Urban Senior Portraits In Downtown San Jose

Elena’s Urban Senior Portraits In Downtown San Jose

Most of my Senior Portraits take place at a park (like Vasona Park) or a beach. But this may not be something that fits the “look” you want to go for. For Elena’s session, she wanted something with a little more of an urban look and feel to the session. Here are some of the fun and candid images we captured for Elena’s urban Senior Portraits in Downtown San Jose. As well as a few things to consider when choosing a location for Senior Portraits that your Photographer has not shot at before.

Make Sure The Location Does Not Require A Photo Permit

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One of the first things you will want to look into is whether or not the location requires a photo permit. Believe it or not, MANY locations do not allow professional portrait sessions to be done without prior approval. This often includes a decent size fee that can range from $50-$150.

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There are a couple of places, in Downtown San Jose, that require a permit (like San Pedro Square). However the great thing about Downtown San Jose is that there are many places that you can wander around and take pictures at. I LOVE all of the murals, brick walls and other colorful backgrounds in Downtown San Jose.

If Possible, Take A Visit To The Location A Day Before The Session

Another thing I recommend is taking a look at the location a day or so before the session. If possible, bring your Highschooler along with you to scope out some areas they may want to take pictures at. Doing this will give them confidence when the actual session takes place.

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For the session, your Photographer will have a lot of ideas and poses. But it is always great to get input and ideas from the client. It is your session and it is important to incorporate any ideas you have into the session. So make sure to mention this as we go through the session 🙂

Schedule The Session At A Time That Has Great Lighting

Lastly, you will want to make sure to schedule the session at a time that has great lighting. The best time to take Senior Portraits is typically going to be in the evening. But certain locations can have great lighting at other times of the day as well. What you will want to look for is a lot of open shade and even lighting. This allows for soft and flattering lighting for the portraits. About an hour before the sun sets, is the perfect time for most outdoor Senior Portraits 😉

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Hopefully these tips from Elena’s urban Senior Portraits in Downtown San Jose have been helpful. Just remember that some locations require a photo permit. Try to take a visit to the location a day or so before the session date. And to schedule the session at a time of the day where the lighting is GREAT 🙂

If you are looking to schedule your own Senior Portrait session, I would love to connect. The best way to reach me is through a quick email or through the contact form on my website. Thanks!