Summer Hershey Gardens Senior Session | Gabi Satelle

When I tell you this session stopped me in my tracks, I mean it. Gabi is part of the 2027 HMP Senior Spokesmodel team, and photographing her at Hershey Gardens during peak summer florals was the kind of evening I want every senior to experience. If you’re a high school senior starting to think about your senior portraits, keep reading, because this session is going to give you so many ideas.

Why Hershey Gardens Is a Dream Location for Senior Portraits

If you’ve been looking for a senior session location that feels lush, romantic, and a little bit magical, Hershey Gardens should be at the top of your list. The rose garden alone, with its rows of pink, coral, red, and cream blooms, is one of the most stunning backdrops I’ve ever photographed in. Catch it during peak summer florals and it genuinely feels like you’ve been transported somewhere in Europe.

We started Gabi’s session in the main rose garden as the evening light was warming up, and it was absolutely perfect. The white pergolas, the climbing vines, the stone steps tucked between the garden beds. There are so many beautiful spots within just a short walk of each other. It’s the kind of location where we can move around, explore, and find something new and stunning every few minutes.

And then we finished at Hotel Hershey, which is its own kind of stunning. The grand staircase with cascading pink petunia baskets, the white colonnade walkway, the reflecting pool pavilion. It is Italian-villa-in-Pennsylvania gorgeous. If you’ve ever driven past and thought it looked like something out of a movie, you are not wrong.

Senior Session Outfit Ideas That Photograph Beautifully

One of the things I love most about Gabi’s session is that her three looks each told a completely different story; and all of them worked perfectly with the locations. If you’re in the middle of planning your own outfits, this session is a great example of what photographs really well.

Her first look was a white floral maxi dress with pink tie-shoulder details. Long, flowing dresses are stunning in garden settings. They move beautifully, they feel romantic, and they photograph so well against colorful florals. If you have a dress in your closet that you’ve been saving for the right moment, your senior session is that moment.

Her second look was a mint halter crop top paired with a white tulle skirt, and the combination of the soft sage green against the purple salvia and white flowering trees in the garden was so dreamy. Two-piece sets are having such a moment right now, and they translate so well in photos. Especially when you pair a soft color with something white.

Her third look was a blush peplum corset top with white wide-leg trousers, and it was absolutely chic at Hotel Hershey. That combination felt polished and editorial without being overdressed. A little more structured, a little more fashion-forward. It worked so beautifully against the white stone architecture.

If you are staring at your closet right now wondering what to wear to your session, I promise, we can figure it out together. I send every senior a style guide, and I’m always happy to look at your options before your session and help you narrow things down.

What a Senior Portrait Session with Heather Marie Photography Actually Looks Like

Here’s what I want you to know before you book: I am not just going to hand you a pose and snap a photo. We are going to spend the entire session just hanging out, exploring the location, and letting the photos happen naturally.

Gabi and I talked about everything that evening. Her mom was there too. Watching her mom beam through the whole session was honestly one of my favorite parts of the night. That kind of energy is what makes a session feel real. Gabi left feeling relaxed and excited, and I left with a gallery full of photos that actually feel like her.

That is the goal for every single senior I photograph. You should leave your session feeling like that was actually fun. Nnot like you just survived something stressful. I’ll walk you through every location, every pose, every outfit transition. You just show up. I’ve got everything else.

About the HMP Senior Spokesmodel Program

Gabi’s session was part of her spokesmodel experience, and if you haven’t heard of the HMP Senior Spokesmodel Program, it’s worth knowing about. Spokesmodels are a small, hand-selected group of seniors who represent Heather Marie Photography throughout their entire senior year. They get one full session, a mini session, exclusive events, blog features, styled shoot opportunities, and referral rewards. They also become part of a community of seniors who are all celebrating this season of life together.

Ready to Book Your Senior Session in Lancaster County, PA?

Whether you’re dreaming of a garden session surrounded by summer florals, a golden-hour session at a local farm, or something completely unique to you, I would love to make it happen. Senior year goes so fast. These photos are how you’ll remember it, and I take that seriously.

If you’re a senior in Lancaster County, Hershey, or the surrounding Pennsylvania area, let’s start planning your session. Head to the contact page and tell me a little about yourself. I can’t wait to hear from you.