Most of you probably know about our annual high school senior photography styled session giveaway.  We pile Blue Sky’s team, including Brittany Norton for hair and makeup, Rebecca Pantel for video and Lily Fassnacht for styling and second shooting into a van with the senior portrait winners.  Then head out to a destination that we think will make a unique backdrop for a senior photography session.  Some recent locations include downtown LA art district, Balboa Park in San Diego and this year Salvation Mountain in Joshua Tree.

High school senior portrait at Salvation Mountain

When I put together the inspiration boards for the 2019 Styled senior session giveaway, I envision a magazine editorial.  I want all of the clothing, hair and makeup and styling for the session to compliment the location.  As you can see from this image, Salvation Mountain has a LOT of color.  Since it is out in the middle of nowhere, in the dusty desert, it almost has an “end of days” vibe.  For this session, I mixed bright, bold colored clothing with combat boots and edger accessories. The very first article of clothing I purchase was this yellow dress, from Urban Outfitter.  I knew it would look amazing on Chloe with her dark hair and eyes and it would stand out against a colorful background.

Styled high school senior portrait session at Salvation Mountain

One of my favorite things about being a senior portrait photographer is that I get to create sessions that are inspired by fashion.  Making a senior photography session feel like an editorial shoot for my client’s favorite magazine,  make everyone involved feel great.  Not to mention that we create gorgeous images of the senior that their family will enjoy for generations to come.

If you are a 2020 graduating senior and would like to be considered for next year’s session, please fill out the form and we will get in contact with you.

Now just a few of my favorite yellow dress images from the day. More from the Salvation Mountain Senior portrait session to come in the upcoming weeks.

Salvation Mountain styled senior session

To inquire about your own personalized session please email me directly at kristin@blueskysstudio.com.

Have you ever considered a destination High School Senior portrait session in Orange County?  There are so many amazing places to shoot including Laguna Beach, Disneyland, the Mission, open fields, flower fields, the list goes on and on. 

Right now high school seniors are getting those envelops in the mail telling them they are accepted to the school of their dreams.  And, many other seniors are deciding to go on an adventure or take a gap year.  This is the perfect time to book a portrait session for your senior.

Why should you do a personalized session for your high school senior portrait session?  Because this is the time that they are transitioning for kids to adults.  They are developing their own style and deciding what they want to do with their future.  At Blue Sky’s Studio we want to capture who they are today to cherish for all time.  Having a portrait session and being treated like a model helps your senior gain confidence.  For you, the session will create a beautiful collection of portraits to enjoy for all time.

we want to capture who they are today to cherish for all time.  Having a portrait session and being treated like a model helps your senior gain confidence.  For you, the session will create a beautiful collection of portraits to enjoy for all time.

One of the most popular locations for me to shoot is Treasure Island beach near the Montage Resort.  The best part of this location is that  you get AMAZING beaches on all sides. In addition, you get the beautiful park area and interesting artwork that can be incorporated in the portrait session.

I love these senior portraits of Annie. Annie traveled from the Phoenix area to have her senior portraits taken in one of her favorite places, Laguna Beach.  She has amazing style and Annie already is a successful Vlogger and Lifestyle Content Creator (seriously these kids today are ON IT!).  Here are just a few favorite images from our session.

High School Portraits at the beach in Laguna Beach
Treasure Island Beach High School Portraits
High School Senior portraits at Laguna Beach

If you want to learn more about booking your high school senior portrait session in Laguna Beach, click on the button below.

Learn more about a Blue Sky's High School Portrait session

Where should I shoot my OC Senior Portraits?

Orange County is an excellent spot for amazing high school senior portraits. We have beaches, open fields, city scapes, historic architecture and gorgeous parks.

Blue Sky’s Studio strategy for any portrait photography session is to start with your personal fashion style. If you tend to dress more edgy and high fashion, I would definitely recommend choosing a city background or in the studio. If FreePeople clothing is more your vibe then a flower field, a beach at low light or an open meadow would enhance the look of your session.

Fashionista Senior Session

If you love trendy clothing, fun accessories and the latest style in shoes and boots you are probably a fashionista. For your session, we want to highlight your amazing style. That means staying away from really busy backgrounds so all of the emphasis in the image is on you and your cute outfits. Here are some of my favorite spots for this type of session.

