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When Your Senior Session Turns Into a Beach First

Let’s be honest – senior year is full of firsts. First college acceptance email, first time leading your sports team, or maybe… your first time visiting the beach. That was the case for Ava, who traveled all the way from Iowa to Savannah for her senior experience session. (Yep, she had never been to the beach before. Cue emotional soundtrack!)

Ava and her mom came into town with some flexibility in their schedule, which is always a bonus, especially in early fall when Savannah’s weather plays by its own rules. Even though we worried about rain, we got lucky and were able to shoot on the original date.

Her senior session was a chance to explore some of the most iconic spots in Savannah – from charming downtown squares to the sandy stretch of Tybee at sunset. With four thoughtfully styled outfits and the sweetest energy, Ava’s session was a perfect snapshot of what I love most about senior portraits: meaningful moments, gorgeous light, and a little hair-whipping-in-the-wind magic.

Not Just a Pretty Picture – It’s About the Experience

Here’s the thing – senior photos aren’t just about looking pretty in front of a flowering bush (though let’s not diss the azaleas, OK?). They’re about expressing who you are and having a little fun in the process. I always tell seniors and their moms that we’re not trying to make magazine cover perfection happen. We’re creating memories that actually feel like you.

Sure, the logistics matter – outfits, timing, locations – but more than anything, I want each client to feel confident, comfortable, and celebrated. Ava’s session is a great example of how it all comes together.

She chose my Senior Experience session, which includes:

• 2 locations
• 2 hours of photography
• Up to 4 outfit changes

This session gives us the flexibility to showcase multiple sides of your personality. And if you’re like Ava and traveling in, we can plan the schedule and pacing in a way that works with the rest of your trip.

What Makes a Senior Experience (Really) Memorable?

1. Choose Outfits That Feel Like You – and Photograph Beautifully

Ava crushed the outfit game. We had:

• A modest, cute floral dress for the squares
• A bold red two-piece maxi set that POPPED on camera (seriously, red done right)
• A jeans-and-top classic casual set for the beach
• A long blue floral maxi that flowed perfectly in the wind as we wrapped up the night on Tybee

If you’re unsure what to wear, I always suggest mixing a little dressy, a little casual, and a lot of your style. We go over outfits ahead of time so I can help plan what works where – and trust me, certain spots like Orleans Square or Tybee just call for certain vibes.

2. Trust the Weather, But Pack Patience

Like I said earlier… Savannah weather is dramatic. Especially in early fall when it can go from sunny to sudden sideways rain. Ava and her mom were rockstars about keeping the weekend open just in case. Even though we didn’t need to reschedule, having the flexibility helped everyone stay relaxed.

I always keep an eye on radar, and I’ll never make you guess what’s happening with a session. Transparency is non-negotiable here, especially when you’re traveling from out of town.

3. Location + Personality = Magic

Planning location pairings is basically a skill set of its own. For Ava, we chose:

• Downtown Savannah squares and cobblestone side streets for the first half
• Specifically, Orleans Square and Pulaski Square based on her outfits and the light that time of day
• Tybee Island for sunset – at my favorite beach location

This combination brought in that magical downtown Savannah feel, mixed with the timeless fluff of Spanish moss and the coastal calm of Tybee. Since it was Ava’s first beach experience (can we all collectively “awww?”), it was special to document that moment too.

Pro tip: I only shoot senior sunset sessions at Tybee. It gives us the dreamiest light, and let’s be real, it just feels right for closing out a session.

4. Roll With the Elements

We didn’t get as wet as I would have liked at the beach thanks to rough water, and the wind was doing its thing – by that, I mean basically styling Ava’s hair for us at full volume. But here’s the point: we rolled with it.

Some of the best photos come when you stop fighting for “perfect” and let the moment be. I show up to guide you, cheer you on, and make it feel like you’re just out there having a great time… not surviving a photoshoot.

So What’s the Real Secret Sauce?

It’s not the outfits. Or the pose prompts. Or even the Savannah sunset (although come on, the sunset helps).

It’s the experience of being seen in a way that feels true to you.

Ava’s session reminded me again why I love this work. Whether you’ve never touched saltwater or you’ve grown up on the coast, whether you’re shy in front of the camera or ready to Vogue – YOU deserve a senior session that feels comfortable, fun and genuinely you.

Ready to Book Your Own Experience?

If Ava’s session sounds like the kind of stress-free, memory-making celebration you’re looking for, I’ve got good news: the Senior Experience session is available to book right now.

This session includes:

• 2 hours of photography
• 2 locations (Savannah squares? the beach? your home turf?)
• Up to 4 outfits
• Personalized guidance from “what in the world do I wear?” to “can we frame this one for grandma?”

You can learn more and grab your date on jadengiorgianni.com. Let’s make some magic – Savannah-style.