A high school senior stands on a Seattle rooftop in a shimmery prom dress. The Space Needle and urban skyline with stadiums are visible

High School Senior Rooftop Sessions in Tacoma and Seattle

by High School Seniors

Urban Senior Portraits with a City Vibe

Not every high school senior dreams of fields, forests, or beaches for their senior photos. Some want something modern, bold, and unique. That’s where rooftop senior sessions come in.

Rooftop senior portraits have become one of my favorite ways to create images that feel stylish, editorial, and completely different from traditional senior photography. With city skylines, architectural lines, dramatic lighting, and urban textures, rooftop locations in Tacoma and Seattle offer an incredible backdrop for seniors who want photos that stand out.

Why Choose a Rooftop Senior Session?

Rooftop sessions combine the energy of the city with open skies and beautiful natural light. The result is a look that feels modern, confident, and a little bit like a magazine cover.

Unlike busy streets, rooftops often provide clean backgrounds, interesting architecture, and unobstructed views of the skyline. They allow us to create a variety of looks in a single location, from casual and relaxed to dramatic and fashion-inspired.

Whether you’re a student athlete, musician, artist, or simply someone who loves the city, rooftop portraits create a unique setting that reflects your personality.

Tacoma Rooftop Senior Photography

Downtown Tacoma offers some incredible urban portrait opportunities. Rooftop locations throughout the city showcase views of the skyline, historic architecture, the Thea Foss Waterway, and on clear days, even Mount Rainier. Tacoma’s combination of industrial textures, brick buildings, and city views creates a look that feels both modern and authentic.

One of the things I love most about Tacoma rooftop sessions is the variety. Within just a few blocks, we can incorporate rooftop views, parking garage architecture, murals, city streets, and waterfront scenery into a single session.

The result is a gallery filled with images that feel dynamic and uniquely Pacific Northwest.

Seattle Rooftop Senior Photography

For seniors looking for a bigger city atmosphere, Seattle rooftops provide an iconic urban backdrop. The city skyline, modern architecture, and downtown energy create portraits with a distinctly metropolitan feel.

Seattle rooftop sessions work especially well for seniors who want fashion-forward images or content that feels similar to what they see in magazines, sports media, or social media campaigns.

The city’s rooftops can provide views of skyscrapers, waterfront scenery, and dramatic city lights that make every session feel like an adventure.

What Should You Wear?

Urban senior sessions photograph best when outfits complement the city environment.

Some popular choices include:

  • Jeans and a fitted top
  • Dresses with movement
  • Leather jackets
  • Sneakers or boots
  • School letterman jackets
  • Sports uniforms
  • Trendy streetwear-inspired outfits

Neutral colors, blacks, whites, earth tones, and denim tend to photograph beautifully against urban backgrounds. Bringing multiple outfits allows us to create different looks throughout your session.

The Best Time for Rooftop Senior Photos

Early morning or sunset

Let’s Create Something Unique

Your senior year only happens once, and your portraits should feel like you.

If you love the city, modern architecture, and a more editorial style of photography, a rooftop senior session in Tacoma or Seattle might be the perfect fit. Together we’ll create images that celebrate your personality while showcasing some of the most iconic urban scenery in the Pacific Northwest.

Ready to plan your senior session? I’d love to help you create a one-of-a-kind rooftop experience.

Volleyball senior portrait of Auburn WA high school athlete holding volleyball.

What to Bring to a Volleyball Portrait Session

by Sports

Whether you’re a setter, hitter, libero, or middle blocker, volleyball portraits can showcase both athleticism and personality. If you’re looking for volleyball media day photography or volleyball senior portraits in Auburn WA, I’d love to help.

Volleyball athletic portraits look best when athletes bring a mix of gear and personal style.

Recommended items include:

  • Full volleyball uniform
  • Volleyball
  • Knee pads
  • Team jersey
  • Volleyball shoes
  • Team warmups
  • Alternate jerseys (if available)

Extra items:

  • Varsity jacket
  • Team hoodie
  • Letterman jacket
  • College commitment gear
  • Awards, medals, or championship memorabilia

Adding personal details makes the session more meaningful and helps tell the story of your athlete’s volleyball journey.