  1. At Blue Sky’s Studio in the Studio.
  2. The Noguchi Museum
  3. Downtown Laguna Beach
  4. Old Town Orange
  5. San Juan Capistrano Historic District
OC High School Senior pics_6

Boho Senior Session

If you love vintage clothing, neutral colors, free flowing hair and lots of texture, then a Boho inspired session is probably your jam! Think of Free People Clothing, or shop at your favorite vintage store or even raid your Mom’s old wardrobe. I love these sessions when the colors are really monochromatic as is the background look. The perfect locations for this type of session include.

  1. Alta Laguna Park In Laguna Beach
  2. San Juan Open Spaces A gorgeous field in San Juan Capistrano
  3. James Dilley Wilderness Park In Laguna Canyon
  4. San Clemente State Beach With gorgeous white cliffs and wide open beaches (to see more beaches in San Clemente Click Here.
  5. The Great Park in Irvine Complete with small zoo, open fields, split rail fences and flower fields.

Endless Summer Session

Shooting your high school senior portraits on the beach is great any time of the year. It is true that Southern California is a photographers paradise. There are so many sunny days every year that it doesn’t matter if you book in August or February, you are sure to get at least a few, beautiful sunny So Cal days. Here are my top five spots for an endless summer session.

  1. Picnic beach in Laguna Beach
  2. Table Rock Beach in Laguna Beach
  3. San Clemente Pier
  4. Aliso Creek Beach in Laguna Beach
  5. Dana Point Harbor

Enter to win a free fully styled high school portrait session with Blue Sky’s Studio!

CLICK HERE

If you are really into bold colors and statement clothing, you can read more in the Color blog post by clicking on this link: Using Color in your shoot to create style.

I hope during this high school portrait season you are staying warm and dry. I have a confession to make, I love the rain… well at least sometimes (when it doesn’t interfere with shooting) . During the cold winter days, I love to put on a big, warm sweater and some snuggly socks and cuddle up with my laptop.

2019 Senior Styled Session Giveaway

This year I am planning something epic! The high school senior portrait styled session will be at Salvation Mountain in Joshua Tree. We are randomly selecting 2 high school senior girls and 1 guy to spend the day with my team including, a professional stylist (yes we will provide most of the clothes), a makeup artist, a videographer and me taking amazing portraits. Blue Sky’s Studio will provide transportation, lunch and snacks.

Click to Enter to Win

High school senior portrait at Salvation Mountain

What is included with the High School Senior Session giveaway?

  • Professional makeup for the gals
  • Hair styling
  • Clothing Consultation
  • Shooting wardrobe and props
  • The full day photo session
  • (2) Fine art matted prints
  • A personalize reveal session 7 days after the shoot
  • The chance to order more product from the session at the review

Value of the session is $999.00

We will be shoot Sunday, March 17 and we will leave really early in the morning to make the most of the day.

The winners will be announced on March 7. Make sure you tell your friends! (maybe you and your bestie will win!). To see more of our work, visit our website by clicking here.

I love the freedom of these styled sessions and I really feel this location will result in some of my best high school senior portraits to date. I have visions of boho dresses in turquoise with lots of fun jewelry and accessories. For the guys, I love the idea of keeping it kind of Indie with worn jeans, t-shirts and maybe even a leather jacket. I can’t wait to create the style boards with my team.

When I help plan an Orange County Senior portrait session, I always consider color! I love a high school senior portrait that includes a fun prop or a bright color. I focus on 1 or 2 colors and use clothing, props and backgrounds that make these colors come to life. Adding color works both for shoots in studio or in an outdoor location!

Color can accentuate an already great image and can help tell the story of the session. For example colored smoke is a great prop that adds whimsy and personality to the images. Creative props, such as flowers or balloons, can add both color and texture to an image. Check out some of my recent shoots using props and color.

A graduate of any age can participate in these photoshoots to have as a memory to commemorate your special day! Whether you are a middle school graduate, a high school graduate or even a college graduate, there is no better way to freeze this special moment in time! Visit Blue Sky’s Studio‘s website to book a session now.

If you are interested in booking your own personalize session click on the button!