Philadelphia Senior Session, South Street | Lyla – Class of 2026

February 3, 2026

Color, creativity, and personality are three words many would use to describe iconic South Street in Philadelphia. They also happen to be the exact words I’d use to describe Lyla, one of my latest (and greatest) Philadelphia senior session clients.

As a photographer, I love when seniors want their photos to reflect not just who they are, but where they are. The city that inspires them. The places they walk, learn, play, and grow. Philly is quirky, colorful, a little gritty, and full of character. And when seniors want to incorporate this city into their photoshoots, I’m all for it.

From the moment Lyla reached out, she was sure about one thing: her senior photos needed to match her energy. No stiff, traditional poses or standard golden-hour locations. She wanted fun and vibrant. She had me hooked immediately.

A female high school senior in a long pink sundress and long red hair with blunt bangs smiles at the camera with her head tilted back while sitting on the colorful mosaic steps inside the Philadelphia Magic Gardens.
High school senior portrait of Lyla standing among rows of vinyl records inside a music store
Black and white senior portrait of Lyla holding a graphic t-shirt that reads "Philadelphia, where the weak are killed and eaten" inside a record shop in Philadelphia
A Philadelphia senior session with a girl with red hair twirling her pink and white dress in front of a vibrant mosaic wall at The Magic Gardens.

A Philadelphia Senior Session That Fit Like a Glove

A senior at The Baldwin School, and a proud member of the Class of 2026, Lyla is deeply drawn to photography, theater, music, and dance. That creative energy, along with her outgoing personality, made it easy for us to brainstorm ideas off one another, resulting in a gallery that felt very genuine to who she is in this particular stage of life.

Layla had her heart set on a session at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, a South Street mosaic art environment created by legendary local artist Isiah Zagar. This mosaic masterpiece is now a renowned indoor/outdoor Philadelphia museum filled with color, texture, and creativity.

Side profile portrait of a high school student with red hair and bangs and a pink and white dress standing among textured mosaic walls and colorful tiles during a Philadelphia senior session.
Urban senior portrait of a girl in a pink an white dress and long red hair with bangs standing between colorful mosaic walls with her arms outstretched and touching both walls.
Playful senior portrait of Lyla laughing against colorful mosaic walls
High school senior portrait of Lyla in a colorful South Street setting
Senior portrait of Lyla with her head tilted back and a soft expression against a colorful background. The sunlight is lighting the top of her red hair.
Full-body senior portrait of Lyla twirling her pink and white dress surrounded by mosaic art and greenery.
Portrait of Lyla smiling while leaning against a textured mosaic wall during a Philadelphia senior session.

I’ve been wanting to visit The Magic Gardens for the 17 years I’ve lived in Philly. But with my busy schedule, I just never found the time. When Layla suggested the location, I was so excited, not only to photograph her there, but also to explore it in person. The museum was kind enough to allow us access to their space in the morning and we took full advantage of it. Layla giggled as I marveled over all the intricate details, and was so happy that I loved it as much as she did. Between the vibrant mosaics, winding paths, and layers of detail, it was the perfect backdrop. We were like two kids in a candy store playing with light and color.

Senior portrait of a student looking upward while standing between mosaic walls decorated with bottles, tiles, and hanging art. There is a sunburst lighting the top of the mosaic art.
High school senior smiling while seated on a woven chair, surrounded by vibrant mosaic artwork and tile faces.
Layla, a high school senior with red hair with bangs wearing a white dress with pink flowers, is sitting on a colorful woven chair surrounded by mosaic artwork at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. Her hands are together over her knees as she softly stares at the camera and with her head tilted.
Full-body senior portrait of Lyla, wearing a white sundress with pink flowers and high heels, standing inside a colorful mosaic archway at the Magic Gardens
Senior portrait with warm backlight showing a student standing among mosaic walls and hanging glass artwork.
Black and white close-up senior portrait of Lyla laughing.
Senior portrait of Lyla looking at the camera with a soft expression against a colorful background. The sunlight is lighting the top of her red hair.
Black and white senior portrait of Lyla laughing with her hands lifted against a textured mosaic wall
Layla, a high school senior with red hair with bangs wearing a white dress with pink flowers, is sitting on a colorful woven chair surrounded by mosaic artwork at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. Her hands are together over her knees as she softly stares at the camera and with her head tilted.
Senior portrait of Lyla looking upward and holding the bottom of her pink and white sundress out to the side while standing among detailed mosaic walls and artwork.
Senior portrait of Lyla twirling her dress in front of a vibrant mosaic wall. Her red hair is flowing behind her as she twirls.