Serving Auburn WA & Nearby Communities

I understand that parents and athletes searching for a high school volleyball photographer near Auburn, WA want more than traditional sports photography. They want images that showcase confidence, teamwork, determination, and the dedication their athlete has invested both on and off the court.

I photograph athletes throughout Auburn, Kent, Federal Way, Covington, Maple Valley, Bonney Lake, Puyallup, Sumner, and the greater South King County area.

Ready to Plan Your Volleyball Portrait Session?

A custom volleyball portrait session creates lasting memories that go beyond the final match. Whether you’re celebrating a senior season, creating recruiting photos, or documenting years of hard work and growth, these portraits capture an important chapter in your athlete’s life.

View more Auburn senior and athlete photography at Shauna Hurn Photography and explore additional senior portrait inspiration on Shauna Hurn’s Senior Portraits page.

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What to Bring to a Basketball Portrait Session

by Sports

Today’s basketball portraits often feature dramatic lighting, creative posing, and editorial-style imagery inspired by college recruiting graphics and professional sports media. If you’re looking for basketball media day photography or basketball senior portraits in Auburn WA, I’d love to help.

Basketball athletic portraits look best when athletes bring a mix of gear and personal style.

Recommended items include:

  • Full basketball uniform
  • Basketball
  • Team warmups
  • Game jersey
  • Basketball shoes
  • Alternate uniforms if available

Extra items:

  • Varsity jacket
  • Team hoodie
  • Letterman jacket
  • College commitment gear
  • Awards or championship memorabilia

Adding personal details helps create a session that reflects the athlete’s personality and dedication to the sport.

Serving Auburn WA & Nearby Communities

I understand that parents and athletes searching for a high school basketball photographer want more than traditional sports photography. They want images that highlight confidence, character, athleticism, and the journey their athlete has worked so hard to achieve.

I photograph athletes throughout Auburn, Kent, Federal Way, Covington, Maple Valley, Bonney Lake, Puyallup, Sumner, and the greater South King County area.

Ready to Plan Your Basketball Portrait Session?

A custom basketball portrait session creates meaningful images that go beyond the game itself. Whether you’re celebrating a senior season, creating recruiting materials, or documenting years of dedication on the court, these portraits preserve an unforgettable chapter in your athlete’s life.

View more Auburn senior and athlete photography at Shauna Hurn Photography and explore additional senior portrait inspiration on Shauna Hurn’s Senior Portraits page.

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What to Bring to a Baseball Portrait Session

by Sports

Bring your gear and yourself!  Recommended items include:

  • Full baseball uniform
  • Baseball bat
  • Glove
  • Baseballs
  • Cleats
  • Hat
  • Catcher’s gear (if applicable)
  • Pitching equipment (if applicable)

Extra items:

  • Varsity jacket
  • Team hoodie
  • Letterman jacket
  • College commitment gear
  • Championship rings or awards

Serving Auburn WA & Nearby Communities

I understand that parents and athletes searching for a high school baseball photographer near Auburn, WA want more than traditional sports photography. They want images that showcase personality, confidence, dedication, and the years of hard work that have gone into the game they love.

I photograph athletes throughout Auburn, Kent, Federal Way, Covington, Maple Valley, Bonney Lake, Puyallup, Sumner, and the greater South King County area.

Ready to Plan Your Baseball Portrait Session?

A custom baseball portrait session creates lasting memories beyond the final season. Whether you’re celebrating a senior year, creating recruiting photos, or simply documenting your athlete’s love of the game, these portraits become treasured keepsakes for years to come.

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What to Bring to a Football Portrait Session

by Sports

Athletic portraits have evolved beyond standard team photos. Today’s football senior sessions often include cinematic lighting, and editorial-style imagery inspired by recruiting graphics and sports media. If you are looking for football media day or football senior photography in Auburn WA, I’d love to help you out.

Football athletic portraits look best when athletes bring a mix of gear and personal style.

Recommended items include:

  • Full football uniform
  • Football
  • Helmet
  • Jerseys
  • Gloves
  • Cleats
  • Extra Misc: Varsity jacket, Team hoodie, College commitment gear

Adding personal details makes the session more unique and meaningful.

