It was hot as...well you know, in Paradise Valley when the Matador Class of 2025 got ready for their senior banners! I have been with this class since they were freshmen for band portraits- and the drum major Ms Coll even said she thought these were the coolest ones they had seen yet! Cool is a relative term since we def set off the fire alarm (fog machine y'all I keep it safe!) but man did that fog make for a great experience for the kids!
Each one showcases their personality, and they all showed off their cool sides! even backbends, mulitple guitars, and muscles holding heavy tubas and keyboards on their shoulders. Anybodyw who thinks band is easy needs to try carrying those guys around in 100 degrees.
This year’s seniors came ready to make their mark, but as every Arizonan knows, the weather here can be…hot. Really really hot. Especially at the beginning of Marching season which is technically May with band camp and school starting in July or August . With the crazy high temps it’s not safe to take photos outdoors unless it is super early. That’s why composite portraits were the perfect solution for capturing these seniors’ personalities and celebrating their final season in band without battling the brutal Arizona sun.
If you haven’t heard of composite portraits, I guarentee you have seen them. One of my art heros is Drew Struzan, and this year I wanted all of my senior banners to have a hint of the feeling of his posters from movies like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Hook, Back to the Future, and Star Wars. Compositing is the process of blending two or more images into one new photo. Think of it like creating a movie poster where every element comes together for a dramatic, eye-catching final result. Composite portraits take each student’s individual photo and combine it with a carefully crafted backdrop that shows off school spirit, band pride, and a little extra flair to make it truly epic.
With the Shadow Mountain seniors, these composite portraits became a way to highlight each senior in a unique way. Instead of standing in the heat, we captured each senior’s portrait indoors, where they could stay cool and relaxed. Then, I combined those shots with a custom background that made it look like they were front and center on their very own “movie poster.” This style is perfect for Arizona seniors who want a bold, dramatic portrait without having to wait for the perfect weather.
The result? Photos that look powerful, personal, and are a total showstopper! Each senior got their own “poster” moment, with backgrounds designed to bring out the colors and vibe of the Shadow Mountain Marching Band. Some seniors wanted more traditional looks, while others wanted to bring a bit of their personality into the mix. The great thing about composites is that we can go BIG on creativity. We can mix school colors, marching elements, or even some high-energy graphics to match each senior’s unique style. Plus, we don’t have to worry about rushing through the session to avoid melting in the heat. Instead, we can focus on getting every detail right, capturing each senior’s personality with care and creativity.
Another fun part of composite photography is that it’s completely customizable. Once the session was complete, we could adjust and tweak backgrounds to match the look that best represented each senior’s vibe and the Shadow Mountain spirit. The seniors loved having a say in what went into their final portraits. After all, senior year is a BIG deal, and these portraits are meant to capture a moment they’ll remember forever. Composites also make it easier to create a cohesive look across the whole senior band. With each senior having their own personalized “poster,” we could create an awesome lineup that looks like a true team — even if each photo was taken individually. These portraits are bold, modern, and really capture the energy of the Shadow Mountain Marching Band. When they’re all put together, it’s like flipping through the cast of an epic movie about teamwork, music, and high school memories. And honestly, for seniors, that’s what marching band is all about!
