Photos and Friends to Last a Lifetime

Senior photography teams are on the rise and Utah based photographers are jumping at the chance to make seniors have experiences they will never forget

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Chelsea Peterson

The CBP team went on a retreat in June of 2020 to Saint George and was able to catch beautiful pictures with the backdrop of the red-rocks

Point, Smile, and Shoot. In Utah, there is a huge pool of people who find their passion in taking pictures of the great moments in people’s lives. Whether that be wedding photography or fun best friend shoots, there is probably a photographer somewhere that would love to catch those special moments. A super special moment that usually gets photographed is when someone is a senior in high school or college. Along with senior photography, the idea of a Senior Photography team has become big in Utah in the last few years.

Chelsea Peterson having fun holding the camera that she takes all of her amazing pictures on

Chelsea Peterson (@cbpphotography) is one of the photographers who has made a name for themselves taking Senior Pictures.

“I started my business back in 2010,” Peterson explained, “I started off doing weddings but in 2015 I switched to doing mainly seniors.” Peterson finished.“I took many senior pictures until the idea of the senior photography team came to mind” Peterson said “I remember what it is like being in high school, never good enough, pretty enough, talented enough. I wanted to start this opportunity so that I could help girls see themselves the way others do. So in 2016, I decided to start a senior influencer team.” Peterson finished. Since then she has had many amazing opportunities to meet amazing girls and create experiences that are unlike anything else. There is always a new team when a new graduation year comes around and each new year brings a new set of girls with different and fun personalities.

I remember what it is like being in high school, never good enough, pretty enough, talented enough. I wanted to start this opportunity so that I could help girls see themselves the way others do.

— Chelsea Peterson

Sienna Martinez-Huff showing her beautiful smile while a flower holds her hair back

“I was so excited to join the team this year,” Senior Sienna Martinez-Huff explained “Throughout the difficulty of 2020, being able to shoot with Chelsea has really made for a breath of fresh air” Huff finished. Shooting on these teams with Chelsea is nothing less than perfect. Peterson always knows how to go the extra mile all of the shoots with the girls and for their senior pictures in general. Chelsea has learned to always have everything put together and ready so the girls on the team can just show up and be their best selves. This amazing experience doesn’t only include the girls on her team. She also shoots many other seniors, boys and girls included, who aren’t a part of the team and gives them the same amazing experience that the girls on the team have during their senior pictures.

Back in March of 2020, the first introductory shoot happened for the 2021 team. At this shoot, the girls were able to meet one another and it was really amazing how they all hit it off right off the bat. Since then, the girls have been able to get together many more times for shoots like a St. George retreat, pumpkin patch, and Christmas shoots. Getting to see the other girls during the shoots makes for an amazing atmosphere and Peterson is so amazing at capturing all the girls together having so much fun. The girls on the team have also had a chance to make new friends and maybe become lifelong friends as well.

“Having my Senior pictures taken with Chelsea was something I am very grateful for.” Huff said “She made it really personal and knew what would be good for my personality and look” Huff finished. Not only do you get to meet new people on the senior photography team you also get to have an amazing experience taking your own senior pictures. Each look and experience is special to you and what you are like. Before even going and taking pictures you have a meeting with her to pick out your outfits, hair, and makeup looks for your session. You get your makeup professionally done by Kali Chris, a Utah based makeup artist that has worked with Chelsea and the senior team since the beginning. From the clothes to the makeup, you as the senior don’t have to worry about anything except showing up and giving your best smile.

The idea of the Senior team is not exclusive to Chelsea Peterson. There are many more photographers based in Utah who also have formed their own team. It is a really good thing for there to be more than one opportunity to be part of a team like this. Many photographers give chances to Senior girls to be able to meet other girls and just have some amazing shoots. All the photographers have a unique way of taking pictures and editing them so when there are multiple teams with different looks then it gives a lot of variety to the girls hoping to be on a photography team

Anna Filidore giving her best smile in front of ballon 2021 letters showing off her graduation year

“For the last year I have been a part of the Heights senior photography team,” Senior Anna Filidore said “He is able to take and produce amazing pictures that really capture my look and personality”,  Filidore Finished. Being able to participate in a team like this one makes people’s senior years just that much more memorable. There is so much to worry about when you are a senior and when you have something like a photography team to participate in, it’s like nothing else. 

“I have been able to do so many shoots that have made me feel so beautiful,” said Filidore, “Getting to work with my photographer is just so amazing because I don’t have to worry about anything but smiling” finished Filidore. Let’s not confuse these teams for “model” teams, they are more used for the photographer to not only involve seniors in some fun experience but to also have a group of people posting and repping the brand they are making for themselves. Being a small business is so hard already, so when you have a set group of people showing off your work it is really an amazing way to spread the word about your business. It is also a great way to meet many different types of personalities and learn things you may not have known.    

Alone with the glow of the sparklers, Carlie Davis is showing the beautiful sparkle of her own smile

“For my senior year I had such an amazing time getting to be part of the Heights photography team,” Senior Carlie Davis said “I

have been able to work with Heights for a while, and being on the team has shown me how much hard work is being put into these amazing pictures” Davis finished. Having a senior team is not an easy task to undertake. The amount of prep that goes into each shoot can be hard to handle at times. You have to scout a location, get all the equipment, maybe decorate some props and just hope that nothing goes wrong. Just in the past month during the Christmas holiday, Chelsea Peterson wrapped over 50 fake presents and that was only for half of her team. The day before she had the other half play in fake snow and with that tried to capture a perfect picture without having too much snow and too little snow. There is also the task of editing all the pictures after the shoots which can take weeks. 

“When I look back to what has happened over my senior year being on a senior team is one of the highlights.” Davis explained “I was so scared how everything was going to turn out due to the circumstances, and having those photoshoots really created a light in such dark times” Davis Finished. Seniors in the Class of 2021 have really seen a new way of life. Hanging out with friends and going to sports games is not the same experience as what was once there. It was really important to ensure not only a safe environment but also a break from the outside world. Being able to see other people who are experiencing the same thing as you and getting to talk about it and have fun at the same time is just so amazing.

For the girls on the 2021 senior photography teams around the state of Utah, it is a big understatement to say that it is so worth it. When the pandemic started to shift the lives of everyone in the world, there was a question if having a team would be worth it to do. Now that the time has come for the 2021 girls to pass the baton to the 2022 girls, all they have to say is that these teams are like nothing else. As the team continues, just remember to be yourself and give the best smile you got.