Serving Auburn WA & Nearby Communities

I get that parents and athletes searching for high school football photographer Seattle, WA often want more than traditional sports photography. They want images that show personality, confidence, and the journey their athlete has worked so hard for.  I photograph athletes throughout South King County and surrounding areas.

Ready to Plan Your Football Portrait Session?

A custom football portrait session creates something meaningful beyond the game itself.  View more Auburn senior and athlete photography at Shauna Hurn Photography and explore additional senior portrait inspiration on Shauna Hurn’s Senior page.

JaredBaserman-Graduation-May21-35

Senior Photos in Auburn, WA: Capturing the Moment Before They Take Their Next Step

by High School Seniors

There’s a moment—somewhere between carpool lines, late-night homework, and watching them walk across a stage—when it hits you: your child is no longer a child.

Senior year has a way of sneaking up. One minute you’re packing lunches, and the next you’re searching for senior photos in Auburn, WA and wondering how to freeze time, just for a second.

That’s where senior portraits come in.

They’re not just photos for a yearbook or announcements. They’re a way to capture who your teen is right now—before everything changes.

Why Senior & Grad Photos Matter More Than You Think

When parents start looking for grad photos in Auburn, WA, they often think they just need a few “nice pictures.”

But what you’re really preserving is:

  • The confidence they’ve grown into
  • The personality they’ve developed
  • The interests that define them right now
  • The version of them you’ll always want to remember

Because a year from now, things will look different. And these photos become something you come back to again and again.

Making Senior Photos Feel Like Them

The best senior photos in Auburn, WA don’t look stiff or overly posed. They feel real.

That’s why sessions are designed around your teen:

  • Their hobbies (sports, music, creative interests)
  • Their personal style (casual, dressy, trendy, minimal)
  • Their comfort level in front of the camera

Some seniors want multiple outfits and locations. Others want something simple and relaxed. Both are perfect—because the goal is authenticity.

For Parents: This Is Your Moment Too

You may not be in every photo—but this experience is just as much for you.

It’s a chance to slow down and really see them:

  • The way they smile now
  • The confidence they carry
  • The person they’ve become

Many parents tell me afterward that senior photos felt unexpectedly emotional—in the best way.

Because these images become more than photos. They become part of your family’s story.

When to Book Senior & Grad Photos in Auburn, WA

The most popular times for grad photos in Auburn, WA are:

  • Late spring (April–June) for cap & gown sessions
  • Summer and early fall for senior portraits with warm light and flexible schedules

Booking early gives you the best choice of dates and locations—especially during peak season.

Let’s Create Something Meaningful

If you’re starting to look for senior photos in Auburn, WA or nearby areas like Kent, Federal Way, or Tacoma, this is your sign to begin planning.

Your teen is stepping into a new chapter. Let’s capture this one before it’s gone.

Whether they want something natural, bold, creative, or simple—we’ll create images that feel like them, and that you’ll hold onto for years to come.

Headshots-10-Graphic - Personal Branding

10 Things My Best Headshot Clients Do Before Their Session

by BrandingHeadshots

1. They decide what they want their photo to “say”. Before outfits or hair, they answer:

  • Do I want to look approachable, authoritative, creative, or polished?
  • Where will this photo live (Personal Social Networking, LinkedIn, Website, Speaking, etc.)?

2. They plan outfits ahead of time (not the night before)

  • Try on 2–3 options in advance
  • Make sure everything fits well sitting and standing
  • Snap quick mirror photos to compare

3. They keep it simple

The goal is YOU to stand out—not the outfit

  • Solid Colors, Minimal patterns:
    • Focus on fit and fabric that flatters
    • Choose a neckline that suits you
    • Buttons, pockets and layering thin outer layers add interest
  • Neutral or Tones that flatter your skin
    • 2-3 neutrals (Grey, White, Beige, Brown, Black, Navy, Denim, Khaki)
    • OR 2 neutrals + 1 color
  • Fabric that has structure or texture:
    • crisp cotton, weighted fabrics that create shape or light-weight materials that light reflects like silk or linen

4. They bring options—but not too many

Best practice:

  • 2–3 outfits max
  • Slight variations (jacket on/off, different top)

5. They prep their clothes properly

  • Steam or iron everything
  • Check for lint, wrinkles, pet hair
  • Bring clothes on hangers (not folded in a bag)

6. They stick with what they know works

They choose styles that hide insecurity areas and flatter their best features. A headshot should look like your best real self, not a different person.

