Gabi’s Senior Portraits at Maymont Park and the Virginia Capitol in Richmond
- Jul 6
- 6 min read
Gabi’s senior portrait session in Richmond was such a sweet one for me to photograph.
Not only because she looked beautiful in every single photo, but because this was not my first time photographing her and her family.
I photographed Gabi’s Sweet 16 birthday party a few years ago, and getting to be her Richmond senior photographer felt so special. It is one of my favorite parts of this job — being invited back into a family’s life for another milestone, another season, another version of the same person I once photographed in a completely different chapter.
And now here she is.
Graduating.
Celebrating everything she has worked for.
And getting ready to start college at VCU.
I mean…
How sweet is that?
Richmond Senior Portraits That Felt Like Gabi
Gabi has always loved drama classes, and I feel like that showed in the best way during her session. She was so easy to photograph because she was willing to try things, move around, follow my ideas, and just let herself shine.
And that is what I loved most about photographing her.
She was not trying to be someone else in front of the camera. She was sweet, joyful, confident, and so open to the whole experience. She trusted me with the posing, trusted the locations, and went along with my ideas so naturally.
That makes such a difference in senior portraits.
Because yes, of course we want pretty photos.
But more than that, I want the photos to feel like you.
Maymont Park Senior Photos in Richmond, Virginia
We started Gabi’s senior portrait session at Maymont Park in Richmond, Virginia, and it was the perfect location for her soft, feminine garden portraits.
Maymont is always one of my favorite places for senior photos because it gives so much variety. You have gardens, flowers, greenery, stone paths, beautiful light, and all these little corners that feel peaceful and timeless. For Gabi’s session, the hydrangeas and summer greenery were so pretty with her white and blue floral dress.
Everything felt soft.
Sweet.
Natural.
And so perfect for this season of her life.
That is one of the reasons I help my seniors choose locations before their session. The location sets the tone for the whole gallery. Some seniors want gardens and flowers. Some want city portraits. Some want something more editorial. Some want a mix of both.
For Gabi, Maymont gave us that beautiful garden feeling, and it fit her so well.
VCU Senior Photos at the Virginia Capitol
After Maymont, we went to the Virginia Capitol for the second part of Gabi’s senior session.
And this part felt extra special because Gabi is heading to VCU.
The Virginia Capitol gave us that classic Richmond look, with the white steps, clean architecture, downtown feeling, and so much open space for graduation photos. It was the perfect place to include her red cap and gown, her graduation medals, and her VCU pennant.
I love when seniors bring meaningful details to their session because it makes the photos feel more personal.
For Gabi, this was not just about taking pretty portraits.
It was about celebrating where she has been and where she is going.
The garden photos at Maymont felt like a soft celebration of who she is right now, and the Virginia Capitol photos felt like a bold little reminder that a new chapter is beginning.
And I loved that her gallery had both.
Why Senior Portraits Should Feel Personal
Senior portraits are such a special kind of session because they hold so much in one little season.
They are for the senior, of course.
But they are also for the parents who still remember the little girl version of you.
The birthdays.
The school years.
The classes.
The activities.
The milestones.
And then somehow, here you are, wearing a cap and gown and getting ready for college.
It goes fast.
And that is why I think senior photos matter so much.
They freeze this little moment before everything changes again.
For Gabi, this session celebrated her graduation, her love for drama, her accomplishments, and her next chapter at VCU. And because I had already photographed her Sweet 16, it felt even more meaningful to be there again for this milestone.
Senior Session Prep, Style Guide, and Location Guide
One thing I want every senior to know is that you do not have to figure everything out alone.
Before a senior portrait session, I help my seniors prepare with a style guide and a location guide so the session feels easier from the beginning. The style guide helps with outfit ideas, colors that photograph well, what to avoid, and how to create variety in the final gallery. The location guide helps us choose the best place based on your personality, your outfits, and the feeling you want for your photos.
For Gabi, Maymont Park and the Virginia Capitol were the perfect combination.
Maymont gave us flowers, greenery, and soft garden portraits.
The Virginia Capitol gave us graduation, VCU, and a classic Richmond senior portrait look.
Together, the two locations told the story of this season so beautifully.
Senior Portraits With Posing Help From Beginning to End
Gabi was amazing to photograph because she trusted the process.
And that is exactly what I want for my seniors.
You do not need to know how to pose before your session. You do not need to practice in the mirror or worry about what to do with your hands the entire time. I guide you through everything.
Where to stand.
Where to look.
When to walk.
When to laugh.
What to do with your hands.
How to move naturally.
How to feel comfortable.
Gabi went along with my ideas so well, and because of that, her photos felt easy and full of life. She was just shining through the lens the whole time.
And that is always the goal.
Not stiff photos.
Not awkward photos.
Not photos that feel like they could belong to anyone.
Photos that feel like you.
Gabi’s Next Chapter at VCU
Gabi, thank you so much for trusting me again.
From your Sweet 16 to your senior portraits, it has been such a joy to photograph you and your family through different seasons. You are sweet, beautiful, talented, and so full of light.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I take senior portraits in Richmond, Virginia?
Richmond has so many beautiful locations for senior portraits, including Maymont Park, the Virginia Capitol, VMFA, Libby Hill, downtown Richmond, and VCU-inspired locations. For Gabi’s senior session, we used Maymont Park for soft garden portraits and the Virginia Capitol for graduation photos with her cap and gown, medals, and VCU pennant.
Is Maymont Park a good location for senior photos?
Yes. Maymont Park is one of my favorite locations for senior portraits in Richmond because it has gardens, flowers, greenery, stone paths, and a timeless natural feel. It is especially beautiful for seniors who want soft, feminine, classic portraits.
Can I take senior photos at the Virginia Capitol?
Yes. The Virginia Capitol is a beautiful location for Richmond senior portraits, especially if you want a classic city look, white steps, clean architecture, and graduation photos. For Gabi’s session, the Virginia Capitol was perfect for her red cap and gown, medals, and VCU pennant.
Do you help seniors choose outfits and locations?
Yes. I send my seniors a style guide and location guide before their session. The style guide helps with outfits, colors, and variety, and the location guide helps us choose a place that matches your personality and the feeling you want for your photos.
Do you help with posing during senior portraits?
Yes. I guide my seniors through posing the entire time. You do not need to know what to do in front of the camera. I help with movement, hands, walking, sitting, smiling, and little adjustments so the photos feel natural and flattering.
Do you photograph senior portraits in Richmond and surrounding areas?
Yes. Munhoz Photography offers senior portrait sessions in Richmond, Midlothian, Powhatan, and surrounding Virginia areas. Sessions can include garden portraits, city portraits, cap and gown photos, future college details, and personal touches that make the gallery feel like you.
If you're in the early stages of planning, you may also find these helpful:
Download my welcome guide for tips and what to expect:
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