Fall is in the air, and what better way to capture the season’s beauty than with a photoshoot on the stunning campus of Sacramento State. The yellow leaves on campus were the perfect backdrop for my latest shoot with the lovely Yelena.
I first met Yelena a few years back and have had the pleasure of photographing a couple of her friends. Yelena is a Sacramento native and a kinesiology major, with a focus on exercise science. She chose Sacramento State because of its beautiful and diverse campus. Also, the campus is only 15 minutes away from where she grew up.
One of Yelena’s favorite moments during college was meeting new people and making lifelong friends. She also loved going to the football games with her friends. In addition to her studies, Yelena was also a member of the rowing team for two years.
Graduation photos are always special, and for Yelena, they capture a memorable time in her life. They represent her accomplishments and will be something she can look back on for years to come. One of Yelena’s goals in life is to travel the world and explore different cultures and places.
When the weather heats up, Yelena loves to head to the beach, or any lake, river, or pool to cool off. Swimming and being in the water is her favorite way to beat the summer heat. If she had to describe herself in three words, she would choose “Funny, Smart, Patient”.
Something that may surprise readers about Yelena is that she was born in Ukraine in an ambulance and moved to California when she was only 6 months old. Her favorite quote is “Be a sunflower in a field of roses” by T.F. Fox.
For her graduation shoot, we captured two looks. The first look was a classy white sweater/dress which was perfect for a formal look while the second was a more collegiate look featuring a Sacramento State t-shirt, paired with jeans and tennis shoes. This look was perfect for capturing her college days and her love for her alma mater.
All in all, it was a great photo shoot with Yelena, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for this smart, funny, and kind young woman.
Below are some of our favorite Sacramento State pics with Yelena. Enjoy!





















Estrada Photos is wedding and portrait photography company based out of Sacramento California, with coverage expanding throughout greater parts of the Bay Area. We specialize in weddings, family portraits, senior portraits, and engagement sessions. We take pride in capturing each of our clients personality, and creating beautiful imagery that will last a lifetime. For more information about our services, click here.