Posted in: Seniors, Sunrise Sessions

September 13, 2026
September 13, 2026

As a Belmont MA senior photographer, I love giving seniors the option to travel to the South Shore for beautiful beach portraits—and Rosie’s sunrise session was an absolute dream! Rosie is a senior at Belmont High School, and she and her mom joined me at the beach for the most breathtaking morning.
There is truly nothing like an East Coast sunrise. Watching the sun come up over the water is incredibly beautiful, and that soft, warm morning light gave Rosie’s photographs the dreamiest glow. The beach was peaceful, the water was calm, and the combination of golden sunlight, pale sand, dune grass, weathered beach fencing, and rocky shoreline created so much variety throughout her session.











Sunrise sessions are absolutely worth the early wake-up! The light begins soft and delicate, then becomes warmer and brighter as the sun rises over the ocean. In Rosie’s portraits, it created the prettiest golden light around her hair and made the entire beach feel almost luminous.
We photographed everywhere from the sandy paths and dune grass to the shoreline and rocky areas beside the water. Rosie looked equally gorgeous curled up beside the beach fence, walking barefoot through the waves, and sitting among the rocks with the morning sun streaming in behind her.









Rosie brought four incredible outfits, and each one added something completely different to her gallery. Her pale blue lace-trimmed top with white jeans felt fresh, coastal, and perfect for the softer morning light. Her pastel long-sleeved mini dress looked so beautiful surrounded by the beach grass, while her blue-and-white floral dress was adorable beside the sandy paths and weathered fencing.
And then there was the white dress! The long, flowing silhouette looked absolutely stunning against the rocks and glowing ocean. It was elegant without feeling too formal and gave us the most beautiful movement along the shoreline. White at the beach is always gorgeous, but paired with that golden sunrise light, it was truly magical.
Choosing multiple outfits is a wonderful way to create a senior gallery with plenty of variety. Rosie’s wardrobe included a mix of cute, relaxed, feminine, and elevated looks while still feeling completely cohesive with the coastal setting.








Rosie was the absolute sweetest and had such a calm, lovely presence. She made the entire morning feel effortless, and her beautiful smile lit up every photograph. I loved creating these sunrise beach portraits for her and capturing such a special part of her senior year.
If you are searching for a Belmont MA senior photographer and love the idea of senior pictures at the beach, you do not have to limit your session to locations close to home. I photograph seniors from Belmont and throughout Massachusetts at carefully selected South Shore and Cape Cod locations. These beaches offer gorgeous light, soft sand, coastal grasses, rocky shorelines, and beautiful ocean views.
Sunrise and sunset each bring their own kind of magic to the beach, but seeing the sun rise directly over the water is an experience all its own. Rosie’s session was breathtaking from beginning to end, and I am so excited for her to have these photographs to remember her senior year!
If you are ready to plan your own senior portrait experience, contact me to learn more about booking your session with a Belmont MA senior photographer.












Many of my clients ask me, “When is the best time of year for senior pictures?” Most of my seniors love late July, August, or early September. However, my personal favorite months are late September and October. The air is crisper, and the humidity and bugs have calmed down. Additionally, the chance of pop-up thunderstorms drops way down, and the light turns extra golden. This makes everything feel dreamy and effortless.
If your school requires a senior portrait for the yearbook, you’ll want to plan your session for the summer before senior year or early fall of senior year. The most important thing to remember? Book your date as soon as possible! I recommend booking at least four months in advance – ideally by April or May of junior year. Many of my clients even use our priority booking system to reserve their session a full year ahead of time! Priority Booking means you’ll reserve your preferred month for senior portraits, place your deposit, and be officially guaranteed a spot during that month. Your exact session date will be selected in April.


Christina Runnals is a nationally published and award-winning Massachusetts senior portrait photographer. She specializes in creating images that are light-filled, natural, glowy, and full of joy. She has photographed senior pictures all over New England and the Northeast. Photographing seniors is truly one of her favorite parts of the job. If you’re ready to book your senior pictures, she would be thrilled to be considered. Visit her senior portrait session page here for more information.

© 2026 Belmont MA Senior Photographer | christinarunnalsphotography@gmail.com
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