Not Every Senior Girl Dreams of Wildflowers: An Edgy Senior Session in Pittsburgh for a Girl Who Refuses to Be Put in a Box
Bookstores, Coffee Shops, Bridges, and the Pittsburgh Skyline
When we started planning this session, Ariana’s inspiration list was unlike anything I usually receive.
Her vision included: City streets, Bridges, Bookstores, Coffee shops, Pittsburgh skylines, Her favorite books, and Anime collectibles
And if that doesn’t perfectly summarize Ariana’s personality, I don’t know what does. I love senior sessions like this because they’re built around storytelling instead of trends. The goal isn’t to create photographs that look like everyone else’s. The goal is to create photographs that look like you.
Meet Ariana
Ariana is a senior at Dauphin County Vo-Tech, where she’s enrolled in the landscaping program. Her love of flowers runs so deep that she has both orchids and a lotus flower tattooed on her arms.
But that’s only one small piece of who she is.
She’s also:
- A bookstore employee
- A coffee drink creator
- An anime enthusiast
- A collector of gemstones, figures, and special-edition books
- A lover of all things Y2K
- A cat person
- A gifted singer
- Someone with an almost superhuman ability to memorize song lyrics
Her music taste is exactly what you’d expect from someone who refuses to fit into a single category. Her playlists jump from Sublime to Mitski, Twenty One Pilots, Olivia Rodrigo, Bad Omens, and, according to Ariana, absolutely anything by Megan Thee Stallion….that’s some range.
The Most Important Part of This Story Has Nothing to Do With Senior Pictures
One question on my senior questionnaire always tells me more about someone than any other. What do you want to remember most about this time in your life?
She wants to remember becoming her most authentic self. She wants to remember surviving. She wants to remember finding her people. She wants to remember learning how to stop caring so much about everyone else’s expectations and finally allowing herself to become exactly who she was always supposed to be.
That’s a powerful realization for anyone. Especially during your senior year. Her three words? Empathetic. Eccentric. Resilient. I honestly can’t think of a more accurate description.
More Than Senior Pictures
One of the things I loved most about reading through Ariana’s questionnaire was seeing how much she wants to help people. Her future plans involve advocating for those struggling with mental health because she never wants anyone to feel alone. She knows what it’s like to fight hard battles. She knows what it’s like to feel unheard. And she wants to be part of creating change.
Whether that path begins after a gap year or unfolds in an entirely different way, I have a feeling she’s going to leave her mark on this world.
Ready to Plan a Senior Session That’s Completely Different?
If you’re looking for senior photos in Blairsville, Pittsburgh, Indiana County, or anywhere in Western Pennsylvania, let’s create a session that actually reflects who you are. Bring the books. Bring the coffee. Bring the collectibles. Bring the stuffed animal you’ve had since birth.
Most importantly? Bring your authentic self.
Five Random Facts About Ariana That You Need to Know
- She owns a stuffed dog named Bella that she’s had since birth.
- She gives her sister increasingly ridiculous Twilight-themed Christmas gifts every year.
- She prefers the city over the beach.
- She has a daith piercing in her right ear.
- She can spend money faster than most people can refresh their banking app. Preorders are already lined up.
Bonus fact?
She still has an album filled with baby pictures of the chicks she helped hatch in elementary school, including photos of them going down makeshift playground slides. I honestly don’t know if anything could be more wholesome than that.
Frequently Asked Questions About Senior Photos
Can I bring books, collectibles, or personal items to my senior session?
Absolutely. Your favorite books, collectibles, musical instruments, or sentimental items help tell your story and make your session feel more personal.
Do all senior sessions have to be outdoors?
Not at all. Coffee shops, bookstores, city streets, bridges, rooftops, and urban locations can create incredible senior portraits.
What if I don’t like having my picture taken?
You’re not alone. Many seniors tell me they’re nervous because they don’t like traditional, posed photographs. That’s why I focus on movement, conversation, and natural interactions instead of stiff poses.
