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  • The Best Spots at the Arboretum for Senior Portraits

    The Best Spots at the Arboretum for Senior Portraits

    If you’re looking for the perfect location for your senior photos in Madison, it’s hard to beat the UW Arboretum. From open grassy fields to shaded woodland trails, the Arboretum has a little bit of everything—making it one of our favorite places to photograph senior sessions.

    In this session with Claire, a Class of 2025 senior, we explored several areas within the Arboretum to create a mix of portraits that feel natural, timeless, and true to her personality. Whether you’re drawn to golden light, wild textures, or something a little more serene, the Arboretum has backdrops that work in every season.

    Why the Arboretum Works for Senior Photos

    • Variety in one place: Prairie grasses, woods, wildflowers, and walking paths—all within minutes of each other.
    • Natural light magic: The open spaces make it easy to catch golden hour just right.
    • Room to relax: Without the distractions of a busy park, seniors can ease into the session and feel more comfortable.

    Senior Session Highlights

    We started in the prairie area where the light was soft and golden. These spots are perfect for warm, glowy portraits that feel effortless.

    Madison West high school senior posing in golden prairie grass at the UW Arboretum during sunset
    Teen girl smiling in natural light with soft green background at UW Arboretum

    Then we moved to a more shaded, wooded area. The light here was filtered and soft, giving her portraits a quiet, moody feel that adds variety to the final gallery.

    Madison West High school senior smiling in golden hour light at the UW Arboretum prairie area
    Close-up senior portrait with timeless styling against nature backdrop
    Dramatic golden-hour senior portrait in wide natural field at UW Arboretum

    As part of every senior session, I shoot a roll of black-and-white film using a Leica rangefinder paired with the legendary 50mm Summicron lens. It creates a signature glow and tonal richness you just don’t get with digital.

    Elegant black and white senior portrait captured on film at the UW Arboretum, featuring a natural smile and soft bokeh glow through a Leica Summicron lens
    Softly lit senior portrait framed by tree branches at the UW Arboretum photographed on black and white film.

    We ended near an open field where the sky opened up just enough to give us that final burst of warm light—perfect for a few relaxed shots to close out the session.

    Golden hour portrait with natural colors and light and a high school senior girl standing in an open field.

    Tips for Planning Your Arboretum Session

    • Golden hour is your best friend. We usually start the session 1–2 hours before sunset for the best lighting.
    • Comfortable shoes help! We may wander into a few grassy spots off the path.
    • Bring two outfits. One dressy and one casual works great with the Arboretum’s mix of natural scenes.

    Ready to book your own Arboretum session?

    If you’re a Class of 2026 senior (or the parent of one!), we’d love to create something just for you. You can learn more or get in touch through our contact page or by messaging us on Instagram @studioindigophoto.

    Let’s make something beautiful!