Finding a location that is green in the middle of the desert might seem difficult.  However, Jillian of Jillian Ryan Photography picked the perfect spot in the middle of Phoenix that allowed her to capture this senior in a beautiful setting complete with green grass and trees!

“Living in the Phoenix desert, it’s difficult to find locations that actually have trees, so when my husband and I found this location, I knew I had to do the shoot there,” said Jillian.  “It was so gorgeous and green!  Finding a location like this combined with a model like Lilly was the inspiration behind the session!”

Check out this beautiful session below and read what else Jillian had to share about it.  Thanks for sharing your work with Seniorologie Jillian!

Website:  www.jillianryanphotography.com

Blog:  www.jillianryanphotography.com

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/JillianRyanPhotography

What was your inspiration for this photo shoot?
Senior sessions are one of my favorite kinds of sessions to photograph and I’m always excited and inspired for all of my senior shoots. Living in the Phoenix desert, it’s difficult to find locations that actually have trees, so when my husband and I found this location, I knew I had to do the shoot there. It was so gorgeous and green! Finding a location like this combined with a model like Lilly was the inspiration behind the session!

Where did this photo shoot take place?
This session took place at a hidden park in Mesa, Arizona.

Did you collaborate with this senior to come up with the clothing and/or concept for this shoot?
I usually ask my seniors what kind of setting they’d prefer to have their session in (nature, urban, rustic, etc.) and we decide on a location based on that. As far as outfit choices go, they have the option to wear at least two outfits that represent their personality and style. I love for my shoots to look natural, whimsical and gorgeous and that’s what I strive for in every session!

What camera, lens or other equipment was used for this shoot?

Canon 5D Mark II
50mm 1.2L lens

What time of day were these taken?
Sunset

Can you share any post-processing techniques used when editing this session?
For post-processing, I do my color corrections in Adobe Camera Raw and use Photoshop for all my final touches, such as retouching a model’s skin.

What is your favorite thing about this session?
It’s hard to pick only one favorite thing about this session! It was a new location, and shooting at a new place is always refreshing and inspiring. But probably my favorite thing was the personality Lilly brought to the session. She’s such a confident young woman and I was beyond impressed with how put together she is. She did her own hair and makeup for the shoot and looked absolutely stunning.

What do you want this session to convey about this senior and about your senior photography style?
My photography style is trendy, natural, and whimsical. I’d want that to be conveyed in a session like this one because a lot of seniors relate to this type of photography style 🙂

What is one tip you can share with other photographers regarding photographing seniors?
I remember when I was in high school there were so many cheesy senior shoots and it’s cool to see that changing! Senior sessions don’t need to take place at the school or in a studio with corny props and poses. Don’t be afraid to take a senior out to a beautiful location and photograph them in a more natural way 🙂