The Details That Made This Session Personal

Lyla brought along a few meaningful pieces that added even more personality to her session: her digital camera she named Fuchsia, (O.K., why doesn’t my camera have a name yet?), and her childhood stuffed animal, Spunky. Including those small, personal details are what turn senior photos into something truly special. They give you a glimpse of the backstory and allow the photos to record a piece of the past, present and future.

Creative senior portrait of Lyla holding a digital camera up to her face against a colorful mosaic background.
Black and white senior portrait of Lyla smiling while holding her camera in front of a mosaic wall.
Portrait of Lyla smiling while holding her camera against a colorful mosaic wall during her Philadelphia Senior Session.
Full-length senior portrait of Lyla holding her camera while standing among vibrant mosaic artwork at Philadelphia Magic Gardens.
Senior portrait of Lyla extending her childhood stuffed animal toward the camera with mosaic artwork behind her.
Senior portrait of Lyla laughing while holding her childhood stuffed animal against a mosaic backdrop at The Magic Gardens in Philadelphia.
Full-body senior portrait of Lyla standing in front of a colorful mosaic wall at the Magic Gardens. Lyla is kicking one leg out while wearing a white sundress with pink flowers and holding a childhood stuffed animal in one hand while the other hand plays with her hair.
Black and white close-up portrait of Lyla looking directly at the camera with a calm expression.

From The Magic Gardens, I suggested we make our way down South Street to Repo Records, an iconic local record store that’s been around for almost 40 years. I personally love browsing music stores and am always up to adding to my collection. I was happy to see Lyla was as excited about it as I was.

The staff there was incredibly welcoming and allowed us take some photos inside the shop. Lyla loves good music as much as I do, so watching her happily flip through albums, squeal with delight when she would find a favorite artist, and explore the creative space felt completely natural. She beamed the entire time we were there. Those in-between moments, when seniors begin to relax, put their trust in me, and truly have fun, are always when I capture my favorite shots.

Philadelphia senior photo of Lyla browsing through vinyl records inside a South Street record store.
Close-up senior portrait of Lyla inside Repo Records with album covers softly blurred behind her. Lyla's strawberry blond hair with bangs surrounds her face as she stares to the side.
High school senior holding a vinyl record while standing inside Repo Records in Philadelphia.
Creative senior portrait captured through a curved mirror reflection inside a record store.
Close-up senior portrait of Lyla holding and looking down at a vinyl record while standing inside a record store.
Wide senior portrait of Lyla standing inside a Philadelphia record store lined with vinyl albums.
High school senior leaning against record bins inside Repo Records in Philly, surrounded by colorful album covers.
Black and white senior portrait of Lyla posing inside a record store with vinyl albums in the background with a prism effect over her.
Artistic senior portrait of Lyla inside a record store with colorful reflections and layered light shot through a prism.
Senior portrait of Lyla flipping through vinyl records inside a South Street record store.
Wide portrait of Lyla browsing vinyl records inside Repo Records on South Street during her Philadelphia senior session.
Creative senior portrait of Lyla holding a vinyl record called "Coastal Grooves" partially in front of her face.
Senior portrait of Lyla with a playful expression holding a bright green vinyl record with the word "Brat" on it inside a record store in Philadelphia.
Fun senior portrait of Lyla pointing at a green vinyl record with the word "Brat" on it, while standing in a Philadelphia record store.
Candid senior portrait of Lyla smiling and listening to music while wearing headphones at Repo Records in Philadelphia.
High school senior smiling while wearing headphones inside Repo Records in Philadelphia.

Why I Love Philadelphia Senior Sessions

Lyla reached out herself and knew exactly what she wanted from her senior photos, and that intention made all the difference. Senior sessions don’t have to look one specific way. They can be colorful, creative, and a little unconventional, while still marking a meaningful milestone.

Using Philadelphia as a backdrop adds another layer to that story. The city becomes part of who she is at this stage of life – an important chapter. And South Street, The Magic Gardens, and Repo Records were the perfect spots to document Lyla exactly as she is right now.

Side profile senior portrait of Lyla looking upward in front of detailed mosaic artwork.
Senior portrait of Lyla standing against a colorful mosaic wall on South Street in Philadelphia.
Senior portrait of Lyla interacting with mosaic artwork on South Street while a sunburst shines above her.
Black and white candid senior portrait of Lyla laughing while leaning against a textured wall.

Thinking About Planning a High School Senior Session?

If you’re starting to think about your Philadelphia senior portraits for the Class of 2026 or beyond, I’d love to work with you to create a session that feels relaxed, personal, and true to you!

You can learn more about my senior photography experience by reaching out here. I’d love to work with you to plan the perfect session that will document not only this special year, but also exactly who you are at this stage in your life.

A high school senior in a long pink and white dress with red hair sits on the steps inside of Philadelphias Magic Garden surrounded by mosaic art.

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