Senior Portraits with Instruments – Violin and Cello Beach Session

MUSICIAN SENIOR PORTRAITS AT TREASURE ISLAND BEACH

Close-up of Emma’s graduation cap decorated with butterflies and the words “Ready to fly 2025.”

Incorporating a lifelong passion into senior portraits creates images with soul. For Emma and Kenzo, that meant bringing their violin and cello down to the sand at Treasure Island Beach. The contrast of classical wooden instruments against the rugged Laguna coastline created a dramatic, cinematic look that elevated this session from a standard senior shoot to fine art.

Black and white photo of Emma passionately playing violin on the rocks by the water.

Why You Shoud Bring Your Passion to the Beach

THE CINEMATIC CONTRAST

There is something visually striking about placing classical wooden instruments against a rugged coastline. The warm tones of the cello and violin pop against the cool blues of the ocean and the textured rocks at Treasure Island Beach. It creates a dramatic, "Vanity Fair" style portrait that feels far more artistic and personalized than a standard smile-at-the-camera headshot.

Emma in graduation gown holding decorated cap with butterfly details during senior portraits at Laguna Beach.

A SIBLING SEND-OFF

With Emma heading to Cushing Academy in Boston and Kenzo off to Portugal, this session was about more than just graduation—it was a farewell. Doing a joint senior session allowed us to capture their individual personalities while also documenting their bond as siblings one last time before they scattered across the globe.

Emma smiling in blue cap and gown with Class of 2025 sash at Treasure Island Beach.

INSTRUMENT SAFETY FIRST

Bringing valuable instruments to the beach requires care. We utilized the dry, flat rock formations at the base of the cliffs to pose. This kept the cello and violin safely away from the sand and salt spray while still getting that epic ocean backdrop. It’s the perfect compromise for musicians who want the drama of the sea without risking their gear.

Full-length senior portrait of Emma in blue graduation gown holding butterfly-themed cap.
Emma seated outdoors in her cap and gown during Laguna Beach senior portraits.
Candid black and white photo of Emma laughing with her brother Kenzo at the beach.
Emma in graduation gown posing with her brother Kenzo during senior photo session.
Emma walking in her graduation gown along the palm tree path at Treasure Island Beach.
Emma holding her graduation cap up high while smiling at the camera in Laguna Beach.
Emma in graduation gown standing near the railing with ocean waves in the background.
Close-up portrait of Kenzo in black shirt with natural golden light at the beach.
Kenzo sitting with Emma smiling behind him during a casual sibling portrait on the rocks.
Emma and Kenzo sitting on rocks at Treasure Island Beach during sibling portrait session.
Close-up of Cushing Academy graduation medals draped over Emma’s shoulder.
Close-up of Emma’s lace white dress and jewelry during Laguna Beach portraits.
Emma leaning on a rock with Kenzo sitting nearby during their beach portrait session.
Detail photo of Emma’s layered gold necklaces catching the light during her portraits.
Silhouette of Emma standing on rocks looking out at the sunset over the ocean.
Emma in white dress running across tidepool rocks during her senior session.
Close-up of cello strings and bridge in warm evening light during Kenzo’s portraits.
Emma holding violin and Kenzo with cello sitting on rocks at Treasure Island Beach.
Kenzo standing on rocks holding his cello against the ocean backdrop at sunset.
Black and white portrait of Kenzo focused while playing his cello outdoors.
Emma in floral dress playing violin on rocks with the ocean in the background.
Sunset portrait of Emma holding violin and looking off toward the horizon.
Emma and Kenzo playing violin and cello together on rocks with waves crashing behind them.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • We are extremely careful. We stay on the dry rocks or upper sand areas to avoid salt spray and moisture. I never ask you to place a valuable instrument directly on wet sand.

  • Absolutely. As seen with Emma and Kenzo, having a sibling join for the last 30 minutes is a great way to update family portraits before the senior heads off to college.

  • For instrument shots, slightly dressier attire (like Emma’s floral dress) often pairs better with the elegance of the cello/violin than casual jeans. It creates a timeless "concert on the beach" aesthetic.