Aubrey’s Senior Experience was the perfect mix of country, flowers, and the California coast—three completely different settings and looks that came together to tell the story of her senior year.
A graduate of Salinas High School, Aubrey spent all four years cheering for the Cowboys. For her senior portraits, we wanted to create a session that felt fun, relaxed, and completely her, while taking advantage of some of the beautiful locations we have here in Monterey County.
Senior Portraits at Garland Ranch in Carmel Valley
We started Aubrey’s session at Garland Ranch Regional Park in Carmel Valley, where she brought a little country style to her senior pictures.
Aubrey wore a soft pink flowing dress paired with cowboy boots, and we added a cowboy hat for some of her portraits. Between the rustic wooden fences, old barn, golden grasses, and Carmel Valley hills, this location was made for this outfit.
The warm afternoon light gave us that gorgeous golden California look, while the dress and boots added just the right amount of personality. We photographed everything from traditional senior portraits to movement shots, including walking, twirling, and laughing—the moments that often end up being some of my favorites.
Flowers, Sunshine & a Completely Different Look
For our second stop, we headed to a local flower farm, and Aubrey made a complete outfit change.
This time she chose jeans and a simple white tank top, giving this part of her Senior Experience a much more casual feel. Surrounded by rows of colorful flowers and greenery, the simplicity of her outfit let both Aubrey and the location shine.
This is one of the things I love about a multi-location senior session. Your senior portraits don't have to have just one look or one personality. Changing the location and outfit can completely transform the photographs while still making the entire gallery feel connected.
Del Monte Beach Senior Portraits
We finished Aubrey’s Senior Experience at Del Monte Beach in Monterey, just in time for that beautiful end-of-day coastal light.
For the beach, Aubrey changed into all white—a white top and long flowing skirt that looked incredible against the sand, ocean, and sunset.
We started with portraits along the shoreline before heading right into the water. And yes, that meant getting wet!
Those final photographs of Aubrey laughing, running and splashing through the waves were the perfect way to end her session. They feel less like posed senior pictures and more like a celebration of finishing high school and stepping into whatever comes next.
Celebrating a Salinas High School Senior
After four years as a Salinas High School Cowboys cheerleader, graduation marked the end of a pretty big chapter for Aubrey.
Senior year goes ridiculously fast. Between classes, sports, activities, graduation plans and everything else happening during that final year of high school, it can feel like it's over almost as soon as it begins.
That's one of the reasons I love creating a Senior Experience rather than simply taking a few senior pictures.
Aubrey's session took us from cowboy boots and golden fields in Carmel Valley, to colorful flowers, and finally barefoot on the beach in Monterey. Three locations. Three completely different looks. And one gallery that captures this particular moment in her life.
Planning Your Own Senior Experience?
If you're a Class of 2027 senior in Salinas, Monterey, Carmel, Pacific Grove, Santa Cruz, San Benito County or the surrounding Central Coast, now is the time to start planning your senior portraits.
Your Senior Experience can be designed around you—your style, interests, favorite locations and the things that have been part of your high school years.
Want golden fields and cowboy boots? Let's do it.
Downtown and something a little more editorial? Absolutely.
Finish the night barefoot at the beach? Even better.
Class of 2027 Senior Experiences are now booking. Contact Sheryl Bjorn Photography to start planning yours.