This September, I packed my camera gear and headed to Salt Lake City, Utah, for the Panic to Pro photography workshop with Kristin Jones. I was looking forward to several days of learning new techniques, experimenting with creative lighting, and photographing some incredible models. But I was especially excited about one particular location: the Bonneville Salt Flats. Photographing there had been on my bucket list for years, and I was finally getting the opportunity to make it happen!


One of my favorite looks from the trip was a gorgeous red flying dress. Watching that beautiful fabric move against the wide-open landscape was incredible, and I loved the images we created so much that I ended up purchasing a red flying dress for my own studio wardrobe! I'm already dreaming about the possibilities for my senior clients here in Southern California, but more on that later.


And here's what made the experience even more special: September 20 was my birthday! I spent the day photographing at the Bonneville Salt Flats, a location I'd dreamed of shooting at for years. To top it all off, the photographers and models surprised me by singing Happy Birthday! It was such a sweet moment, and I couldn't have imagined a better way to celebrate than doing something I love in such an incredible place.

Woman in a white satin slip dress and flowing peach tulle cape stands on a salt flat at sunset under a dramatic cloudy sky.
Woman in a sparkling sequined halter top and light blue skirt stands on a cracked salt flat under a bright sun and blue sky.

Why I believe education matters.

After more than 15 years in the photography business, one thing I know for certain is that there's always something new to learn. Photography is constantly evolving, from lighting techniques and editing styles to fashion trends and the creative direction of senior portraits. I never want to become so comfortable doing things one way that I stop challenging myself to grow.


As a high school senior photographer, I think it's especially important to stay inspired and connected to what today's seniors love. Some want a timeless, natural look, while others are drawn to something bold, fashionable, or completely unexpected. I love being able to offer that variety and create an experience that reflects each senior's individual personality.


Workshops like Panic to Pro give me the opportunity to step outside my everyday routine, learn alongside talented photographers, and push myself creatively. One of the unexpected gifts of continuing education is the friendships and connections made along the way. There's something special about spending time with other creatives who understand your passion and encourage you to keep growing.


Continuing education is an investment I make in my business, but ultimately it's an investment in my clients and the experience I can provide for them.

Two smiling women in sunglasses take a selfie in front of the Welcome to the Bonneville Salt Flats sign in Utah.
Group of photographers and models posing on a salt flat at twilight, with two women in flowing red and gold gowns under a dark blue sky.
Two smiling women pose on a cracked white salt flat under a bright blue sky, one holding a camera and the other in a flowing sparkly dress.

The Salt Flats were everything I had hoped they would be. The wide-open landscape, beautiful light, and seemingly endless horizon created the most incredible setting for portraits. With four different models and a variety of wardrobe styles, we had the opportunity to create images that were dramatically different from one another, even while photographing in the same location.


One of my favorite things about senior photography is how much an outfit, a little movement, or a change in lighting can transform an image. Flowing dresses brought beautiful movement and drama to the landscape, while other outfits created completely different looks, from soft and romantic to bold and editorial.


It was so much fun to experiment, push my creativity, and watch each look come to life against that amazing Utah backdrop. Having dreamed about photographing at the Salt Flats for years, the experience certainly didn't disappoint!

A Dramatic Red Flying Dress With Endless Possibilities


One of my favorite looks from the workshop was a stunning red flying dress. Watching the beautiful fabric flow against the wide-open landscape of the Utah Salt Flats was incredible! The movement, vibrant color, and dramatic setting came together to create images that looked like they belonged in a fashion magazine.


I was so inspired by the possibilities that I decided to purchase a red flying dress for my own studio wardrobe! I'm always looking for unique pieces that allow my seniors to express their personalities and create something truly extraordinary.


Now my senior clients have the opportunity to incorporate this gorgeous dress into their own custom portrait experience. Imagine that beautiful red fabric flowing in the ocean breeze, catching the golden light of a Southern California sunset, or creating a dramatic statement against one of our incredible local landscapes.


You don't have to travel to Utah or be a professional model to create images like these. With the right styling, location, lighting, and a little creative direction, we can make something absolutely unforgettable right here in San Diego County. I cannot wait to photograph my first senior wearing it!