They don’t:

  • Try a brand-new hairstyle
  • Experiment with bold makeup they’ve never worn
  • Wear something totally outside their norm

7. They practice expressions

It helps to know what expressions you like or don’t like in your photos. If don’t know yet, you can start now:

  • Find old photos of yourself (Identify what you like or dislike).
  • Practice your expressions beforehand in selfies or the mirror (see if you can make an expression you like on-command).

8. They show up slightly early and unhurried

  • Arrive 5–10 minutes early
    • *Rushed energy can show up in photos, give yourself time!

9. They understand a portrait session is a partnership, not a passive activity

My best clients trust my process, but they also understand portraiture is the art of capturing someone’s personality and expressions. In order to get good expressions, they need to be willing to open up and give them. We work through nervousness and going blank; which are normal and expected. I will coach you.

It helps if they:

  • Are open to direction and guidance
  • Will try a movement if they look/feel “stiff”
  • Know their preferred expression(s) in advance
  • Don’t hold back if they have an idea or want to improvise

10. They focus on connection, not perfection

The best photos happen when clients engage and connect with the camera, while also taking direction. Most people don’t naturally do this, so I will use direct communication to coach you. I promise I will not be vague and leave you guessing what to do. People who work behind a camera don’t keep their expression frozen they:

  • Let their expression change instead of holding a smile

Remember, Our Clients, Family & Friends respond to real, not perfect!

Partnering with the Federal Way Performing Arts & Event Center | Community-Focused Photography

by BrandingHeadshots

As a Federal Way photographer, I love collaborating with organizations that strengthen our local community. I recently partnered with the Federal Way Performing Arts & Event Center (FWPAEC) to photograph professional headshots and group photos of their staff and administration inside this beautiful, modern event space.

The Performing Arts & Event Center offered an ideal setting for performing arts and brand photography. With its clean architecture, natural light, and contemporary design, the space perfectly reflects the creativity and professionalism of the people who work there.

This collaboration meant more to me than just photography. The Federal Way Performing Arts & Event Center plays an essential role in supporting local arts and culture, creating a place where people can gather, connect, and experience meaningful events together.

With the expansion of the light rail and continued development in Federal Way, the center’s location—right next to the new light rail—makes it more accessible than ever. Positioned in the heart of Federal Way, FWPAEC is perfectly placed to bring the community together through the arts.

I’m grateful to support organizations that invest in culture, creativity, and connection. As a headshot and brand photographer in Federal Way, working with community-focused spaces like the Performing Arts & Event Center is at the heart of what I do.

Looking for a Federal Way photographer for professional headshots or brand photography? I’d love to help tell your story while supporting the local community and arts.

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Why Props Matter in Senior Portraits: Showcasing Personality in Every Frame

by High School Seniors

When it comes to high school senior photography, the most memorable images are the ones that feel personal and authentic. As a senior photographer in Federal Way, WA, one of my favorite ways to highlight a senior’s personality is by incorporating props that represent their interests. Not only do props add visual interest, but they also help tell a senior’s story in a way that feels natural and meaningful.

Recently, I photographed a senior boy who is an incredibly talented composer. For his session, he brought two of his favorite instruments — his keyboard and his keytar — to a local park. This simple choice transformed his session into a set of creative senior photos filled with movement, authenticity, and storytelling.

Props Create Natural Movement & Authentic Expressions

One of the biggest challenges in senior portraits is helping students feel comfortable in front of the camera. Props solve that instantly. When seniors interact with items they love, their body language becomes relaxed and expressive.

As this senior started playing his keyboard, his confidence came through effortlessly. Instead of stiff poses, we captured natural senior portraits with movement, genuine expressions, and body language that reflected who he truly is. These action-based images add variety to a gallery and feel far more meaningful than traditional stand-and-smile photos.

