Vintage Senior Photos in Hollywood | Frankie
Oh, the novelty of a Google Search. High School Senior Frankie Rai found me after searching for a Southern California senior photographer online, and her mom’s application immediately piqued my interest. It read:
“Frankie is a dancer. Vintage. Disney. Cats. Old Hollywood girl. Does not like beach or woodsy vibes. Capturing her loving spirit is important.”
First off, we love a mother who knows her daughter so well. Secondly,in a world full of beachy, woodsy, floral senior photos, this felt like such a fun, creative change of pace!
Vintage senior photos? Old Hollywood senior photos? A full glam senior photoshoot in Hollywood? Say less.
It all started with finding the perfect vintage senior photos location.
We worked together to find the perfect spot, doing some research together live during her planning session. We found a few studio options before stumbling upon a mansion available for rent, dubbed the “Sunset Estate.”
It’s important to me that every client’s session prep is as stress-free as possible, so I often try to handle as many logistics as I can. I always tell senior parents that my job is to take things off their plate — not add to it! For this photoshoot, mom handled the venue while I worked on business insurance (dare I say Robyn and I are a dream team?) and together, we had everything squared away just a few days after our first call. This meant Frankie and her mom could focus on the fun stuff like what to wear and what props to bring!
This property was glamorous, opulent, and inspiring. As a photographer, I love locations that offer variety, but this one was something special. There were so many different mini-backdrops within one space that her three-hour session absolutely flew by. From the green room boasting a sage-green velvet couch and floor-to-ceiling curtains to the gold-adorned bathroom, it really was a photographer’s dream!
If you’ve read my blog post about dance senior pictures, you already know I have a soft spot for dancers. And Frankie was no exception.
With her background in dance, she seemed completely at ease in front of the camera. This allowed us the time and space to experiment with fun poses, outfit and prop combinations, and really maximize the time we had in the space.
One of my favorite elements from these vintage senior photos was the way Frankie wove her story into them.
She brought meaningful props like her ballet pointe shoes, a dance costume from when she was younger, and her mom brought framed photos of her throughout the years. Senior photos aren’t just about who you’re becoming — it’s about honoring where you’ve been. That subtle nod to her childhood added so much heart to an already stunning gallery.
Frankie also took advantage of adding on hair and makeup with Paige to her session. Having a professional on site for touch-ups, fixes, and style changes is a game-changer for a senior photoshoot.
I don’t take for granted that this is my job. Getting to celebrate young men and women at such a pivotal time in their life — watching them step into who they’re becoming — is something I’ll never get tired of. Sessions like this, especially ones that feel so creatively aligned, remind me why I love being a Southern California senior photographer in the first place.
