Authentic Senior Photography Pittsburgh: Class of 2025 Highlights

This past year has been an incredible whirlwind! As a photographer specializing in unique senior photography in and around Pittsburgh and the parent of a senior myself, I’ve had the unique perspective of experiencing this bittersweet chapter from both sides of the lens. Senior year is a time full of “lasts,” big decisions, and so much excitement for what’s ahead. For me, it’s also been about capturing those fleeting, once-in-a-lifetime moments that mean the world to families—moments that only grow more valuable with time. In this blog post, I’m sharing a collection of images from this unforgettable year.

If you want to see even more sneak peeks, head over to the “Class of 2025” highlight on my senior Instagram page!

The Year in Numbers

This senior photography season has been my busiest yet! I’ve met so many incredible seniors and families, each with their own unique style and story. Here’s a little peek behind the scenes of what this year looked like:

• 45 seniors photographed: This is a 150% growth from last year and a 462.5% increase from the year before—thank you all for trusting me to capture these milestones!
• Schools represented: Seniors came from eight different districts, including Mt. Lebanon, Armstrong, South Fayette, Upper Saint Clair, Canon Mac, Norwin, Pine Richland, and even Alter High in Dayton, Ohio.
• Most popular locations: Mellon Park and Hartwood Acres continue to be favorites, with their stunning greenery and timeless charm.
• New locations explored: This year, I branched out to places like the Carnegie Art Museum and the Pittsburgh Trolley, which added unique backdrops to some of my sessions.
• Most-purchased products: Albums and photo books were hands-down the most popular—perfect for preserving these memories for years to come.
• Most-photographed month: August! It’s always a go-to for seniors looking to capture that perfect late-summer glow.

Why Senior Photos Matter

If you’re a parent of a senior or a senior yourself, you probably already know how fast this year flies by. Between college applications, sports seasons, and endless to-do lists, it’s easy to treat senior photos as just another task to check off. But here’s the thing: photography isn’t just about “getting photos done.” It’s about capturing memories that reflect who you are at this moment—a snapshot of a once-in-a-lifetime milestone.

Your senior photos should be more than traditional yearbook poses. When you invest in authentic senior photography your images will be vibrant, artistic, and full of life. I tailor every session to reflect the unique personality, interests, and style of the senior in front of the camera. Whether we’re at a timeless favorite like Mellon Park or exploring something new, every session is a collaboration to create something personal and meaningful.

For seniors and families considering a session, I also recommend checking out my blog post: Top 10 Senior Photoshoot Locations in Pittsburgh. It’s packed with ideas to inspire your session and help you pick the perfect spot.

Looking Ahead to the Class of 2026

With my own son graduating and heading off to college, this summer is going to be full of family time, graduation parties, and all the “lasts” we can savor together. Because of that, I’ll be limiting the number of senior sessions I take on for the Class of 2026.

If you’re thinking about senior photos (or know someone who is), be sure to sign up for my newsletter so you’ll be the first to know when booking opens in February. I’ll share all the details then, but I expect spots to fill quickly!

Why Choose Me as Your Senior Photographer?

I know there are a lot of photographers out there, so let me tell you what sets me apart: I focus on creating an experience that’s relaxed, enjoyable, and true to you. No cookie-cutter sessions or forced poses here! I aim to make the process collaborative, from brainstorming outfit ideas to scouting locations that feel personal to you.

My goal isn’t just to take “pretty pictures.” It’s to provide you with authentic Senior Photography all around the city of Pittsburgh that reflect your story.

An Investment in Memories

Senior year is a milestone worth celebrating. Years from now, these photos will bring you back to this incredible time—your excitement, your hopes for the future, and the person you were in this moment. Photography is an investment in memories, and I’m here to help you preserve them.

To all the seniors and families I had the honor of photographing this year, thank you for trusting me with your stories. I’ve loved every session, and I’m so proud of the images we created together.

Here’s to the Class of 2025 and all the memories we made!

Senior year is a milestone worth celebrating. Years from now, these photos will bring you back to this incredible time. You’ll remember your excitement, your hopes for the future, and the person you were in this moment. Photography is an investment in memories. I’m here to help you preserve those memories for years to come.

To all the seniors and families I photographed this year, thank you. I’m so grateful you trusted me with your stories. Each session was unique, and I’m proud of the images we created together.

Here’s to the Class of 2025 and all the memories we made. I’m look forward to meeting the Class of 2026 soon!

Thanks for looking. xo,
Taryn

Real Words from Families About Their Senior Photography Experience

Choosing the right photographer for senior portraits can make all the difference in creating authentic senior photos that feel true to your teen’s personality. As a Pittsburgh senior photographer, nothing means more to me than hearing how these sessions have impacted the families I’ve worked with. Here are a few heartfelt reviews from parents of my senior clients this past year, sharing what their experience was like:

“When my daughter was a Junior I started keeping note of the senior pictures that were being shared that I really liked and pretty much every single one of them was from Taryn at Blu Hippo. I booked as soon as her calendar opened up for the following summer and am so glad I did. Taryn is incredibly personable and warm. She was able to get my daughter to pose in ways that I never would have thought of and she captured the light in such a beautiful way. Even better, she let us bring our dog and included her in the shoot. We highly recommend Blu Hippo!” – Kari R

“My daughter and I couldn’t be more thrilled with the photos taken by Taryn! Plus we had a great time at the photo session. It was a totally stress free experience because Taryn was so much fun to work with! I highly recommend her for senior pics. She has great ideas for locations and even pulled to the side of the road on the way to our shooting location because she spotted a unique photo op. Love her spontaneity! Definitely would “work” with her again!” -Michelle K