A Dreamy High School Senior Shoot at Filoli Historic House and Garden

There’s something special about senior photo sessions that take place at iconic California locations—especially when the location is the Filoli Historic House and Garden and the senior is as radiant and stylish as Colette. Believe me that when I tell you, Filoli, nestled in the heart of Woodside, offers the PERFECT setting for high school senior photography: lush gardens, timeless architecture, and the kind of light and florals that dreams are made of.

With senior season right around the corner, I thought it was about time to share this blog post I had in the works about my session with Colette at Filoli from back in April. It’s also almost fall, and let me tell you… Filoli is STUNNING in the fall. Fall leaves come into play and you get golden oranges and reds in the small vineyard. If any senior (or even a couple) wants a fall feel to their photos, Filoli in late October into November is the way to go.

Why Filoli is Perfect for Senior Photos

Filoli is a photographer’s dream. From the grand estate house to flower-lined paths and formal gardens, it’s one of the most versatile and breathtaking senior photo (perfect for couples or engagement photos as well) locations in the Bay Area. Whether you’re going for whimsical, editorial, or timeless elegance, Filoli offers a little bit of everything.

If you’re looking for senior photo locations near the San Francisco Bay Area or San Jose, Filoli delivers the kind of background that will make your graduation portraits unforgettable.

As an aside, one of my favorite little-known facts about Filoli (and a big reason I adore capturing stories here) is that it was a filming location for the romantic comedy The Wedding Planner with Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey. The moment you step onto the grounds, it totally makes sense—it’s bursting with elegance, charm, and that kind of timeless, cinematic feel that makes every session feel like a step into charming history.

Colette’s Session: Elegant, Modern, and Full of Personality

Colette came ready to make the most of her senior session—and she brought three absolutely STUNNING outfits that gave her photos variety and personality.

• Look One: White Dress
  We kicked things off with Colette’s first outfit: a crisp white dress that popped against the garden’s natural color palette. Simple, elegant, and timeless—perfect for capturing the spirit of senior year. We mostly used the sunlit walkways and locations with leading lines such as cypress trees, for these shots, which gave the photos a classic and serene feel. Her dress popped well against the cypress trees especially.

• Look Two: Green Pants + White Shirt
  Colette’s second outfit brought a cool, confident edge: slightly high-waisted green pants paired with a fresh white sleeveless top that had a cute puff at the waist. It was clean, stylish, and super versatile. Having one outfit with pants allowed us to do some sitting poses that the dresses wouldn’t have lent to quite as well. We even snuck her mom and dad into a couple photos as well in this outfit!

• Look Three: Green Tulle Dress
  In my opinion, we saved the best outfit for last. Colette’s third outfit was an absolutely jaw-dropping green tulle dress. Light, airy, and full of movement, it gave off soft editorial vibes as Colette twirled through the gardens. The dress complemented the rich greens of Filoli’s hedges and trees perfectly. It was honestly like a modern fairytale in motion. One of my favorite places I posed her in the dress was sitting on the grass towards the back of Filoli with her dress splayed out around her; I think that image will live in my mind forever haha.

Capturing Senior Year in a Meaningful Way

What made this session really stand out was how relaxed and present Colette was throughout the shoot. That’s the sweet spot for great senior portraits—when we’re leaning into the inspiring setting, having fun, and also the senior feels stunning and confident.

Whether she was striking a strong pose in front of the estate or laughing mid-twirl in the gardens, every moment felt intentional and joyful. And that’s exactly what high school graduation photos should capture.

Planning Your Senior Session at Filoli

If you’re thinking about senior pictures at Filoli Gardens or anywhere around the Bay Area, here are a few quick tips:

Choose how you want to look back at your high school graduation!

If it is whimsical, timeless, and/or elegant, Filoli is the place!

• Book in advance: Filoli can get busy, especially during peak bloom seasons. Tickets are required and during busy seasons, they do sell out so you are not guaranteed a spot if you show up on any given day.

• Early hour or right before close is your friend: Filoli oftentimes is not open at sunset, nor sunrise, so I always recommend to people wanting to book a session there that we choose the first time they are open or the last. Not only does this provide the softest lighting, but it will also be the least busy which is incredibly important for snagging photos at prime spots like in front of the main entrance, in the gardens, or back around the house.

• Bring outfit variety: Like Colette, mix statement pieces with classic looks for the best results. Having at least one dress and one pair of pants will also open up a larger range of poses to give more depth to the final gallery.

• Trust the process: The most beautiful shots often come from unposed, candid moments. Something very important to me in my sessions with seniors (and really anyone that books with me) is that I want you to have fun, not just so you have a positive experience and enjoy it, but also because it will show in the photos.

Ready to Plan Your Own Filoli Photo Session?

Whether you're drawn to the manicured gardens, the golden light, or the elegant architecture, Filoli in Woodside is the perfect backdrop to celebrate your senior year in style. If you’re dreaming of senior portraits that feel fresh, personal, and totally you—I’d love to help make that happen. I also love photographing couples at Filoli - if you want to see a session I did for a couple’s engagement photos, check out that blog here.

Let’s create something beautiful!!! Inquire with me here!