Renata’s quinceañera pre-event session was all about nature, calm tones, and a forest-like setting that matched her vision perfectly. During the planning process, Renata shared that she wanted to be surrounded by tall trees, creating an almost forest-inspired look that would complement her light sage green dress. With that in mind, I suggested the UC Davis Arboretum, a location that is local for us and offers a wide variety of natural backdrops without the need for a long drive.

The UC Davis Arboretum turned out to be the perfect choice. This location is known for its tall trees, shaded pathways, and open areas that allow light to filter through in a beautiful way. From the moment we started the session, the scenery worked seamlessly with Renata’s dress color, creating a soft and cohesive look throughout the photos. Her sage green dress stood out naturally against the greenery while still blending beautifully with the environment.

One of the highlights of this session was the lighting. We were fortunate to have incredible sunlight that day, which allowed us to create more moody and dramatic images while still keeping everything natural. The way the light came through the trees added depth to the photos and helped create a timeless feel to the session. Renata was comfortable in front of the camera, which made it easy to capture both posed portraits and more relaxed moments as we walked through different areas of the arboretum.

A flowing mint green wedding dress laid out dramatically on a winding forest path surrounded by tall evergreen trees.
A bride in a flowing white wedding dress stands in a wooded forest setting during a photoshoot.
A quince dress flows elegantly in a woodsy outdoor setting as sunlight filters through the trees.
A sage green ballgown with tulle skirt sprawls across forest floor surrounded by towering redwood trees.
An elegant mint green ballgown cascades across forest floor amidst redwood trees and filtered afternoon light.
Flowing mint tulle gown creates dramatic silhouette against wooded forest setting during golden hour.
Mint green princess gown with intricate beading and sweetheart neckline captured in enchanted forest setting.
Beautiful bride in sage green gown poses elegantly in a serene redwood forest setting.
Dreamy forest photoshoot featuring a sage green ballgown dress in a woodland setting at dusk.
A stunning sage green ball gown with intricate details photographed in a misty forest setting.


Toward the end of the session, I decided to bring out the drone to capture a few top-down photos for a different perspective. This allowed us to show Renata surrounded by tall trees from above. These shots really highlighted the forest-like atmosphere she originally envisioned and added a unique element to her gallery.

Renata’s pre-event session at the UC Davis Arboretum was a great example of how choosing the right location can bring a vision to life. The combination of nature, thoughtful planning, and beautiful light made this session a success. We’re excited to share these images and hope you enjoy the photos as much as we enjoyed creating them.