
Desert Backdrop
Many seniors want to include the breathtaking beauty of the Arizona desert in their senior portrait session. It can provide a stunning backdrop that includes rugged beauty bathed in the warm, golden glow of the sun. However, some of the most iconic desert scenes are not near other popular senior portrait locations, meaning you’ll have only desert images in your gallery. Rather than heading to Usery Pass or Goldfield Ghost Town, I find other hidden desert gems so you’ll have much more variety! For Sierra, that means using a cute little street corner with some rustic metal and cacti situated in the middle of an East Mesa neighborhood.

You can see all the variety got in just 20 minutes! The cactus gave Sierra the rustic desert vibe she wanted, and the metal texture was the perfect addition.
Cap & Gown: Cowgirl Style
Sierra was determined to make her senior portraits stand out. Embracing her love for adventure and individuality, she made a bold decision to pair her classic cap and gown with these super cute leopard print boots. The contrast between the traditional attire and rustic boots created an edgy and memorable look, showcasing Sierra’s ability to seamlessly blend tradition with her unique personality. I can honestly say this is the first teen to grab boots with her attire, and I couldn’t love it more!

One important reminder is to always have a complete outfit underneath your cap & gown. The front of your gown might be open or you can casually drape the gown over your shoulder. These are easy poses that grads love! Sierra selected a beautiful white dress that reflects her bright spirit and the promising future that lies ahead.
Your cap & gown photos do not have to be boring! Yes, we’ll get a few standard shots that grandma will love but after that it will be time to kick it up a notch!

Sierra grabbed these adorable daisy sunnies from the Style Closet to show off her goofy side and it ended up being on of their favorite images!

A Melody of Memories
Sierra’s love for music and nostalgia led her to choose a local record store as the backdrop for her senior portrait session. The vibrant atmosphere of the store, adorned with vintage vinyl and iconic album covers, created a visually captivating setting. The photographs captured Sierra’s genuine smile as she posed among the rows of records, representing her appreciation for timeless classics and her own journey through high school.

If you love this vintage colors of the 60’s and 70’s, this is the place! Check out the darling sofa and rug! It’s the perfect place to kick back and relax!

Wait, you mean you have your own vinyl??? That was icing on the cake! Yep, Sierra and many of my high school seniors have vinyl collections! This Dirty Dancing album is one of her favorites, so we pulled out the pink vinyl for this published image.

Sierra brought a few of her faves, but fair warning, you’ll want to browse Rock This Town Records because they have an incredible selection of both new and used albums, as well as CDs, t-shirts, and more!

The Perfect Shot
As one of Arizona’s top senior portrait photographers, I worked closely with Sierra to create stunning photographs that reflected her unique spirit. Themed locations for senior portraits work best when you plan your outfits. Band t-shirts look amazing! Check out how Sierra’s vintage tee fits perfect with the colorful curtains! They make the perfect backdrop resulting in another published image that really shows Sierra’s fun personality.

A Spirited Cheerleader
As a dedicated cheerleader for Show Low High School, Sierra wanted to incorporate her passion into her senior portraits. She made sure to have her uniform, complete with poms and letter jacket. These photos will remind Sierra of the countless hours of hard work, dedication, and camaraderie she experienced as part of the cheer squad.

Historic Downtown Gilbert
But her session didn’t end there! As the sun dipped below the horizon, we made one last stop in Downtown Gilbert where she did a quick change into this beautiful ensemble. The combination of the city lights and the beautiful sunset colors was simply magical.

Everything about Sierra’s senior portrait session was nothing short of exceptional! Every outfit, location, and pose fit together perfectly to capture the essence of her senior year. As this chapter closes, Sierra will be off on new adventures as she’ll be heading to Portugal for her mission! I cannot wait to hear all about it when you come home!
Hire A Photographer for Senior Portraits
Ready to have an incredible senior portrait experience? Not just the photos, but the entire experience will be the highlight of your senior year! Magical Memories by Michelle is a top senior portrait photographer here to capture your personality, so you can relive this epic chapter anytime you want. Step one? Grab this FREE download of the Senior Client Welcome Guide to learn more about the process, pricing, and heirloom artwork.
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