Connor, a senior at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, kicked off his senior pictures session before most of the city was awake. We started during the soft blue hour light, just before sunrise, when the streets were quiet and the sky carried that deep early-morning glow. The result was a cinematic series of portraits with his car that look like they could have been pulled straight from a movie scene.
The reflections on the hood, the glow from the headlights, and the cool tones of the morning light gave those first shots a bold, dramatic feel. Blue hour is one of my favorite times to photograph cars because it allows the subject and the vehicle to really stand out without harsh sunlight or deep shadows. It is short-lived but worth it every time.
As the sun began to rise, the colors shifted beautifully into warm golds and soft ambers. We moved from the urban setting into nature, making the most of the nearby trails and fall foliage around Ann Arbor. The leaves were just starting to turn, giving us that perfect mix of late-summer greens and early autumn tones that make fall senior pictures in Ann Arbor so special.
Connor switched things up with a relaxed look for the second half of his session. Surrounded by trees and the river in the distance, the mood changed from cinematic to timeless. The golden light filtered through the branches and gave everything a peaceful, natural glow. It was one of those mornings where the light did all the work and all you needed to do was capture it.
Sessions like Connor’s are a great example of how versatile a single morning can be. From the moody blue hour car portraits to the classic outdoor shots, each location offered something completely different. The combination of urban and natural backdrops worked perfectly for a laid-back senior who wanted photos that felt both cool and genuine.
For anyone planning senior pictures in Ann Arbor, mornings like this are ideal. You get the best of both worlds: cinematic light for something dramatic followed by golden hour warmth for something timeless. Add in the fall color and you have a setting that cannot be duplicated any other time of year.
Want senior pictures that actually mean something? I’ll help you create a session that feels like you. Let’s plan something that tells your story and highlights where you’re headed next.
➡️ Click here to book your session
📞 Call or text 313-883-9500 any time
📩 Still have questions? Contact me online
Sneak Peek
Recommendations
Excellent blog and AMAZING pix! We so enjoyed the photo shoot with Paul! He was easy to talk to, open to ideas, and flexible with all requests. It was amazing to see his inspiration merge with ours and we couldn’t be happier with these results. Thank you, Paul!