Cap, Gown, and a Very Good Dog: Avery's CSUN Graduation Photos

Graduation photos are one of my favorite sessions to shoot. Add a rescue sheepdog mix service dog who's super fun and really well trained, and suddenly you've got something even more special!

Avery reached out about doing her CSUN senior portraits with her dog Pepper (okay, actually her mom made her do it) and honestly, this is my favorite call to get. We hit a few different spots — some architecture, the orchard paths, golden hour light doing its thing, and then the rose garden which was almost unfairly perfect for a fluffy gray-and-white dog.

The Cal State Northridge orange grove is one of those hidden gems most people don't even know exists on campus. The light filters through the canopy in this warm dappled way, it smells amazing, and when golden hour hits those trees it goes full magic fast. Wide open paths, room for a very energetic sheepdog to do her thing, and photos that don't look like everyone else's. It's one of my favorite underrated Los Angeles photo locations.

Pepper's a rescue and she's been with Avery through all of it. Every late night, every hard stretch of the CSUN experience. They're a true team, and it shows.

If you're a graduating senior in Southern California and your dog is the real reason you made it through — give me a call. Seriously. Graduation photos with your dog are my favorite sessions and I will show up for your chaos gremlin the same way I showed up for Pepper. These sessions are relaxed, fun, and your dog absolutely does not need to be well-behaved.

Congrats Pepper! And, Avery 😉