Ximena's Downtown Des Moines Senior Session

Jun 17
2 min read

I have to start by saying that Ximena made my job ridiculously easy.

We met up in downtown Des Moines for her senior session, and despite the fact that most seniors tell me they're nervous about being in front of the camera, Ximena looked completely natural from the start. Either she was secretly a model, or she's just really good at pretending she wasn't being photographed. I'm still not sure which.

A proud graduate smiles in a bright white dress, adorned with multiple honor cords and medals, holding her graduation cap in a beautiful outdoor setting.

One of the reasons I love senior sessions downtown is because there's always something interesting around every corner. We found cool architecture and a few spots that probably looked pretty ordinary to everyone else walking by but photographed beautifully. That's one of the fun things about downtown Des Moines: you don't have to go far to find a great backdrop.

Ximena brought such a fun energy to the session. She was up trying different locations, and trusting me when I said, "Okay, this random wall is going to look amazing." After years of photographing seniors, I've learned that some of the best photo spots are the places people would normally walk right past without a second thought.

The session flew by, which is usually a good sign. Before we knew it, we had photographed in multiple locations and created a gallery full of variety. Some photos felt polished and editorial, while others captured Ximena's genuine smile and personality. Those are always my favorites.

One thing I loved about this session was how much the photos felt like her. That's always the goal. Senior photos shouldn't look like everyone else's. They should reflect your personality, your style, and who you are.

Ximena, thank you for trusting me with your senior photos. It was so much fun exploring downtown Des Moines with you.

And to the Class of 2027: if you've been putting off scheduling your senior photos because you think you'll be awkward in front of the camera, I promise you're not the first person to think that.

Now is the perfect time to start planning your senior photos before the best summer and fall dates are gone!