Bishop O'Dowd Grad Alexandra, has a 2012 Senior Status Portrait Session

Alexandra Dixon is a 2012 senior at Bishop O’Dowd High School.

Check Out Alexandra's 2012 Senior Portrait Video

 Alexandra is planning to attend college, and major in either nursing or sports journalism. She’s happy about being a 2012 senior, so that she can start preparing for the next chapter of her life. In her free time, she plays volleyball or does some kind of physical activity, she likes to color and spend time with her friends and family.

Classic cap and gown senior portrait 

 Alexandra would love to go visit Brazil and/or Australia some day in her life. The technology she can’t live without is her phone, it can do everything and she depends on it to do so.

Lexi is pretty in pink and glam

 Alexandra’s biggest pet peeve is hearing people chew, especially when she’s on the phone talking to them.

Alex with her Bishop O'Dowd volleyball gear

 Even just thinking about it makes her want to plug her ears, “Eww!” she said!  For Alexandra, senior year have been amazing so far. Alexandra’s favorite musical artist is Beyonce, she enjoys listening to all of her songs.

Alexandra posing  in natural light for Senior Pictures 

The best advice she have ever been given is “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift that’s why it’s called the present”. Alexandra’s goal this year is to try and make every person she interacts with a bit more positive and happy!      


Check out examples of our Senior Portraits from all over the East Bay on our website: Senior Portrait Gallery
Like our 2012 Senior Page on Facebook for tips on making Senior Year run smoothly

Positive Images Photography
548 Grand Ave
Oakland CA 94610

Submitted by: Jeffrey Koeng                                                                                                                                                    

Aaliyah's Traditional 2012 Senior Portrait Session: A Bay Area Classic!

Aaliyah has a special connection to Positive Images because she interned here while going to Metwest High School and she is a 2012 spokes model  Aaliyah attends Merrill F. West High School in Tracy, CA.

Aaliyah shines in her glamour boa senior portrait pose!

 After High School she is going straight to a four-year college to major in nursing. The best thing she would say about being a 2012 senior is all the special events that go on at school such as grad night, safe and sober night, prom, and graduation. Aaliyah considers herself half typical teenager and half atypical teenager.

During her free time she enjoys catching up on sleep and going to the mall with her friends. However really loves to read, dance, draw, and crochet. Someday she really hopes to visit Japan and Australia. She wants to visit Japan because she is really shy and interested in their arts and food, and Australia because of the beauty she will see there. Electronics the she can not live without would be her computer to keep in touch with friends and family, to read, to shop and for school work “Could you imagine writing all of your essays by hand? I don’t even want to think about that!” -Aaliyah.

Classic Cap & Gown Graduation Photo

Getting accepted into collage had been her favorite thing so far. She says receiving an acceptance from her dream college Penn State made her heart soar and she almost cried, she felt accomplished. Her favorite music is the Korean pop group 2NE1 and their song ugly.

Casual Senior Photo Pose in Studio

Some good advice she had received is you can only move as fast as who’s in front of you. Never let someone stop from pursuing the dream you want. Her pet peeve is rude people. Her number one goal is to graduate high school because she knows it will be a wonderful feeling.

Check out this video of highlights from her Graduation Portrait Session

Need Senior portraits? Phone (510)832-3686 to schedule your Consultation Design Appointment.
Our Online Portrait Gallery is open 24/7 if you would like to see more examples of our 2012 Senior Portrait work.
"Like" Us On Facebook for 1st notice of Portrait Specials

Submitted By: Aneesah Abdel
Intern MetWest High School

Holy Names 2012 Senior, Ariel has artistic plans for her future

After high school Ariel, a 2012 senior at Holy Names High School, wants to be a successful entrepreneur and own her own dance company.  For Ariel the best thing about being a 2012 senior is her grade matches the year she graduates.  She spends her free time hanging out with friends and having fun she also likes to dance draw and listen to music.

Ariel included her flute and violin in her graduation photographs

 One day Ariel wants to visit Paris or England because they seem totally different that California. She can’t live without her phone, Ipod, Wii, and her laptop.  Her favorite artist is Justin Bieber and her favorite song is “Someone Like You” by Adele.

One Lump or Two?

This was not  Ariel's first portrait session at Positive Images.  Her first photo shoot was when we were located in Bayfair Mall in San Leandro. Take a peek at this adorable portrait from the studio archives...a perfect tea party for a little princess! 

