Where to? | Choosing the Destination for Your Senior Trip & Photos
One thing about me is I’m always going to recommend planning a senior trip to celebrate an upcoming graduation. One of the best parts of travel senior sessions is getting to explore new cities… and revisiting some of my favorites! Over the last few years, I’ve photographed seniors and their families from coast to coast and encountered some seriously cool locations. Each region of the United States has its own perks )aside from differing landscapes for beautiful senior photos.) Allow me to share my experiences to help you narrow in on where you might like to go for your travel senior session.
Nashville Senior Photos
I love Nashville, TN! On a personal level, I try to venture down south once a year to visit Music City. In recent years, I’ve been able to photograph a session or two while I’m in one of my favorite cities, including some of my daughter’s senior photos. We were in town to see The Eras Tour (and I could do a separate blog on that experience altogether!) and snapped some pictures while we were in the area. The food is amazing, there’s no shortage on activities, and if you love music, there’s a musician performing in virtually every restaurant and street corner. Colorful murals acted as such funky backgrounds & it was the perfect opportunity to have fun with the wardrobe. Who doesn’t love a good pair of cowboy boots?
Senior Photos on the Florida Beaches
When you deal with the extremely frigid temps in North Dakota, the white sandy beaches of Florida are like a dream come true! What better way to relax and enjoy some fun in the sun than taking a trip down South to Florida and capturing senior photos while you’re there? Sunsets on the beach are stunning and, from a photography perspective, you have tons of options for posing that involve lots of movement both from my seniors and the tides. The sunshine state boast fresh seafood, Disney World (another favorite of mine), and even more varying landscapes if you don’t want to have every photo on the beach.
NYC Senior Trip
If you’re looking for a special trip that is the polar opposite of small town life, New York City is a must! I’ve done several sessions there and I truly don’t think you could ever run out of landmarks to visit, restaurants to try, or Broadway shows to see. Touring the city that never sleeps and enjoying all of its amazing shopping, coffee, bagels, and people watching on the subway is an experience unlike any other. From urban vibes for the photos themselves to the century-old architecture, you’re guaranteed a gallery and memories that last a lifetime.
Charleston Senior Photos
Another Southern city, Charleston is full of charm, color, culture, and warmth! When I visited for a retreat, I couldn’t help but envision all of the possibilities for senior photos. Actually, as soon as I got home, I started browsing wardrobe pieces that would perfectly complement the colorful buildings on Rainbow Row where we shot some branding photos. It’s a town full of history, nearby beaches, great restaurants, and Southern hospitality! I put together a travel guide for this city you can read here.
Sedona Senior Session
Arizona is another state I enjoy visiting and have photographed on more than one occasion. The red rocks found along the trails of popular Sedona hiking spots contrast beautifully with the blue skies, and I am still loving those galleries years later! This is a great destination for high school seniors and families who like to be more outdoorsy and active because of the hikes. There are tons to choose from with all levels of difficulty, and the views are so worth it! Southwestern design and architecture are peppered through the downtown area, so there’s variation to be had for the photos as well. It’s a blast! Take a look at a past blog about Sedona travel senior sessions here.
California Travel Senior Session
I go into more depth on California and the areas we visited in a separate blog post that you can read here. The trip I blogged about was a group senior session and we stayed for several days as we explored the California coast. Every stop was like we entered a different world! The girls explored Joshua Tree, Glamis Sand Dunes, and the beaches of the Pacific coast after we visited new restaurants in the cities. It really is the best of all worlds!
Glacier National Park Senior Photos
Glacier National Park is an annual tradition for my family and for good reason. This is the ideal spot for outdoorsy seniors and their families who are looking to unplug and take in some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country. From the lakes to the mountains, you can’t beat the scenery for an unforgettable senior gallery.
Oregon Senior Session
I just did back-to-back senior photos in Oregon (you can read about one of them here) and there’s a reason so many people are infatuated with the Pacific Northwest! You get the best of the best of both worlds with Oregon. Explore the locally owned shops, bookstores, and restaurants of downtown Portland or immerse yourself in an otherworldly experience hiking the trails and seeing the waterfalls firsthand. There are tons of beaches to choose from as well, and so much to see while you’re in the area! This also gives you a ton of variety with the photos as you can see in the blog post listed above!
Bucket List Senior Travel Destinations
Of all of the places I’ve visited and photographed, I still have a bucket list for destinations I’d love to shoot for senior sessions or otherwise! Among those are the following:
Maine in the Fall
The colors of the foliage alone would be so worth it. I’m imagining a quintessential autumn photoshoot with all of the jewel tones to compliment the changing leaves. Can you picture it too?
Northern California Redwoods
This would be a larger than life session and what a memory to carry with you for a lifetime!
New Mexico
I really enjoyed the southwest climate and vibes when we visited Arizona. I just know I’d love New Mexico as well, and the galleries would just be *chef’s kiss*.
All National Parks
Aside from the jaw-dropping scenery in the many national parks we have here in the US, how cool would it be to be able to say I’d photographed them all too?!
North Dakota Travel Photographer
Hey, I’m Kellie, a family, senior, and brand photographer serving Williston, ND and beyond! I provide my clients authentic, heartfelt, inspirational photos that tell their stories through my lens. Are you envisioning photos that celebrate a special occasion in a unique way? Let’s make it happen! Take a look at my portfolio and let’s chat about how we can make your dream photos a reality. Want some inspiration in the meantime? Be sure to follow me on Pinterest or come say hi on IG, FB, and TikTok!
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