If you could let yourself dream of a photo session in any location… where would you want to go?
Each year I collaborate with a group of amazingly talented photographers to select an amazing photo destination to offer our clients. The experience is meant to go above and beyond what you would expect for senior photos. In fact, it is not much like senior photos, but rather a fully styled, immersive model experience. For months before the actual date is set, our photographer team is scouting the best spots for the destination, planning out logistics and working hard to make sure that our clients receive a first class pampered experience. We either bring in the best make up artists from the area or travel with our own team and in many cases we are able to provide wardrobe styling provided by boutiques for a fully stylized experience. Bottom line: A destination is AMPSENIORS is a once in a lifetime experience!
I was thrilled when Mikayla booked my Destination: San Diego trip! Not only is she the most adorable and kind-hearted person (with the BEST southern accent around) She is a beautiful girl that loves the camera (and the camera loves her!) Once the booking was set, I began working to style Mikayla for her dream destination!
The first step was to narrow down the BEST locations and MUST have shots in San Diego to maximize our two days together. Trust me, those two days were FILLED with amazing locations! We wanted a mix of the beauty of the ocean (since we don’t get that here in Texas!) and also wanted to make sure we hit some spots that were to exclusive San Diego. I love to plan, and honestly, the hardest part was narrowing down the spots! On the list of must photograph spots were Balboa Park, North Park, La Jolla and Wind and Sea Beach.
Here is a peek at my vision boards for locations we would visit.
After the vision boards were set we worked on styling the perfect outfits for each location! This process involves a lot of trial and error and shopping! After all, you have to be overly prepared when packing for a destination! We met a few times to try on outfits and finalize our plan. Then, after careful planning and mapping out our session route and schedule, we were ready to tackle San Diego!
So many things to prepare so packing your photography gear is a check and double-check kinda situation. The photographers arrive the day before to scout the spots and get ready for clients to arrive and then it is GAME ON!
Actual surfers at our beach location for tomorrow… so fun!
DAY ONE
We started our first day with a morning drive into La Jolla. We were thrilled that we managed to get permission to take some photos inside the exclusive La Valencia Hotel which was a dream come true! A pink hotel on the ocean? Yes, please!! And now I must add this to my “hotels I must stay in” list because it was an absolutely gorgeous property!
After a morning at the Valencia we stopped for lunch and then explored some of the gorgeous walls in La Jolla including this favorite spot which was perfect for some fun bold color!
Then we headed to our beach location (Wind and Sea Beach) for a couple outfits
The sunset was STUNNING and Mikayla looked gorgeous in this vintage thrifted dress from my style closet!
DAY TWO
We started the day off in the super trendy North Park area exploring the many murals and cute shops! So happy we got to check Holy Matcha off our destination bucket list because the shop was to die for! So cute and the matcha ice cream was amazing!
Then we moved on to the amazing Balboa Park. We couldn’t believe how HUGE this place was and honestly could have spent an entire day there! The cactus garden was epic.
As part of her destination purchase Mikayla got a gorgeous signature album that was custom designed with all her favorite images from her two day destination. I am sure this will be an experience she will remember forever.
So if you could go anywhere for photos, what would YOUR dream destination be? You never know where AMPSENIORS will be heading next!
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