This family portrait was taken when Ariel graduated from middle school. At Positive Images, we love having clients for life! 

  The best advice she has been given was to say what you mean. Her biggest pet peeve is the sound of people rubbing their hands together because it sounds like ashy feet. 

 Her number one goal this year is to keep up good grades along with enjoying Senior Year.

Want to see more pictures from Ariel's photo session?

Then click that play button and watch that slideshow! 

Need Senior portraits? Phone (510)832-3686 to schedule your Consultation Design Appointment.
Our Online Portrait Gallery is open 24/7 if you would like to see more examples of our 2012 Senior Portrait work.
"Like" Us On Facebook for 1st notice of Portrait Specials

Submitted By: Aneesah Abdel
Intern MetWest High School

What is a Senior Portrait in the San Francisco Bay Area?

Ask the question: "What is a Senior Portrait" in different parts of country and you will get very different answers. As a matter of fact even within different parts of the state or the Bay Area the traditions vary greatly. I still remember the first time I took a Graduation Photography class from a professional photographer from the Mid West.  On the last day of class, (after watching him demonstrate the most exciting portraits I had ever seen of high school seniors) I raised my hand and asked: "When do you take the cap & gown portraits?"  His response: "Oh, we only do those on the day of the ceremony"  I told him that my moms would have a cow if I did not offer cap & gown photos.

Cap & Gown Senior portraits do not have to be traditional.

 In some families, the term Graduation Picture specifically refers to the student in a cap and gown. Through my 20+ year career, I have met many mothers who feel that the Senior Portrait package is not complete until there are some dead chicken feathers involved. They want to see their baby girls in the same color feather boa that they wore in high school.

A Feather Boa can add Glam to your Graduation Portrait Session

Other families have the classic black velvet drape or tuxedo on the list of must have clothing changes.  I also have students that come from prep schools that would NEVER consider posing in a cap and gown because the Senior Photos in their yearbooks are typically outdoors with natural light.

Senior pose in favorite jeans in Joaquin Miller Park

While traditional Senior Portrait customs work for some clients, many families prefer the portraits that showcase their graduates personal flair. At Positive Images, I have created many unique senior portraits that featured a student's favorite outfit, hobby, instrument, sport, pet or other passion.

Illustrate the activity you are passionate about

 I take great pride in the images that speak to a particular student's personality....the more specific the more fun!    To me, a Senior Portrait captures the spirit and story of a young person transitioning to adulthood. A cap and gown only tells a small part of that story. I truly enjoy creating unique images that reflect the individuality of my clients. 

A Senior Portrait can show school pride

So.....What is a Portrait? The great thing is if you select Positive Images as your graduation portrait studio, YOU get to define the answer to that question. Traditional, contemporary, studio, location, classic, trendy, or all of the above! The choice is all yours. Phone to schedule a free consultation appointment and we will help you determine what is right for you and your family. (510)832-3686.

Leave a comment below to tell me what defines a Senior Portrait for you.

You can also review more examples of creative graduation pictures on our On-line Gallery, www.positiveimages.biz.

Get lots of  Senior year tips by "Liking" our 2012 Senior Facebook Page    

Follow us on Twitter!

Gisele Bonds

Professional Portrait Photographer

Positive Images

548 Grand Ave

Oakland CA 94610

(510)832-3686

Put Your 2012 Senior Portraits on Interest Free Lay-A-Way

It's already January...where did the time go?  Your Senior year is whizzing by, one semester is already in the history books. So many decisions to make. College, trade school, military or job after high school? Who should you take to the prom? What is the perfect Senior Prank? Where is the best location for Spring Break? Sometimes the most challenging question is how to pay for all of these important Senior Year components.

Senior Cap & Gown combined with gymnastics

We recognize that many of our graduation photo families are looking for solutions to the challenge of meeting senior year expenses. Our no interest Lay-A-Way Program is an excellent tool that are clients are using. We can divide your  purchase into 4-6 installments scheduled at your preference. We like to be flexible so that our Senior Portrait client are able to budget for exactly the products that they love most.

Graduation Pictures can be dressy or casual...You Decide!

Please keep in mind that it is important to schedule your Senior Photo Session early so that you have time to stretch out your payments.  If you wait until late Spring, not only do you lose the luxury of time to spread your payments out, you also run the risk of incurring rush fees to meet your graduation deadline.

