As a portrait photographer, I am asked to capture the essence of my subjects, and this is especially true for senior portrait sessions. I recently had the opportunity to work with a young man named Trey, and his session was truly one-of-a-kind.

Trey's senior portrait session took place at the historic Olivenhain Pioneer House just before sunset, and the location provided a beautiful rustic backdrop for his photos. On a typical senior portrait shoot, I might focus on what university the senior is planning to attend, but Trey hadn't yet decided which school he would be attending. So, instead, we decided to focus on something that was important to Trey - his truck.

Trey's truck is a nearly 30-year-old Ford F150 with a camper shell, and he has put a lot of time and effort into restoring it and making it his own. He has a deep appreciation for the work that goes into maintaining and restoring vintage vehicles, and he was eager to incorporate this into his senior portrait session.

I was struck by the pride that Trey had for his truck. He was eager to show off all the hard work he had put into it, and he was excited to see the finished product. Some of our favorites shots took place as the sun dropped behind the hills to the west and we turned on his truck’s lights, including the LED lightbar he incorporated into the front grille. Trey was a natural in front of the camera, and he brought a sense of calm and confidence to the session that shines through in the images.

The final portraits turned out beautifully. The rustic setting of the Olivenhain Pioneer House provided the perfect backdrop for Trey's truck, and the focus on this special part of his life made the photos unique and personal. The portraits captured Trey's love for his truck, as well as his adventurous spirit and his love of life.

I think Trey's senior portrait session was a true reflection of who he is, and I am grateful to have been a part of it. While many senior portrait sessions focus on the university the senior is planning to attend, Trey's session was a refreshing change of pace, as we focused on something that was important to him and that captured his personality in a unique and meaningful way. I hope that these portraits will be cherished memories for Trey for years to come. Enjoy a few of his favorite images from the shoot…