Graduation Pictures at Sunrise by the Superstition Mountains | East Mesa Senior Photographer

East Mesa Senior Photographer

Getting a photo shoot off to an early start is daunting, but not for Maria! After having the wonderful idea of rising with the sun so that we could use it creeping over the horizon as a background – I couldn’t say no! Doing anything for the perfect shot – even getting up at 6am.

Sunrise Graduation Pictures by the Superstition Mountains

So, I dragged myself out of bed, piled all of my gear into my car, and off I went to meet Maria at the beautiful Superstition mountains. There, Maria’s sunrise vision became a reality and boy did it look fantastic on camera! The shot was so perfect and Maria’s energy was so catchy that I somehow forgot it was the crack of dawn.

Looking Gorgeous in Yellow!

Recently graduated from East Valley Academy, Maria plans on becoming an elementary school teacher someday, and I can see it! Her infectious warmth, enthusiasm, with a side of fun, would be magnetic to kids. Plus, yellow just seems like such a “my favorite teacher” color, and it just so happens to look sublime on Maria. Coincidence? I think not!

Mixing & Matching with Another Favorite Hat

With just a quick dip into the style closet we found the perfect summer hat to accompany Maria’s gorgeous yellow dress. Maria here is playing with her wonderful deep brown hair which adds life and ‘oomph’ to the image. Speaking of hair, I’ve dealt with all types. You name it – I’ve snapped it. My hair editing skills know no bounds and if anyone ever thinks their mane might be the exception, they’re never right! Stray hairs are basic retouching with all my senior sessions.

Finding inspiration in the seemingly ordinary

But if there’s one outfit that I just adored, it was Maria’s playful pink & white overalls. Aren’t they just adorable!? But really, everything she put on she wore with unshakeable confidence. She owned every single one of her outfits including these cute daisy sunglasses from the style closet.

Of course, we had to match Maria’s happy-go-lucky attitude with a few laid-back yet fun photos. We found a darling little farm store that was just too cute. It’s the little things like this that you might miss in day-to-day life but make all the difference in photos.

A shout-out to the moms!

Every photoshoot has some blips; that’s just how it is in photography. All that posing, bending, lighting, clicking, something’s bound to give at least once. This time around, it was Maria’s lovely mother who took the wrap!

Like any doting mom, she was doing her best to use a reflector to block out the pesky light, and she was doing a good job! The only issue is that we were next to a stream, and one step too many led to a bit of an accidental splash. But Maria’s mom wasn’t bothered in the slightest; in fact, she even hopped into a few photos afterward! I always encourage moms to take part in the photoshoot and maybe jump into a few shots every now and then.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask!

If there’s one thing I could mention really quick, it’s that I LOVE the moms! It’s great having them around, and I hope to make them comfortable at every step. Maria’s mom wasn’t quite yet comfortable with English and let’s face it, the English used during a photoshoot can be all over the place. Most clients can’t keep track of the jargon at the best of times! I’d just like to let her know and the other moms that if you need me to slow down or speak a bit more clearly PLEASE ask. I’m more than happy to help and I don’t bite, not even in the slightest. Well, maybe sometimes. Ok, nope, never. I might throw a grapefruit, but I never bite! LOL!

I can’t thank Maria and her wonderful mom enough for the great morning we spent together! I had so much fun and can’t wait to have Maria’s little brother in front of my camera when he graduates in a few short years!

The Rewards

Maria and her mother were ecstatic at their image preview, but receiving their gorgeous image box and storyboard was even better!

Dressing Right for Your Photo Shoot

Being comfortable during a photoshoot is incredibly important. Heck! We can barely sleep if we’re uncomfortable; what makes us think we’ll be able to pose!? I guess Maria got the memo because she just knew how to dress. She radiated confidence in every single one of her outfits!

Want to find out how you can too? Let’s take a look:

• Dressing for your size: If you feel like your outfit is wearing you or that you can’t move around comfortably in it – it might be time to rethink. Clothing that fits properly is a necessity!
• Your day-to-day: While it’s nice to want to look your best and dress up for a photoshoot, it’s best not to go overboard and launch yourself into unfamiliar territory. Wear what you know and makes you feel confident!
• Outfits Galore! If you’re not sure what outfit will feel like “you” on the day – bring them all along! There’s no limit and plenty of try-on time!