Props Add Variety & Visual Interest to Senior Portraits

Using props opens the door to multiple styles within one session — something families always appreciate when choosing images for prints, announcements, and social media. For this session, we captured:

  • Formal senior portraits with his keyboard
  • Candid shots of him playing his instrument
  • Creative angles that combined the scenery with his musical tools
  • Standout images that told the story of his musical talent

This combination gave him a gallery full of unique senior photos that were polished, personal, and visually dynamic — exactly what we aim for with senior portraits in Federal Way and Auburn WA.

Props Help Tell Their Story Without Words

Senior portraits are more than images; they are a visual time capsule. By bringing props that reflect their passions — whether it’s sports gear, art supplies, books, or musical instruments — seniors create portraits that speak for them.

For this composer, including his keyboard and keytar instantly communicated his love for music. These kinds of music-themed senior portraits are especially powerful because they capture who the student is right now, during one of the biggest transitional moments of their life.

Props Make Seniors Feel More Comfortable

Many seniors feel unsure about posing at first. Props give them something to hold or interact with, immediately shifting the energy from “posing” to simply doing what feels natural. This comfort leads to more genuine, confident expressions — something every parent and senior loves seeing in their final gallery.

Choosing the Right Props for Your Senior Photo Session

If you’re planning senior portraits in South King County, consider bringing items that genuinely reflect your hobbies, passions, or future goals. Some popular ideas include:

  • Musical instruments
  • Sports equipment
  • Journals or books
  • Art or photography tools
  • Dance shoes or performance outfits
  • Uniforms or accessories tied to college plans

The best props are the ones that tell your story authentically.

Daniel-Portraits-2023-65

Building Your Personal Brand in the Heart of Tacoma: Urban Vibes Meet Professional Edge

by BrandingHeadshots

If you’ve ever wondered how to create photos that look authentic, versatile, and professional — all while showing off your personality — Tacoma’s downtown waterfront is the perfect backdrop.

Why Downtown Tacoma Works for Personal Branding

For my latest personal branding photoshoot, I headed to downtown Tacoma, focusing on the areas near the Museum of Glass, Chihuly Bridge of Glass, and Union Station. The mix of urban textures, architectural glass, and moody PNW light created an incredible setting that balanced professionalism with authenticity — ideal for both career-oriented content and personal lifestyle shots. Downtown Tacoma is one of those places that tells a story before you even lift the camera. The area around the Glass Museum and Union Station combines clean, modern lines with a hint of industrial grit — perfect for a shoot that bridges professional and personal vibes.

You get:

  • Architectural drama — curved glass walls, reflective surfaces, and the iconic bridge make your portraits pop.
  • Urban texture — brick walkways, metal railings, and rail lines create visual depth.
  • Varied lighting — from open waterfront light to shadowed nooks under the bridge for moodier tones.

The location itself becomes part of your brand story: grounded, creative, and contemporary.

The Wardrobe Strategy: Business Casual Meets Street Style

For this shoot, I planned two distinct looks that could easily overlap across personal and professional use:

Look 1: Business Casual with Personality

Think polished yet approachable — tailored trousers, a neutral-toned blazer, or a structured dress paired with minimal accessories. This look fits seamlessly on LinkedIn, your website, or professional networking pages, giving you that confident, capable energy.

Look 2: Casual Streetwear for Authentic Connection

Then we pivoted to something more relaxed — denim, sneakers, and textured layers with personality. Shooting in the same location but with a more candid vibe made these shots perfect for Instagram, personal blogs, and even dating profiles.

The contrast between these two outfits — in the same urban setting — visually tells the story of your multifaceted identity. You’re professional and approachable, career-driven and creative.

The Takeaway

Personal branding photography doesn’t have to feel staged or corporate. By choosing a location like downtown Tacoma and pairing it with both business casual and streetwear looks, you can build a cohesive visual library that works across all areas of your life — from professional networking to personal connection.

It’s not just about the photos — it’s about showing who you are across every platform, confidently and consistently.