Popular Guy Senior Photos | Same Locations, Different Styles
Meet Andrew and Niko, two seniors who booked separate sessions at two beautiful Orange County senior photo locations: Noguchi Garden and Newport Pier. Both guys brought their own unique style and energy to their respective photoshoots, and the end result was a perfect example of how guy senior photos can be totally personalized, even when the backdrop stays the same.
Andrew is a senior at Mater Dei High School and an athlete who loves golf and basketball. (Fun fact: I actually worked with his older sister for her senior photos a few years back, so this was extra special!) Niko is a senior at Brea Olinda High School and came my way after I photographed his older brother. I’ll never get over how fun it is when families come back as the next kiddo hits their senior year.
Noguchi Garden is a Japanese garden inspired by California’s natural terrains, but with a more minimalistic, masculine, industrial, editorial look — think concrete, stained glass, white walls, and tall buildings with unique hints of nature throughout. It’s the kind of spot that works so well for guys and girls who want something natural, but edgy.
Then there’s Newport Pier, which is about as “classic California” as it gets. It's an especially popular choice for seniors who plan to move away from southern California after graduating from high school as a sort of homage to the beautiful beaches they grew up around. Plus, the architecture makes for stunning photos with its interesting lines, which, as the photographer, I LOVE!
I photograph at some of these spots a lot, so over the years it’s become even more important to me to create fresh galleries that feel unique to each client. And it all starts with wardrobe.
Niko leaned into fashion-forward looks like a knit striped shirt (a popular Abercrombie & Fitch look), an oversized white tee with his letterman jacket, and a button-down for the beach. All neutral colors, timeless choices, and most importantly, each piece had a different texture, structure, or sleeve length to keep things visually interesting.
Andrew brought a little more variety in formality: a navy suit and tie, a Notre Dame jersey and sweatshirt to show off his college plans, and a classic California combo of shorts and a button-down to finish off the shoot. The outfit choices for his guy senior photos gave more of a structured, high-school-to-college-to-career inspired pipeline.
Honestly, both guys (and their parents!) absolutely nailed it. Guy senior photo outfits don’t need to be flashy, they just need to feel like them, be comfortable to wear, and give off a little polish (think clean sneakers, a well-fitting button-down, or a structured jacket).
Both Niko and Andrew were easygoing and respectful, but no two sessions ever look the same, and that’s on purpose! I specialize in working with guys who may not always love photos, reading their energy, and guiding them in a way that feels natural instead of awkward. My focus is on helping seniors feel comfortable and confident in a way that doesn’t feel over-posed, especially for guys who are tough to get a genuine smile out of. When a senior feels at ease, parents end up with photos that really, truly look and feel like him.
For example, a guy who plans to study finance and brings a suit as an outfit? We're going to spend time near the corporate building with glass windows for a LinkedIn-style set. Whereas a guy who loves fashion and enjoys art, photography, and painting is someone who I would want to photograph near the colorful stained glass art display on the other side of the location.
It’s the little things like this — wardrobe, personality, comfort level, what music’s playing in the background (it may seem small but it really does matter!) — that shape the vibe of a session. Taking a few moments to read a client’s cues is a small investment of time that yields major returns, because the success of a session hinges on the client feeling comfortable and willing.
If you’re a parent or senior trying to figure out what to wear for your own session, start with your photographer’s style guide (I have one for girls and guys!), peek around Pinterest, avoid large distracting patterns, and remember my three T’s: trendy, timeless, and true to you. And don’t overthink it — seriously…comfort is key!
Also, I just have to say, when a family books me for multiple siblings, it’s one of the highest compliments I can receive. Watching these families build a “volume” of senior albums over the years is truly one of the best parts of my job. So Niko, Andrew… I’ll be on the lookout for the next round of siblings!
