Madelyn Belle Chacon Senior Photos | Rancho Murieta Senior Photographer
Maddie’s senior session was one of those sessions that felt personal from start to finish. Every part of it reflected who she is right now—her love for music, her connection with her faith, and the people (and pup!) that matter most to her.
I photographed her sister Jordan’s senior photos back in 2022, so getting to work with their family again was really special. Maddie came into her session with her own style, her own interests, and a clear vision of what she wanted—and we built the entire session around that.
Starting Close to Home with Gabby
We started the session at the park near Maddie’s house, and right away, it felt relaxed and personal. Maddie wore her black sweater, ripped jeans, and Doc Martens—simple, comfortable, and completely her style.
One of the most important things she wanted was photos with her dog, Gabby. You can see how much Gabby means to her in every image. Those moments weren’t posed or forced—they just happened naturally, and those always end up being the most meaningful.
We also used the small wooden bridge nearby, which added just enough texture while keeping the focus right on Maddie.
Bringing in Her Love for Music
Next, we leaned into one of the biggest parts of who Maddie is—music. She brought her vinyl records, CDs, and headphones, along with her Twenty One Pilots shirt, which made this part of the session feel completely personal to her.
We styled a few of these with her vinyl records spread out around her in the grass, which created such a fun and relaxed look. She also wore her headphones in some of the photos, really leaning into her love of listening to music. And of course, she added a little extra personality with sunglasses in a few shots, which gave this section some fun, confident energy.
These are always some of my favorite moments in a session—when everything reflects what the senior actually loves. It’s not just about how the photos look, it’s about what they represent.
We paired this with a softer, open space on the golf course and incorporated the rock for a little variety, but the focus stayed on Maddie and what she enjoys most.
A More Natural, Laid-Back Feel
As we moved into this part of the session, the light started to soften in the best way. It created that warm, natural glow that gives everything a more relaxed and effortless feel.
We used the pathway and the start of the larger wooden bridge, but this part wasn’t about the location—it was about slowing things down and letting Maddie just be herself. These were some of the more laid-back moments of the session, where she could move naturally, shift between poses, and not feel like anything had to be perfect.
This is where her personality really settled in. Nothing forced, nothing overly posed—just simple, casual moments that feel real and easy. And honestly, those are always the images that end up being favorites.
Celebrating Senior Year with Cap & Gown
We always make time for cap and gown photos, and Maddie’s were such a great mix of classic and modern. Her black dress paired with the blue cap and gown photographed beautifully, especially on the bridge where the lines naturally draw your eye in.
These are the images that really mark this moment in her life—simple, timeless, and something she’ll always have to look back on.
Ending with Meaning on the Hilltop
The last part of Maddie’s session brought everything together. This hilltop location overlooked the entire area and gave us that soft golden light to finish the session.
This spot was especially important to Maddie because of the cross, and her mom even went the extra step to get special permission for us to use it. That made this part of the session feel even more meaningful.
Maddie wanted to include her faith in her photos, and this was the perfect place for that. Between the images with the cross and the quieter moments of her reading her Bible, this part of the session felt really personal to her.
We also captured one of the images she really had her heart set on—a sunset photo holding her senior banner. It was the perfect way to end the session, combining something celebratory with something that truly reflects who she is.
A Session That Truly Felt Like Maddie
This session is a perfect example of what senior photos should be—personal, meaningful, and centered around who the senior is right now.
From her love for music, to the bond she has with Gabby, to the importance of her faith, every part of this session came together in a way that felt natural and true to her.
And that’s always the goal.
To see other senior sessions, take a look through more high school senior portraits here.
