Senior sessions are some of my favorite shoots to do, and this one at Treasure Island Beach was a great reminder why. We had a great sunset, a great attitude, and a skim board along for the ride.
Starting Things Off Easy
I always like to start a session with some small talk before I even pick up the camera. For a teenager who might feel a little put on the spot in front of a lens, that first ten minutes of just talking, about school, what he's into, weekend plans, makes a real difference. By the time we actually started shooting, he was relaxed and just being himself, which is exactly what you want for senior portraits. These aren't meant to look stiff or posed, they're meant to look like him.
Skim Boarding at Sunset
He brought his skim board along, and it turned out to be one of the best parts of the session. We got some great action shots of him riding it along the shallow water as the sun dropped toward the horizon, plus some more relaxed shots of him just holding it, standing in the wet sand with that golden light behind him. Bringing a prop or hobby into a senior session like this is one of my favorite ways to make the images feel personal instead of generic. It's not just a portrait, it's a portrait of him.
A Wardrobe Change Halfway Through
We built in a second outfit change about halfway through the hour, which gave us two different looks from one session. If you're planning a senior session, I always recommend bringing at least one backup outfit. It doesn't take long to switch, and it gives you a lot more variety in the final gallery.
Getting Mom in the Shot
We also carved out a few minutes to get his mom in on some photos too. I love working these in whenever I can. Senior year goes by fast, and having a few images of mom and son together from this stage of life ends up meaning a lot down the road, even if it wasn't the main focus of the day.
What Clients Are Saying
Here's what his mom shared after the session:
"Donald was so amazing. He went above and beyond to make sure my son's pictures truly showcased who he is. My son immediately felt comfortable, which is so important when taking photos with someone new. We will definitely book with Donald again and tell everyone about him. Thank you!"
Ready to Book Your Own Senior Session?
If you've got a senior who's ready for portraits that actually feel like them, I'd love to help make it happen. I photograph senior sessions on Treasure Island and throughout the Tampa Bay area, and I always build the timing around sunset for that same warm, golden light. Bring a hobby, a prop, a favorite outfit, whatever makes it feel like you. Spots fill up fast during senior season, so let's find a date that works. [Get in touch to book your session →]
