I’ve known Gianni since he was young, back when he and my son were playing pee-wee sports together. Over the years, I had the chance to watch him grow from that little kid on the field into a high school athlete, eventually playing football for Salinas High School.
So when it was time to photograph Gianni’s senior portraits, this session felt a little different for me.
There’s something pretty incredible about photographing a kid you’ve known for years as he gets ready to close one chapter and head into the next.
And for Gianni’s senior session, we decided to capture two completely different sides of the Central Coast—from the golden fields and wooded trails of Garland Ranch Regional Park in Carmel Valley to the rugged coastline and sunset at Asilomar State Beach in Pacific Grove.
Starting in Carmel Valley at Garland Ranch
We began Gianni’s session at Garland Ranch Regional Park, one of my favorite locations for senior portraits in Carmel Valley.
Garland Ranch is especially great for guys who want their senior pictures to feel natural and relaxed. Instead of a formal backdrop, you get open fields, tall grasses, oak trees, trails, rustic fences and plenty of space to move around.
Gianni kept his first looks casual with jeans and button-down shirts, which worked perfectly with the setting.
We started among the trees and grasses, where the late-afternoon light was filtering through the leaves and creating that warm Carmel Valley glow.
One of the things I love about photographing senior guys is keeping the posing simple. Hands in pockets, leaning against a fence, walking toward the camera—nothing overly complicated or forced.
The goal is always to make the finished portraits look like them, just on a really good day.
A Senior Portrait Location With Plenty of Variety
One of my favorite things about Garland Ranch is how many different looks we can create without having to travel very far.
Within the same session, we went from wooded portraits surrounded by greenery to open golden fields and rustic fencing. We also made our way to the bridge, which gave Gianni’s portraits an entirely different look with its strong lines and more structured background.
That variety is especially helpful for seniors who aren't sure they want an entire gallery at the beach or in one specific type of setting.
And then, once we had everything we wanted in Carmel Valley, it was time for a complete change of scenery.
We headed toward the coast.
From Carmel Valley to Asilomar State Beach
For the second half of Gianni’s senior portrait session, we made our way to Asilomar State Beach in Pacific Grove.
This is exactly why I love combining two locations for senior sessions.
Within one evening, Gianni went from golden fields, trees and rustic scenery to rocky coastline, crashing waves and the Pacific Ocean.
He also changed into a darker, dressier outfit, which gave the beach portion of his session a completely different feel.
The black shirt against the neutral rocks and ocean looked fantastic, especially as the sun started getting lower.
We photographed along the boardwalk and coastline before heading down toward the rocks, letting the changing light determine where we went next.
And the Central Coast definitely showed off for us.
Ending With an Asilomar Sunset
As the sun dropped toward the horizon, the light at Asilomar became absolutely beautiful.
Golden light across the rocks.
Waves crashing behind Gianni.
That soft glow over the Pacific.
And finally, one of my favorite images from the entire session—a silhouette of Gianni standing on the rocks against a glowing sunset.
It was the perfect way to end the evening.
There’s something fitting about finishing a senior session at sunset. Senior year itself is a transition—the end of something familiar and the beginning of whatever comes next.
For Gianni, it also felt like a pretty great ending to a story I had watched unfold for years.
From those pee-wee sports days with my son to high school football at Salinas High, and now standing on the rocks at Asilomar as a high school graduate.
Time moves ridiculously fast.
Senior Pictures Don't Have to Feel Awkward
I hear it all the time from parents of senior guys:
“He really doesn't want senior pictures.”
Or...
“He hates having his picture taken.”
And that's okay.
Your senior doesn't need to love being in front of a camera to end up with photographs you both love.
My senior sessions are relaxed, and I give plenty of direction throughout the entire shoot. Your senior doesn't need to know how to pose, what to do with his hands or how to somehow create a “natural” smile on command.
That's my job.
The goal isn't to turn your senior into someone else for the camera. It's to create a comfortable experience and photographs that still look and feel like him.
Gianni’s session is a great example of how much variety we can create while keeping everything casual and natural.
Congratulations, Gianni!
Gianni, congratulations on graduating from Salinas High School!
It was such a privilege to photograph this milestone after knowing you for so many years, and I can't wait to see where life takes you next.
And I'm pretty sure the little pee-wee football player I remember would think that sunset portrait is pretty cool.
Planning Senior Portraits for the Class of 2027?
If you have a Class of 2027 senior, now is the perfect time to start planning their senior portrait session.
Senior pictures don't have to mean choosing between the mountains, the fields or the beach.
Why not do both?
My senior portrait sessions can be customized around your senior's personality, style and interests, with beautiful locations throughout Salinas, Carmel Valley, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pacific Grove, Monterey, Big Sur and the surrounding Central Coast.
Whether your senior wants golden fields and rustic scenery, a laid-back coastal session, something a little dressier at sunset—or a combination of all three—we'll create a session that feels like them.
Class of 2027 senior portrait sessions are now booking. Get in touch and let's start planning yours.
