DESTINATION SESSIONS
DESTINATION SENIOR & FAMILY
PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER
Destination Portrait Sessions
that are Unforgettable
Some portraits deserve more than a familiar backdrop.
Destination portrait sessions are designed for clients who want something distinct — architecturally striking, geographically meaningful, or visually uncommon.
While based in Austin, I photograph destination senior, teen and family sessions across the United States.
These experiences are planned with precision and executed with intention.
This is not “traveling for fun.”
This is curated portraiture beyond the expected.
Why Choose a Destination Session
For seniors and teens, a destination session creates something entirely different from a traditional local portrait.
It may reflect:
• A future college city
• A place of personal meaning
• A dramatic landscape aesthetic
• A modern architectural environment
• A refined urban setting
For families, destination sessions often mark milestones — anniversaries, legacy travel, multi-generational gatherings, or seasonal traditions.
When location becomes part of the story, the portraits deepen.
The Destination Portrait Experience
1. Strategic Planning & Logistics
Destination sessions require far more coordination than local portraits.
Travel timing, lighting windows, permit considerations, wardrobe packing, and contingency planning are all handled intentionally. I assist in planning timelines to ensure we maximize light and minimize stress.
Experience matters here.
A destination session should feel seamless — even when logistics are complex.
2. Location Scouting & Vision Alignment
Some destinations are pre-scouted. Others are researched in advance through detailed planning conversations and site analysis.
The goal is not simply to travel — it’s to create imagery that could not exist anywhere else.
Every location is selected for visual strength, light quality, and cohesion with wardrobe and personality.
3. Execution & Artwork
Sessions are structured efficiently to make the most of travel time and environmental conditions.
Following the session, images are professionally curated and presented through a guided reveal and ordering process. Final selections are crafted into albums and wall artwork designed to reflect both the portrait and the location’s impact.
Destination portraits are meant to feel significant.
Because they are.
Destination Senior & Teen Portraits
For seniors and teens, destination sessions often become defining images of the entire year.
Whether modern city architecture, coastal landscapes, desert terrain, or mountain backdrops — these sessions create visual distinction that stands apart from traditional local photography.
They are bold without being theatrical. Elevated without being excessive.
Destination Family Portraits
Families traveling together often recognize that location amplifies memory.
Destination family sessions are structured to balance efficiency with artistry — ensuring portraits feel refined without overtaking the experience of travel itself.
The result is heirloom artwork connected not only to people — but to place.
Destination Session FAQ's
Q. How far in advance should we book a destination session?
A. Destination sessions require significantly more coordination than local portraits. Travel planning, location research, and scheduling around optimal light all factor into the timeline.
Booking 3-6 months in advance is strongly recommended to ensure availability and proper planning.
Q. Do you help with location planning and logistics?
A. Yes. Destination sessions include strategic planning conversations covering location selection, timing, wardrobe coordination, travel considerations, and environmental factors.
The goal is to make the experience feel seamless — even when the logistics are complex.
Q. Are travel expenses included in the session fee?
Destination sessions include a custom quote based on location and travel requirements.
Travel costs such as airfare, lodging, and ground transportation are discussed transparently during the planning process so expectations are clear from the beginning.
Q. Are destination sessions only for seniors?
A. While destination sessions are especially popular for senior portraits, they are also available for families marking meaningful milestones, raveling together or on vacation.
Each session is structured intentionally based on the type of portrait experience desired.
WHY WORK WITH RICHARD PARKER ON A
DESTINATION SESSION EXPERIENCE
Not all photographers are equipped to handle destination portrait sessions.
They require:
• Confident guidance
• Environmental adaptability
• Lighting versatility
• Logistical awareness
• Experience directing in unfamiliar terrain
Years of photographing seniors and families in varied environments have refined an approach that remains calm, controlled, and precise — regardless of location.
Destination sessions are not experimental.
They are executed with intention.
BEGIN PLANNING A DESTINATION SESSION
If you are considering a destination senior or family session, early planning is essential.
These experiences require coordination and thoughtful scheduling — and availability is limited due to travel logistics.
Inquire to begin planning your destination portrait experience.
KIND WORDS
RICHARD IS A TRUE ARTIST AND HIS PHOTOGRAPHY IS STUNNING. NOT ONLY IS THE END PRODUCT AMAZING, BUT HE'S SO MUCH FUN TO BE WITH. SHOOTING WITH HIM FEELS LIKE GOING ON AN ADVENTURE. HE PLANS EVERYTHING OUT SO WELL AND MAXIMIZES EVERY MOMENT.
WE HAVE SUCH GREAT MEMORIES OF THE DESTINATION SHOOTS WE HAVE DONE WITH HIM AND WE SAW PLACES THAT WE WOULD NEVER HAVE SEEN OTHERWISE. GREAT MEMORIES WERE MADE PLUS WE HAVE GORGEOUS PHOTOS TOO.
I CAN'T RECOMMEND HIM ENOUGH.
★★★★★
MICHELLE FORREST - LAS VEGAS, NEVADA