Call today to schedule your FREE consultation appointment. (510)832-3686. At that time our professional portrait photographer, Gisele Bonds will meet with you to brain storm about what elements would make the perfect Senior Portrait session for you. Gisele will also show you examples of all our new Graduation Portrait products so that you can plan for your favorites.

The "Name Thang" is a popular Senior Portrait Product

Check out examples of our Senior Portraits from all over the East Bay on our website: Senior Portrait Gallery
Like our 2012 Senior Page on Facebook for tips on making Senior Year run smoothly

Positive Images Photography
548 Grand Ave
Oakland CA 94610

Oakland Wedding Venue: Preservation Park is a Unique Journey through East Bay History

I have been blessed with extraordinary clients throughout my 22 year career. Creating portrait art that tells their unique stories is never a "job"...it's my passion and I have a lot of fun doing it!

Judi & Grason's Engagement Portrait Session at Lake Merrit

Judi and Grason are a bubbly couple that are enthusiastic and clearly in love. Creating engagement portraits for them at their Love Story Session gave me a clue of how much fun I was going to have on their wedding at Preservation Park in Oakland.

Preservation Park offers Bay Area Brides a timeless backdrop

Preservation Park is one of those unexpected jewels of Oakland...it is like strolling into a small portal in time that gives a glimpse of what living in Oakland was like during the Victorian era. The buildings have been restored to their full charm and are a blend of  Queen Ann, Craftsman, Colonial Revival, and Italianate Villa  architecture. The result is a magical venue for a wedding day in Oakland.

Brides dressing at Preservation Park feel like queens

Judi selected playful shades of lavendar and purple to punch up her wedding palate.  Even her lovely wedding gown had whimsical touches of purple to add a splash of whimsey. .architectur

A playful moment after the ceremony

It's always great when brides and grooms remember to have fun and enjoy their wedding day. Just like at their Love Story session (when we created engagement photographs) Judi and Grason displayed their playful sides.

A stolen kiss for the bride and groom before the reception


Check out more highlights from Judi and Grason's magical day in this video

You can probably tell I have truly enjoyed creating portraits for Judi and Grason. And would you believe I even got a bonus? On Christmas Eve, I found Grason on the the studio doorstep holding this box of homemade fudge and pistachio nut brittle that Judi made!  Did I mention that I have the most amazing clients in the world?

What a sweet way to kick off the holidays1

I would love to meet you to discuss the details of your wedding day...call for a consultation appointment (510)832-3686...and no, you don't have to bring me fudge! lol

Feel free to browse our online Portrait Gallery at www.positiveimages.biz

Like us on Facebook!

By: Gisele Bonds

Portrait Artist

Family Portrait Update: The Holidays Provide An Excellent Opportunity

Grant Family Portrait at Garin Park in Hayward

Holiday season is an excellent  opportunity to update family portraits. While you are gathered together from different cities, make a permanent keepsake that you will cherish for years to come.  Yes it takes some work…which is why it is so easy to keep putting a family portrait update off.  It can be painful to get a group consensus on location and clothing.  One wants casual attire another prefers formal wear.  Are we shooting at the beach or in the studio? There are many decisions to be made and work  and commitment  in order to pull it all off. 

Watson Family Portrait at Home

But one thing is for sure….you will never regret the decision to make your professional portrait session happen.  Once that finished wall portrait is hanging on your wall, you realize that it is one of the most valuable things a family can own.  That is why disaster victims risk harm to save family pictures…they are the tangible manifestations of our memories. And while no one wants to think about it....we never really know if we will all ever be gathered in the same place again.  Sometimes the miles between us become too large a burden to allow family gatherings and at other times family members pass on before the next portrait.

Jones Family Portrait at Lake Merrit in Oakland

At Positive Images, portrait artist, Gisele Bonds, uses the family portrait consultation as a tool to plan out the details of your session. We realize how valuable your time is and want to optimize the time you set aside for creating your new family portrait by carefully planning it and having a clear understanding of your family and the relationships in the group.  This way on portrait day, there is a clear game plan and the session can be fun and move with purpose.

Brown Family Portrait at Lake Merrit

A professional family portrait is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give each other this holiday. After all, when all is said and done, the only thing that real matters is family. There is still time to get on our 2011 schedule call today to schedule your consultation appointment (510)832-3686.

There are Family Portrait examples available to review in our online gallery at www.positiveimages.biz   You can Like us on Facebook for updates and special offers.