Brooke & Ava | Twin Senior Session at Folsom Lake

SeniorSeniors

May 15

El Dorado Hills & Sacramento Senior Photographer

Twins share something that is difficult to put into words. A shorthand. A history. An unspoken understanding of each other that shows up quietly in photographs if you know how to look for it. And photographing Brooke and Ava, I saw it in every single frame. This was one of those sessions that you truly never forget.

Brooke and Ava arrived at Folsom Lake on a warm spring evening, the kind where the sky turns soft and golden right before sunset and everything feels a little more beautiful than usual. They were laughing before we even started, the easy, familiar kind of laughing that only happens between people who have known each other their whole lives. Which, of course, these two have.

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The Session
We spent the evening moving through a handful of beautiful spots along the lake as the light shifted and softened around us. Each girl had brought a couple of outfit changes, and the variety gave the gallery a wonderful range, from sweet and feminine to relaxed and natural, each look feeling completely and authentically like them.
What struck me most about Brooke and Ava was how genuinely themselves they were in front of the camera. There was no stiffness, no awkwardness, just two sisters being exactly who they are with each other. That kind of ease is something you cannot manufacture, and it made for some of the most tender and beautiful images I have had the privilege of creating.
As the sun began to dip lower over Folsom Lake, we brought in their parents for a handful of images together. This is something I always encourage at senior sessions, and I am so glad this family said yes. Because there is something about that particular season, a child on the edge of leaving and a parent holding on just a little longer, that is so worth documenting. Those images are going to mean so much to this family someday. I truly believe that.

A Bittersweet Kind of Beautiful
Senior sessions always carry a particular kind of feeling. There is so much joy and excitement and pride in them. And underneath all of that, something quieter. The awareness that a chapter is closing and something brand new is beginning.
Brooke and Ava are heading off to college this fall, [colleges to be confirmed], and while that is an incredible and exciting thing, it is also the end of something. The end of waking up in the same house, sharing the same everyday life, being in the same place at the same time in the effortless way that childhood allows.
These images are a record of who they are right now, together, on the edge of everything. And I think that is one of the most beautiful things a photograph can be.

Tips for Planning Your Senior Session

If you are a rising senior or a parent beginning to think about booking, I wanted to share a few things I have learned from photographing seniors across El Dorado Hills, Folsom, and the Sacramento foothills that will help your session feel as beautiful and effortless as possible.

Book Early

This is the one I cannot say enough. Senior session dates, especially for fall, fill up quickly. I always recommend reaching out in the spring or early summer so we have plenty of time to plan, style, and find a date that works perfectly for your family. The earlier you book, the more relaxed the whole process feels.

Time Your Session Around the Light

Golden hour is my favorite time of day for senior sessions, and for good reason. That soft, warm light that settles in the hour before sunset does something truly magical in photographs. It is flattering, dreamy, and gives images a quality that is hard to replicate at any other time of day. When we are scheduling your session, we will always choose a time that gives us the most beautiful light possible for your location.

Plan for a Relaxed Timeline

Senior sessions are not meant to be rushed. We move at an easy pace, changing locations and outfits naturally as the light shifts. Give yourself plenty of time to get ready beforehand without feeling rushed, and plan for a session that allows us to be unhurried and present. The most beautiful moments always happen when nobody is watching the clock.

Consider Including Your Parents

This is something I feel strongly about and always gently encourage. Parents, please consider being part of your senior's session, even if just for a handful of images. I know it might feel like their day, and it absolutely is. But this season is yours too. The pride, the bittersweetness, the love you feel watching them stand on the edge of everything they are about to become. That deserves to be documented.
When thinking about what to wear, keep it simple and complementary to your senior. Soft neutrals, classic tones, and comfortable pieces that feel like you tend to photograph beautifully. The goal is not to match perfectly but to feel relaxed and present so that the love between you can simply show up in the frame.

Bring a Few Personal Touches

Some of my favorite senior images have come from incorporating something meaningful into the session. A varsity jacket, a musical instrument, a beloved book, a pair of worn out track shoes that tell a story. These details add personality and authenticity to your gallery and make the images feel genuinely yours rather than generic.
You can also bring something that brags about the next adventure you are about to start, whether it is something repping your college or maybe a suitcase to represent your upcoming travels.

Plan Your Outfits With Intention

Outfit changes are one of my favorite parts of a senior session because they give the gallery such a beautiful range of looks and moods. I typically recommend two to three outfits, and I always encourage seniors to choose pieces they genuinely love and feel confident in rather than something that feels too formal or too far from their everyday style.
Think about variety. A flowy feminine dress alongside a more casual relaxed look, for example, gives the gallery depth and tells a fuller story of who you are right now. Avoid busy patterns and large logos, and lean toward colors and tones that complement your skin and feel timeless rather than overly trendy.
If you are feeling unsure about what to wear, that is completely okay. Styling guidance is part of the experience and I am always happy to help you put together looks that feel cohesive and beautiful.

Choose Your Location Thoughtfully

Your location sets the entire tone of your gallery, so it is worth giving it some real thought. Folsom Lake is one of my absolute favorites for the variety it offers and the stunning golden hour light that settles over the water in the evenings. But there are so many beautiful options across El Dorado Hills, Folsom, Granite Bay, Roseville, and the surrounding Sacramento foothills area. Think about what feels most like your senior. A wide open landscape, a wooded trail, an urban setting, or somewhere that holds personal meaning for your family. When the location feels right, the images always follow.

Senior Sessions in the Sacramento Foothills

I photograph senior sessions throughout El Dorado Hills, Folsom, Sacramento, Granite Bay, Roseville, and the surrounding foothills area. If you are a rising senior or a parent beginning to think about booking, I would love to connect and start planning something beautiful together.

Senior session dates for fall fill up quickly, so I always recommend reaching out early to reserve your spot.

Book Your Senior Session Before It's Too Late