When the time comes to take your high school senior pictures, many graduates are hit by the common dilemma – how to choose an ideal location for the photoshoot? Choosing the right photo session spot is crucial, as it is going to help set the mood for the whole shoot.
If you are a high school senior looking for urban-style portraits or college grad pictures – downtown Sacramento is a great place to have your session. With so many impressive buildings, textured walls, Capitol Park, and beautiful alleys – there are many possibilities for graduates with every taste.
Camera: Canon EOS 5DS R | Lens: Canon EF 85mm f1.2L II USM
Sky Natural Light| f/1.2, 1/800s, ISO 200 | Photo by © Sergey Bidun
The downtown Sacramento area is a popular photography spot, but since it’s so broad, there’s room for everyone. This location is ideal for modern senior portraits and people who are after urban-style pictures.
Downtown Sacramento is a top pick location for high school seniors and college grad photo sessions. There are so many options for creative lifestyle portraits for both female and male seniors. It’s one of the best urban photography locations in the Sacramento area.
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Check out behind the scenes video from a senior photoshoot that took place in Old Sacramento, Northern California.
BENEFITS OF TAKING HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR PORTRAITS
Did you know that for many people, the senior portrait is the first professional photo many young adults will ever have taken?
Documenting this huge milestone in a person’s life is very crucial. It’s a way for the photographer to show an individual’s inner beauty with their authentic images.
Many families love getting professional pictures of their graduating children and treasure these images as priceless memories. Portraits from senior photoshoots make awesome gifts for grandparents, aunties, and friends, as well as art decor for the walls of your home.
Graduates and seniors greatly value these photo sessions, as they are given a great opportunity to be a star of an enjoyable photoshoot. Getting hair & makeup done and wearing some of their best outfits results in amazing and memorable portraits
At Bidun Studio Photography, we aim to provide an exceptional senior photography experience to all of our high school seniors and college grads. Creating high-quality pictures in an enjoyable atmosphere is our top priority.
Camera: Canon EOS 5DS R | Lens: Canon EF 85mm f1.2L II USM
Sun Back Light| f/1.2, 1/1250s, ISO 50 | Photo by © Sergey Bidun
LOCATIONS FOR SENIOR PICTURES
Since the photoshoot is all about the person that’s being photographed, it’s important to pick a location that will be suitable for this session. It’s pretty easy to choose the right area once you find out a little bit more about the seniors and their preferences. Location selection is one of the first steps you will take in the photoshoot preparation process.
Let’s discuss some of the most commonly chosen photoshoot locations for senior pictures.
Camera: Canon EOS 5DS R | Lens: Canon EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
Sun Back Light | f/2.8, 1/200s, ISO 160 | Photo by © Sergey Bidun
OUTDOOR/NATURE
Taking pictures out in nature is high school seniors’ all-time top choice. Photoshoots at sunset are in the highest demand, as they allow the photographer to take beautiful backlit portraits.
There are no limitations to the different backdrops for the photos, and you can create beautiful environmental portraits. In the Sacramento area, one can shoot outdoors pretty much year-round – you can easily find a gorgeous photography spot out in nature.
Camera: Canon EOS 5DS R | Lens: Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM
Sun Back Light| f/1.2, 1/400s, ISO 50 | Photo by © Sergey Bidun
URBAN/CITY
Urban locations are great for both girls and guys senior pictures. You will get more even-toned backdrops with limited distractions.
If you are going for a more fashionable and stylish look and more formal outfits – then city pictures may be ideal for you.
SCHOOL CAMPUS
Photoshoots on the campus are not typical for high school graduates, but university grads often like to take photos on the campus where they have spent four years of their life.
Often times university campuses have beautiful spots with greenery, buildings, and even small alleys or a bridge.
Camera: Canon EOS 5DS R | Lens: Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM
Sky Natural Light| f/2, 1/160s, ISO 200 | Photo by © Sergey Bidun
BEACH PHOTOS
Senior photos at a beach are also a great idea for creative pictures.
You don’t necessarily have to travel to a beach by the ocean – lakes and rivers can offer beautiful beach locations.
For beach senior photoshoots, make sure you are wearing outfits that complement the location. You can get ideas for senior outfits for different locations here.
STUDIO PORTRAITS
Getting your senior pictures taken in the studio may seem like an old fashioned idea, but it really isn’t.
Studios such as Bidun Studio Photography offer magazine-style portraits that are very modern and unique. With the help of a professional hairstylist and makeup artist, every senior will look and feel like a model.
