call, we’ll give you all the details on our sessions, pricing, scheduling, and more!
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Spring was in full bloom for Sam’s gorgeous Senior Session!
Davis, California
Sam’s Spring Senior Session was surely one for the books!
As you can see from the stunning photos below, the Spring blooms really came through for some gorgeous backdrops! But what’s beauty without a little bit of pain…
You’d never know it from Sam’s spotless white boots and smooth skin, but our first location of the day put up quite the fight. This almond blossom orchard in Dixon, CA really put us to the test. With a 7am shoot time, Sam toughed out the 38 degree morning in her cute little dress and no complaints!
Not only that, but the recent rainy days made for a VERY muddy runway. 😅 Literally had to buy a new pair of shootin’ boots after this session since my old trusty pair was covered in mounds of mud. Our number 1 priority was to keep Sam’s bright white boots in pristine condition, so you better believe I was wiping those babies down with every step! Take a close look at Sam’s boots in those photos, you can tell we took that job very seriously.
That wasn’t the end of our trip to this DIY mud spa…
Once we had all of the gorgeous photos we needed at the orchard, we climbed back into the Jeep to head to the next stop. Although, when I hit the gas to pull back onto the road…it was clear we weren’t getting far 😂
My tires had SUNK into deep mud…and trouble. Plan B was to call a literal tow truck to drag us out of this hole. But I had faith that the shooting team (Tamika, Kristen, and I) could muster up the strength to get ourselves out of this mess.
For what felt like the next 10 hours, the three of us heaved our entire bodies to and fro. We struggled to rock this little baby Jeep out of the cozy mud hole it made for itself. And yet, after the millionth “HEAVE”, I tried the gas again…WE MADE IT.
Finally, we were back on track and ready to head to our next stop!
The Davis Arboretum was much easier on us, thank god! We were able to shoot Sam’s two remaining outfits in the redwoods of Davis, easy peasy. We even got Sam’s pup to join us for a few photos 🐶
You can check out some of our favorites from this eventful day below!
READY TO BOOK YOUR DREAM SENIOR PORTRAITS?
If you are or know of a Class of 2023/2024 senior, our calendar is OPEN for bookings. Click that little button below to schedule your phone consultation to plan your dream senior session!
We can almost promise it won’t be as muddy as this one 😅
