Cinematic Laguna Beach Senior Pictures | Lauren
Some sessions just click — the vibe, the location, the vision — and these Laguna Beach senior pictures with Lauren captured everything I love about natural, editorial senior portraits.
Lauren is a senior at OCSA (Orange County School of the Arts), where she’s part of the Visual Arts conservatory. That means she’s already thinking in terms of composition, mood, and storytelling in imagery (so, basically…my love language). This made this shoot feel more like a creative collaboration than anything else, which was so much fun!
These Laguna Beach senior pictures were in September, which is honestly one of my favorite times of year for outdoor photography in Orange County. Post–Labor Day brings what we locals call “local summer.” The crowds thin, the light softens, and it’s still warm — a perfectly-timed reminder of the endless little luxuries of living in Southern California.
From the beginning, Lauren had a clear vision of how she wanted her senior photos to be: a natural, carefree aesthetic with locations like the beach and grassy fields. She even mentioned wanting to “consult her Pinterest” when picking outfits. (A girl after my own heart!) That kind of preparation always makes a difference — perfectly coordinated colors for each spot, patterns that photographed beautifully, and outfits with just the right amount of movement. That attention to detail absolutely came through in her artwork.
If I had to sum up these Laguna Beach senior pictures in one word, it would be: cinematic.
Lauren is obviously adorable (those dimples?!), but what truly set this session apart was her instinct for effortless posing. Most people assume a photoshoot is mostly just smiling and a hand on the hip, but that natural, relaxed look takes real intention and movement. She understood that from the start, and it shows.
And for what it’s worth — my clients always end up being so good at this. Even if the concept is totally new, they pick it up within minutes. Teaching you how to achieve this effortless look is part of my job, and it’s a lot easier than you think!
The secret sauce is this:
1. A photographer who gets it
2. A client who trusts said photographer
3. A client who’s open to trying a photographer’s strategies (which may surprise you!)
With Lauren, all three were in play, and by the end of the shoot, her poses felt less like prompts and more like second nature. This happens in my sessions a lot! After a few 'structured' efforts to achieve a 'candid' pose, as the session goes on, the candid poses really do happen more often and more organically. That's because a client who spends more time with the photographer will naturally become more comfortable, any nerves they started with dissipate, and the creative 'flow state' really kicks in. This is when the magic happens!
One of my favorite moments from her session was a fun, playful photo of her splashing in the water. I told her, “Don’t worry! Kick that water right toward the camera!! You’ll naturally want to put your arms out like an airplane to keep your balance, and it looks super celebratory, too.” She nailed it!
Another standout was the shot of her running ahead of me with the seagulls in the background. I gave her this prompt: “You’re going to run ahead of me, I’ll move with you, hold your dress fabric in front to make sure you can move easily. Every few steps, look over your shoulder like you’re Natalie Portman in a Dior commercial. The first time, a big smile, and every time after that, keep it soft and whimsical, like you just noticed I’m here for the first time.”
Yes, we’re documenting this special milestone and time in Lauren’s life while making art, but we’re also having fun!
Sessions like this one are such a sweet reminder that trust really is the foundation of great senior portraits. Lauren’s creative preparation, but also trust in me, and mom stepping back to let Lauren shine and feel comfortable, made for an easy-going session and stunning results.
If you’re someone who thinks creatively, loves a strong aesthetic, or already has a “senior photos” Pinterest board going…then what are we waiting for?!! I love working with clients who bring that kind of vision to the table. Share your inspo with me so I can get inside your mind and vision before the session. I’ll help bring it to life in a way that’s natural and truly you!
