Best Locations for Senior Pictures in Gilbert, Arizona | Professional Senior Photographer

Find the Best Locations in Everyday Places: Fab Photo Spots in Gilbert

As a senior portrait photographer in the East Valley, I’ve scouted many vibrant and beautiful locations, and guess what? If you think your senior pictures have to be complicated, far away, and involve exotic locale, you can think again! I’ve gotten some of the best senior portrait images from spots that are so close you barely have to top off the gas tank to get there. Good thing these days, right? And here’s the best part…a lot of times, you only have to turn around or take a few steps for a completely different look, style, or change of scenery. One of my favorites for both daytime and nighttime photo shoots is San Tan Village in Gilbert.

An Unexpected Photo Venue

When locals hear the name, they may initially think of shopping, entertainment, and food. But from a photographer’s point of view, San Tan Village is so much more! It’s a modern, open-air space that’s full of opportunity. I see a venue that’s quaintly decorated with charming lighting, eclectic chairs, textured walls, modern patterns, and unique storefronts, that provides lots of symmetry and lines for framing the perfect shot. (Bet you didn’t think of all that last time you went shopping, huh?) It really makes it one of the best locations for senior pictures!

The Best Locations for Senior Pictures Offer Variety in One Spot

In the photos below, I took advantage of several of San Tan’s sleek and symmetrical features to offset Marissa’s casual chic style. The daytime lighting was perfect to catch her reflection in a store window. With just the right angle, I was able to pull in a few of the brightly-colored pottery pieces that are scattered along the sidewalk.

I wanted to get a nice close-up of her jean-jacket style, beautiful smile, and flawless look, so a shot with this gorgeous background was a must. Afterward, we angled for some distance shots and a casual shoulder-drop of the jacket. The key to every one of these shots is the vibrant San Tan background with its lively lines and textures. All of these things worked together to add even more star power to Marissa’s overall classy-meets-trendy style.

Impeccable Style & a Smile for Miles

With Rylee, I focused on her cosmopolitan sense of style, which was complemented perfectly by the black and white lines of the building pictured below. Yep, you guessed it! It’s also located in beautiful San Tan Village! Do you recognize the wall? It was taken in front of a store! Post in the comments if you know which one!

She chose a perfectly paired outfit of ripped black skinny jeans topped with a feminine lacy black crop top and peep-toe heels, showing off her talent for mixing and matching textures to create her own unique style. With stunning hair and make-up to top off her mod look, she stood out like a runway model against the lines of the building.

Moving from denim to dress-up, Rylee shifted gears and opted for a black mini tank dress with ankle-tie heels. It was perfectly chic and perfectly simple—allowing me to focus on capturing her vibrant personality and impeccable style. I wanted to get a few photos of her from a distance, as well as some casual candid pics, like the one of her sitting on the back of a bench. One of the things I love about going to San Tan is the variety—all within shopping (er, walking) distance! The colors make it one of the best locations for senior pictures in Gilbert!

Night Lights & Playing in the Street

And then there’s Bren. This beautiful senior couldn’t take a bad picture if she tried! We took things from day to night at San Tan Village, starting with some playful and flirty shots of her playing in the street. I love the fact that traffic moves slowly at this venue, so there are plenty of gaps, which lets us take advantage of crosswalks, street pavers, and signs that we couldn’t capture in other places.

After dark, we let San Tan’s ambience work in our favor, and we took advantage of the pretty lighting. Using it as a background to bring the lovely Bren into focus, I was able to capture both her serious and lighthearted sides. Bren’s senior session went from day to night in multiple locations, so if that’s your style, take a look at her gorgeous outdoor photo shoot.

Finally, she got to enjoy a gourmet chocolate—and of course, I had to capture a photo of her treating her sweet tooth to a much-deserved break after all her hard modeling work. 

The Photographer’s Eye

It’s a blessing and a curse. I’m constantly on the lookout for places that will make excellent photography venues. When you’re at a quaint café drooling over the chocolate cake, I’m looking at the décor and thinking of ways to pull off a vintage shoot incorporating the adorable checked tablecloths and the jukebox. Same thing happens in ditches, beside ponds, and on lunch dates. Lovely, interesting, and artistic places always get bookmarked for a return visit with my camera!

One thing I love most about San Tan Village is how it will look different for every senior! Bella is a beautiful artist, so we did some creative editing to make it look as if she’s painting the mural. She also brought one of her favorite canvases to paint during her session.

What Seniors Want

Whenever I talk to seniors who are getting ready for their photo shoot, they always tell me they’re looking for “something different, pics that highlight their personality…that aren’t like everyone else’s.” That makes a lot of sense to me. After all, their senior pictures should be just as unique as they are!

When it comes to personality, Isobel has enough for 10 seniors and as you can see, San Tan Village was the perfect location for her night time senior pictures. This playful moment was captured just as Isobel was looking over at her mom. Don’t miss the rest of her epic senior portrait session!

Flashback Time

Luckily, today’s high school seniors don’t remember the days of the old-school portrait studio. You know the one with the fuzzy bolster pillow to prop your arms on while you posed in a contorted position and held a fake smile while the photographer rolled down a canvas background behind you? Yeah, you remember. We all looked the same. Sure, we had different features and outfits, but the poses and expressions? Those were all the same. (Unfortunately, for many of us, so were the haircuts.)

I love what I do, and I’m thrilled that today’s senior classes aren’t limited to the roll-down canvas backgrounds we had. There’s an entire world out there, and I’m on the lookout for exciting areas and the best locations for senior pictures every day!

All Over the Valley

Stay tuned to the blog for more amazing Phoenix and East Valley locations for senior pictures. I’ll be highlighting some of my favorites, as well as brand-new treasures I’ve stumbled upon that have turned out to be spectacular spots for lighting, textures, lines, and just plain fun.

Where will your senior pics be? What location makes you feel most like YOU? Have a special hangout, a fave coffee shop you always hit with your bestie? Tell me about it! Chances are, there are some pretty great opportunities for photos in lots of the places you love. Let’s explore!

Contact Arizona’s Best Photographer for Senior Pictures

It’s not always an easy task! But if you’re overwhelmed and need someone to help you through the entire process, that’s where I come in. I’ll help with everything from locations & outfits to grad cards & gifts! Sound good? The first step is to grab your FREE download of the Senior Client Welcome Guide to learn more about Arizona’s best senior portrait experience!

You don’t have to do a lot to get started. Just contact me, and I’ll get you on the schedule (yes, it’s already filling up!) No pressure though, we’ll start with a phone call or consultation to make sure I’m the right photographer for you and answer some of your questions. Don’t forget to follow the blog for great inspiration and ideas for your senior pictures! You can also find me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram where I’m always posting the latest and greatest photos, ideas, and more.