Traffic jams, true crime podcasts, and a race against time? Yup, that was my day. Some days, things just don’t go as planned—and today was definitely one of those days.
I knew the weather was going to be tricky—dark, wet, and moody—but I prepped like the over-planner I am. I scheduled Josue’s senior session earlier than usual, left way ahead of time, and cruised down the 101 with my true crime fix. And then… BAM. A wall of brake lights.
“Ok,” I thought, “It’s just Santa Barbara traffic; this is fine.” (Spoiler: it wasn’t fine.) The rain apparently had everyone channeling their inner disaster driver, and suddenly I was stuck. Watching the clock tick closer to session time felt like the world’s worst countdown.
But through a series of minor miracles (and maybe a little luck), I rolled into Alice Keck Park with enough time and light to capture Josue’s senior session. And let me tell you—this park? Absolute magic for senior portraits.
Nestled in the heart of Santa Barbara, Alice Keck Park is like stepping into a painter’s palette of colors and textures. It’s one of those places that changes with the seasons but always delivers stunning backdrops. On this particular day, despite the gloomy sky, the park was bursting with fresh blooms, lush greenery, and those charming pathways that add just the right touch of elegance to a portrait session. The rain had left everything glistening, adding a dreamy depth to the photos.
And Josue? He walked in cool as ever—calm, collected, and looking sharp while I was still trying to shake off my freeway-induced panic. He owned his session, from effortlessly natural smiles to those confident, timeless shots that seniors dream of.
Sometimes the best sessions come from the most chaotic days. Josue brought the good vibes, the park brought the perfect scenery, and despite the morning’s hiccups, we made some serious senior portrait magic happen.
Big thanks to Josue and his amazing family for being patient and trusting me to capture this milestone, rain delays and all. Congrats, Josue!
