Senior Portraits in Ferndale. State Champion Tanner Pidgeon

As a senior portrait photographer in Humboldt County, I have the privilege of capturing milestone moments for some truly remarkable young people. This session with Tanner Pidgeon, a Class of 2025 senior at Ferndale High School, was one for the books.

Tanner isn’t just any high school senior. He’s a football state champion and NCS standout who has made his mark both on and off the field. When it came time to plan his senior portrait session, we knew we wanted to capture not just his athletic achievements, but also the strong family bonds and the beautiful Eel River Valley landscape that has shaped who he is.

The Eel River Valley as a backdrop

We started in the golden hillsides overlooking Ferndale, where the rolling hills and mountain backdrop created the perfect setting for timeless senior portraits. The warm afternoon light illuminated the dry grass fields, giving us that quintessential Northern California look I love capturing for my clients.

From there, we moved to a lush green cornfield, a nod to Ferndale’s rich agricultural heritage and the farming community Tanner calls home. These family portraits with his mom and sister show the genuine connection and love that radiates from this family. We also captured wonderful extended-family shots, creating memories that will be treasured for generations.

Athletes in front of the camera

What I love most about working with high school athletes like Tanner is seeing how their dedication and discipline on the field translates into confidence in front of the camera. Tanner brought incredible energy to every shot, whether it was a classic senior portrait pose or a candid moment with his family.

Book a senior portrait session

If you’re looking for a senior portrait photographer in Ferndale, Fortuna, Eureka, or anywhere in Humboldt County who specializes in capturing athletes and creating meaningful family portraits, send a note. At Tex Kelly Productions, your senior year deserves to be documented in a way that reflects who you are and the journey that brought you here.

Congratulations, Tanner, on an incredible high school career. The future is bright for this young man, and I’m honored to have captured this chapter of his story.