Oregon Senior Session: Cottage Core Aesthetic Photos

Myla’s cottage core aesthetic photos are the epitome of a personalized senior session!

Over the last couple of years, cottage core aesthetic photos have become more and more popular. Many seniors are choosing to have cottage core aesthetics be a part of their session in some form or another. If you haven’t heard of cottage core before, you can learn more about it here! Basically, it’s romanticizing rural life, which is sooo fun for our senior adventure sessions. It’s a mix of classic, cozy, outdoorsy, and somewhat whimsical vibes and we are HERE FOR IT!!

A look into Myla’s cottage core aesthetic photo session

Myla’s senior session was such a stunning one! This was a really unique session because we took photos at her childhood home, which has a magical backyard with her pet duck, a creek, and goats. The creek added a special sense of magic to the session, and Myla incorporated the cottage core aesthetic with details like a bow in her hair, soft clothing, flowers, and a book.  

It’s the best when seniors find personal ways to customize their sessions. Moving on from your senior year is such a big part of your life, and it’s important to feel like your unique story is incorporated into the photos that you have to document this season. 

It’s my job as your photographer to help you tell this story! When we work together, I’ll help you plan out the details of your session through guides, questionnaires, & a mood board. The goal is to not only end up with stunning pictures, but to create a day that’s really fun and personal to you. Remember, this experience should feel FUN and full of adventure. We want this to be a really memorable time for you.

Want to create a personalized senior session that you love?

One way that we create a really personal experience during your senior session is to choose a location that’s meaningful and/or inspiring. When we work together, I’ve already found tons of locations that are great for senior photos, but sometimes seniors have a unique or private place that matters more. For example, with Myla’s session, we chose to take photos in her childhood backyard. That obviously wouldn’t have been available to other people, but it was meaningful to her, and contributed greatly to the cottage core aesthetic photos we were going for. 

Another great way to personalize your session is to choose details that are meaningful to you. Myla wanted her pet ducks in her session, and we even got some adorable shots of just her duck. Getting some photos of her reading a book was also great, because that’s different from some seniors who might have other hobbies. It’s all about telling a story about what makes you, you!

Here are some details you could consider to customize your senior session:

• Books
• A favorite local spot 
• Musical instruments
• Your favorite sweater or outfit
• Your childhood pet

Cottage core aesthetic photos are all about the ambience

All of my senior sessions are really focused on you and creating an experience that makes you happy and comfortable! But in particular, cottage core aesthetic photos are definitely about creating a specific style & look which takes planning and attention to detail in your outfits and location.

One way we love to set the ambience during a senior session is to play music. If you want to play Taylor Swift, I got you!! If you’re more of a country fan, we can do that too! 

When you think about the ambience of your session, think about the overall feeling or emotion you want your session to have. Do you want it to feel playful and fun? A little dark and moody? Sunny and vibrant? We can make it happen! (P.S. if you’re looking for a sunny and vibrant vibe, check out these sunflower senior pictures!

When we were planning Myla’s day, she wanted to appear like a forest fairy in the trees. We got relaxing, whimsical photos of her reading, exploring the forest, and generally relaxing in nature. It was beautiful!!

How to incorporate cottage core aesthetic into your photos:

One of the best ways to really set the tone for your photos is to start with a mood board, which I do with all of my seniors! Check out this cottage core aesthetic mood board that I put together before Myla’s session. The mood board includes outfit and location inspiration. 

If you can’t think of an outfit or location that you already like, I’ll help you pick an outfit and can suggest a location that I’ve already visited and am certain will be perfect for you.

Watch this TikTok for more inspo for cottage core aesthetic photos.

Here are some details you could incorporate into your session to get cottage core aesthetic photos:

• Elegant, feminine, and soft but cozy outfits like:
  • Cardigans
  • Summer floral dresses
  • Bows
  • Imperfect or natural hair
  • Romantic and natural makeup
• Farm or countryside details
• Old-style books
• Cozy coffee mugs
• Flowers (especially wildflowers!)
• Baskets, especially picnic baskets
• Fruit or pastries
• Polaroids, especially ones that feel old
• Journals or notebooks
• Tea cups
• Your favorite bicycle
• A camera (this is perfect if your hobby is photography!)
• Your cute pet, especially if you own a bunny, kitten, duck, or horse!
• Watercolor paintings (paper and paints!)

Your senior session can really go as far as your imagination! It’s all about going on an adventure and making everything feel really unique to you. When you’re ready to bring your photo dreams to life, reach out! I’m familiar with a lot of Oregon locations that are perfect for a senior session, including some that could make your cottage core senior photos come to life. 

When we work together, you’ll get a session guide from me to help you get inspired for your photo session. We’ll find something that’s uniquely you!! 

Interested in booking a summer senior session? Get in touch!