grad photos
The first grad photos of the season are always a bit nerve-racking, but this group made it a breeze. Their friendship and energy were infectious, and their looks were on point. Each grad glowed in their own way, and the couple and group photos are too sweet!
I met Alegna at the San Jose courthouse Alegna during her 2L summer. I hosted a small gathering for women of color and after learning about her career aspirations, I connected her with partner who worked in the field. When she reached out to me again months later asking me to take her graduation photos, I couldn’t say no. And the cherry on top is that her fiancé, Ray, also graduated from USF the same year with a masters degree in education. Nothing makes me more proud than seeing two Latinxs with DEGREES!! Felicidades!
I do not remember looking this good weeks before taking the California bar exam, but then again, we can’t all be Indi. Indi asked me to take her grad photos with one request: Rebel needed to be in them. Worth it? I’d say so.
When Gaby reach out for photos she was laser-focused on one thing: she would do whatever it takes to get the best light. It took us a bit of coordination to finally land on a time, and I’ll let you be the judge of whether we got it right:
The dress. The suit. A vibe!
Between editing all of these galleries and work, I don’t have brain power left to write cute little captions, but look at these photos of Ariel!
This one was a little extra special because last year Debbie and I discovered that we both participated in Girls Inc. programming growing up. It is such a full circle moment to see other Girls Inc. girls achieving their dreams. You go girl!
Palace of Fine Arts for grad photos? Say less. Happy to celebrate Gloria’s accomplishments and upcoming 30th birthday with her! Also, check how perfectly that tassel is hanging–so lucky!
Started grad photo season with a bang! Jenna and I celebrated her upcoming graduation from Berkeley Law and her recent moot court competition wins. Jenna was truly a superstar and the sun blessed her accordingly!
When Fernando’s niece asked me to take her senior portraits, my first reaction was “I am cool enough for Gen Z!!” We planned our date around the holidays and got to work. The Claremont colleges served as our backdrop, and they put in work providing beautiful old architecture and maintained greenery for the photos. Mayra came in the cutest preppy outfit that paired nicely with her surroundings. And I have to say, she started out a little camera shy, but after an hour she was hitting poses like it was no one’s business! I am honored to have had a little part in her celebration of this milestone (and I am really looking forward to coming back to this campus to take more photos)!
After an abrupt end to our law school experience, the bar exam, and almost a year of practice, it was great to see Henna again! As a double bear, this return to campus was quite sentimental for her, but I am so glad that I was able to help her capture the magic of Berkeley in a way that she could take back with her to New York. Something about this overcast day lent the creamiest colors and softest lighting that make Henna’s striking feature POP. I can’t wait to see how the proud parents react to these mementos!
Although every session is fun, this one was made a little extra special by the group of students who cheered for Rachel as she posed in front of the big Berkeley Law sign. Rachel was all smiles, laughs, and shakas! After we mostly wrapped up we spent a few minutes chatting about the bar exam and hung out long enough to catch the lights come on and get some moody dusk vibes. Congrats Rachel!
Okkk yellow! One of my most fun discoveries this season is that I had virtually no outfit color repeats. And Emma in the yellow just makes sense. And can we talk about how she brought a Berkeley themed trolls doll to photographer with her? A riot! Thank you for the belly laughs and dance moves!
I met Katy at Admitted Students Weekend before she even started this law school journey. I also served as Co-President of the La Raza Law Students Association during her first year and she took over the position from me the next year. So special to watch her celebrate this huge accomplishment!
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I get it. Maya’s a model. Look at the angles, look at the face, look at the limb control. Truly an honor to capture these!
In classic Anya fashion, my absolute favorite shot from this session was the one where I had to stop Tempestt on the way to our second location because the way the light was filter through the redwoods was gorgeous. She’s gorgeous, the photos are gorgeous, but those ones with the trees… *chef’s kiss*
So Micaela actually “graduated” last year, but I had to make her grad photo dreams come true. Under the guise of a catch up dinner, and with the co-conspiring of Javi and Fernando, I was able to surprise Micaela with the grad photos she never got to take. This was also my first session with my new lens filter, and I don’t think I can ever go back. The colors! The creaminess! The glow! I can’t wait to see how this weekend’s sessions turn out.
Idrian was one of the first people to book a grad session this year and he had one request–Lake Merritt. Obviously, we made it happen. The best part this session was Idrian’s total trust in me. You know? The I-know-this-is-going-to-feel-really-awkward-but-I-swear-it-will-look-great. The creamy colors in the photos in front of the quote and all of the backlighting are on point. And how about that smile?!
This session with Hannah was a great way to get in the graduation season groove. I had so much fun, I almost forgot that I was “working.” Hannah’s bubbly, fun personality shines through these photos. And anytime someone is down to pose on a lounge chair for graduation photos, you know it’s going to be a good time.
