Tosses, Flags, and Tides: A Color Guard Senior Session at Marineland

There is nothing quite like the combination of a performer’s passion and the raw beauty of the Florida coast. Recently, StAugustinePortraits.com had the honor of capturing a truly spectacular high school senior session at the iconic Marineland beach. This wasn’t just a standard portrait shoot; it was a celebration of years of dedication to the art of Color Guard.

Why Marineland Beach?

For a St Augustine senior involved in color guard, the location needs to be as dynamic as the sport itself. Marineland is famous for its unique coquina rock formations and expansive shorelines. Unlike the softer dunes found elsewhere, the rugged rocks at Marineland provide a stable and dramatic stage for high tosses and intricate flag work.

Capturing the Movement

Color guard is all about fluid motion and sharp precision. During this session, we focused on:

• Flag Silk in the Sea Breeze: The Atlantic wind became our best friend, catching the vibrant silks of the flags and creating natural, flowing shapes that framed our senior perfectly.
• The Power of the Toss: Using a high shutter speed, we captured that split second of a perfect toss against a backdrop of crashing waves.
• Artistic Contrast: The soft, colorful silks of the guard uniform and flags provided a stunning contrast against the dark, textured coquina rocks and the deep blues of the ocean.

Exceptional Lighting for the Performer

At StAugustinePortraits.com, we specialize in exceptional lighting. For this session, we used a mix of natural golden hour light and professional off-camera flash. This ensured that even with the bright Florida sun behind the athlete, her face was perfectly illuminated, and the details of her uniform and the texture of the flags popped with clarity.

More Than Just a Photo

A senior session is a milestone. It’s about more than just a “nice picture”; it’s about capturing the “bold” and “artistic” spirit of a student who has spent hundreds of hours on a football field or in a gym. By bringing that talent to the beach, we created a portfolio of images that are as unique as her journey.