Woman with long auburn hair in a black top raises her hand under sheer white fabric on a bright salt flat.

Vintage signs to Red Rocks

Although the Salt Flats were a highlight, our Utah adventure didn't stop there. We also photographed at a vintage sign museum and among the beautiful red rock landscapes, giving us the opportunity to work with completely different backgrounds, lighting conditions, and styles.


One of our stops was a collection of vintage signs that felt like stepping back in time. Between the colorful old gas station signs, retro details, and even a vintage airplane, there were so many fun opportunities to create portraits with personality.


I love how a location can help tell a story. The vintage signs offered a fun, colorful setting, while the natural textures and warm tones of the red rocks created a completely different feeling. Sometimes finding the perfect perspective even meant getting down in the gravel!


Working with different models, outfits, and environments was a great reminder of why I love creating custom senior sessions. Every senior is different, and their portraits should be too. Choosing the right location, wardrobe, lighting, and overall style is part of what makes each experience unique.

Young woman in a striped long-sleeve top, denim jeans and red headband leans on a vintage pink car outside a retro diner.
Young man in a black cowboy hat, gray shirt and dark vest sits on a large red sandstone rock formation in a desert canyon.
Smiling woman with long dark hair in a white blouse lies on a paved road, talking on a phone with rocky hills behind her.

Getting creative

We also spent time in the studio exploring different lighting techniques, including colored gels, filters, and more dramatic lighting setups. Studio lighting is something I have always enjoyed, and I love discovering new ways to use it creatively.


One of the most exciting parts of the workshop was seeing how creative lighting, unexpected materials, and a little imagination could transform an ordinary studio space into something completely extraordinary.


Lighting can completely change the mood of an image. It can be soft and flattering, dramatic and powerful, or colorful and unexpected. Having the ability to create these different looks gives me so many more options when designing portraits for my seniors.


With my own photography studio in Carlsbad, I'm excited to continue incorporating new ideas and techniques into my sessions. Whether we're creating beautiful, classic portraits or something with a more editorial feel, I want my clients to have options that go beyond the ordinary.

Moody portrait of a person with dark curly hair in profile, with a blurred double-exposure effect against a deep red curtain backdrop.
Woman with dark lips and dramatic makeup peers through wispy feathers in moody, vivid blue lighting.
Woman with long dark hair poses against a purple backdrop in a sequined crop top and black leather skirt, one arm raised overhead.

Bringing a Little Utah Inspiration Home to Carlsbad

As much as I loved the beautiful Utah locations, what I brought home was even more valuable than the images themselves. I returned with fresh inspiration, new techniques, creative ideas, and a renewed excitement for all the possibilities ahead.


One of my favorite parts of being a senior photographer is working with each senior to dream up an experience that feels like them. Maybe that's a beautiful beach at sunset, a field of flowers, an urban setting with personality, or something completely unexpected. Every senior has their own style, and I love creating portraits that reflect who they are.


And remember that gorgeous red flying dress I mentioned earlier? It's now part of my studio wardrobe, and I cannot wait to photograph one of my own seniors wearing it! Imagine that beautiful fabric flowing in the ocean breeze, against a dramatic sunset, or in another incredible Southern California location. The possibilities are endless, and we don't have to travel all the way to Utah to create something extraordinary.


I also want my seniors to know that they don't have to be professional models to create images like these. With thoughtful planning, wardrobe styling, creative lighting, and a little direction, we can create something truly special together.


My goal has always been about more than taking beautiful pictures. I want every senior who steps in front of my camera to feel confident, celebrated, and reminded that they are worthy, loved, and beautiful.

Woman in a flowing red gown and high heels stands on a salt flat at sunset, with dramatic clouds over the water behind her.

If you're a high school senior in Carlsbad, North County San Diego, or the surrounding areas, I'd love to help you create portraits that are uniquely yours. Whether you're dreaming of something dramatic like the red flying dress, creative studio portraits, or beautiful natural images, we'll design an experience around your personality and style.


Your senior year only happens once. Let's make it unforgettable!


Melanie Robertson Photography | Custom High School Senior Photography in Carlsbad and North County San Diego

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