Camera: Canon EOS 5DS R | Lens: Canon EF 85mm f1.2L II USM
Street Light| f/1.4, 1/125s, ISO 200 | Photo by © Sergey Bidun
ABOUT DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO
Downtown Sacramento has come a long way in the last decade and has so many options for gorgeous photo backdrops. With every turn that you take, you will find a new treasure, a new beautiful, and exciting setting.
From beautiful greenery and trees at the State Capitol park to the Rose Garden to the unique buildings on the streets of Downtown Sacramento, there’s a wide variety of impressive backdrops. Photographers and creatives love this location for the many possibilities that they offer.
Camera: Canon EOS 5DS R | Lens: Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM
Sky Natural Light| f/2, 1/320s, ISO 200 | Photo by © Sergey Bidun
Being the capital city of California, Sacramento has a lot of tourists visiting all the time. One of the most popular places everyone wants to visit is downtown Sacramento and especially the area around the Capitol building.
This location is the most populated during the weekends, so I would suggest coming here during the weekdays if possible. On weekdays there are fewer pedestrians, and it’s also easier to find a parking spot.
Camera: Canon EOS 5DS R | Lens: Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM
Direct Sun Light| f/2, 1/6400s, ISO 50 | Photo by © Sergey Bidun
TRANSPORTATION TIP
It might be a good idea to get an Uber or Lyft ride to get to Downtown, instead of taking your own car. This may save you a lot of time that you otherwise would have spent on driving around looking for a parking space and walking to and from it.
But if you are coming out here for the rest of the evening and don’t mind the extra walking, then it’s really up to you.
Camera: Canon EOS 5DS R | Lens: Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM
Sky Natural Light| f/2, 1/250s, ISO 200 | Photo by © Sergey Bidun
ABOUT THE SESSION
It’s important to schedule the photo session at the time of ideal lighting conditions. Golden hour is typically the best time for outdoor photos, although shooting in the city allows for more flexibility.
Ideally, you want to schedule the photoshoot a few hours before sunset to make sure you can get the right amount of amazing portraits.
Camera: Canon EOS 5DS R | Lens: Canon EF 85mm f1.2L II USM
Sky Natural Light| f/1.4, 1/125s, ISO 200 | Photo by © Sergey Bidun
I suggest you to check out our post on Natural Light Photography for more tips on how to take great pictures outdoors.
During this photo session, we took some pictures on the streets around the California State Capitol building. The beauty of photographing in such a location is that there are endless possibilities for unique backdrops.
You will find interesting buildings, textured walls, and different types of greenery in Downtown Sacramento.
Camera: Canon EOS 5DS R | Lens: Canon EF 85mm f1.2L II USM
Sky Natural Light| f/1.4, 1/100s, ISO 1000 | Photo by © Sergey Bidun
TIPS FOR SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHY
Just a few of my tips for successful senior portraits. These can be helpful both for high school seniors and senior photographers.
- What to Wear – Outfits that you wear have to be well-fitting, clean, and coordinating to the location where pictures are taken. For more ideas on how to pick the right outfits, check out our post Senior pictures outfits ideas.
Camera: Canon EOS 5DS R | Lens: Canon EF 85mm f1.2L II USM
Sky Natural Light| f/1.2, 1/1250s, ISO 200 | Photo by © Sergey Bidun
- Include Accessories – Accessories are a decorative part of an outfit and are very welcome in senior photoshoots. They can add a unique touch to your pictures. Just like in our photoshoot with Saferrah, her hat and sunglasses added a bit of her personality to the photos.
- Posing Seniors – Some people are comfortable in front of the camera, and some not really. Every professional photographer needs to be able to make their subject comfortable and at ease. Being able to find flattering poses during a photoshoot is a must for the photographer. We’ve combined all of our posing tips in this Posing Tips Guide.
Camera: Canon EOS 5DS R | Lens: Canon EF 85mm f1.2L II USM
Street Night Light| f/1.2, 1/100s, ISO 1000 | Photo by © Sergey Bidun
CONCLUSION
Senior pictures are one of the most important portrait sessions of anyone’s life, trust those memories to only the best! Bidun Studio Photography will help you plan out your Sacramento senior photoshoot in full detail using your vision for your senior portraits.
We will apply our creativity and skills to create a truly memorable experience and authentic & stunning images.
At Bidun Studio Photography, we offer full Senior Portrait Experience for all seniors in Greater Sacramento and surrounding areas. Celebrate this milestone with Sacramento senior photography studio that specializes in creating the kind of images you want and an experience that you’ll remember for a lifetime.
Your first step is to contact us and reserve your date before it’s gone! To learn more about our services and to book your session, contact us here.
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Photographer: Sergey Bidun
Written by Maria Bidun
