Stunning Senior Portraits at Sunset in Orleans, Cape Cod

Cape Cod at sunset is undeniably beautiful, but adding off-camera flash can transform an already picturesque setting into something truly special. Last summer during a gorgeous high school senior session; I used off-camera flash to elevate the natural beauty of the sunset while creating dynamic, eye-catching portraits. The combination of natural light and off-camera flash gave the photos depth and dimension that went beyond what the setting sun alone could offer.

While golden hour is magical for portraits, it can sometimes leave shadows or create a flat look, especially when shooting directly into the light. Off-camera flash, when used correctly, can fill in those shadows, illuminate the subject’s face, and add a pop of light to make them stand out against the backdrop. It’s the perfect tool to enhance the existing beauty of the scene while allowing for creative control over the lighting. In this case, it allowed me to capture this senior’s features and personality without sacrificing the stunning sunset landscape behind her.

For this session, I used my Canon R5 paired with a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. I chose to use one of my Profoto A10 flashes to keep the lighting simple while providing  a soft, flattering light that wouldn’t overpower the natural sunset tones. The key to using off-camera flash at sunset is balancing the exposure from the flash with the ambient light so that the subject looks natural, not overexposed, while still showcasing the beauty of the scene.

This high school senior had a natural grace and confidence shone through in every shot. The sunset’s golden tones worked beautifully with her look, but the off-camera flash ensured her face and features were brightly lit, creating a perfect contrast against the fading sky.

As the sun dropped lower, I experimented with different flash settings to see how the light could complement the changing sky. In some shots, I kept the flash power lower, allowing more of the warm sunset hues to seep into the frame. In others, I increased the flash output to make her pop against the deepening sky. The flexibility of off-camera flash allowed me to adjust on the fly and capture a variety of looks—from soft silhouettes to bright, striking portraits with a rim light effect around her hair and dress

The result was a gallery of senior portraits that not only captured this beautiful senior’s personality but also showcased the breathtaking beauty of Cape Cod. Using off-camera flash allowed me to preserve the richness of the sunset while ensuring she stood out in each shot. The portraits were filled with depth and warmth, creating a timeless collection that she and her family will treasure for years to come.

Here are some favorites to share from her Cape Cod senior session in Orleans in the beginning of August. If you are looking for a high school senior beach session, please reach out months in advance of summer to book your preferred session dates.

Are looking for senior photos on the beach? I offer beach sessions  for seniors in the summer into early fall in Maine, the North Shore, and South Shore. As well as sessions for seniors from Sherborn, Wayland, Brookline , Cambridge, Natick, a Medfield.  Paula Swift offers beautiful portraits of dancers in her studio and outdoors.   Visit Paula Swift Photography – www.paulaswift.com to find out more information about booking a photography session. As a Master Photographer as well as a Certified Professional Photographer. She has over 29 years of professional photography experience. Beautiful portraits can be captured right in your hometown of Framingham, Wayland, Concord or Natick.

Additionally, her creative eye will give your senior the best and unique look for their senior year. Paula travels to beaches all over New England for beach sessions. There may be a travel fee and fee to photograph on the beach grounds. Please reach out to Paula with suggestions about what beach you are looking to have your session at.

Paula Swift, a former staff photojournalist at the Worcester Telegram & Gazette newspaper in Worcester, MA also holds two college degrees in the field of photography. Paula Swift Photography has won awards for her newborn, baby, children, family, maternity and high school photography through the Professional Photographers of America, and Professional Photographers Association of Massachusetts – PPAM. Paula is the current President of PPAM for the year of 2021-2023.

You will find Paula Swift Photography’s beautiful  studio in Sudbury MA just about 20 miles west of the city of Boston. Paula Swift also travels throughout Massachusetts and New England for on location sessions. Boston Senior Photographer,  MA Child Photographer and Award-winning Boston Photojournalist.  Paula Swift Photography offers a wide range of photography skills for all her sessions. “Paula Swift Photography  the best photography in Sudbury MA – Metrowest Boston.”  Accordingly a Professional Photographer with Experience and Skills to capture your special memories. A 2025 Silver Medalist in Newborn Photography, 2025 Bronze medalist in Sports photography. 2024 Platinum medalist, 2022 Silver Medalist. 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2014 Photographer of the Year -Bronze Medalist by the Professional Photographers of America. www.ppa.com