How Arlette Celebrated Her Quinceañera: Traditions, Portraits & Lowriders!
- Janet G.
- Jul 22
- 6 min read
On a Scale from 1 to 10… How’s Quince Planning Going? 💃👑
Drop your number in the comments below!
10 means you’ve already picked out your dream dress and booked the reception hall,
1 means… you don’t even know where to start. 😅
If you’re feeling a little stuck or overwhelmed, don’t worry — I can help!
This blog post isn’t a full breakdown of everything that happens during a quinceañera. (If you’re looking for that, I’ve got a full post that walks you through the timeline — from getting ready, to the church blessing, portraits at the park, the reception, cake cutting, and the final dance. I’ll link that at the end of this post 👇).
But THIS blog post is more of a behind-the-scenes look — from a photographer’s perspective — of what a full quinceañera day can actually look like.
Meet Arlette. 💫
She celebrated her quinceañera in the most beautiful, traditional way — complete with a fun pre-quince portrait session, a meaningful church ceremony, big family portraits at the park, and an unforgettable reception.
(And yes… there were even robots on the dance floor! 🤖✨)
If you want to see how it all came together, keep scrolling! I’ll be sharing photo highlights from each part of her day — and if you’re still in the early stages of planning, I’ve got a free guide and helpful tips waiting for you at the end.
📸 Pre-Quince Portrait Session at Queen Creek Wash Trail
Before the big day, we planned a fun pre-quince portrait session at one of my favorite photo spots — Queen Creek Wash Trail.
This location has such a unique look — it’s sandy, open, and gives off a total beach vibe… even though there’s no ocean in sight! 🌵☀️ It’s the perfect spot if you want that light, breezy, beach-like aesthetic without leaving town. There’s even a nearby park with a lake, and we took some gorgeous portraits in front of the water too.
Arlette brought so much personality to the session! She twirled in her dress, made silly faces, and truly had fun being herself. Her energy made every shot feel effortless and joyful.
Her mom even jumped in — literally! We had Arlette strike a pose in the middle of the frame, and her mom ran back and forth behind her, totally photobombing on purpose. 😂
It was such a fun, planned moment that had all of us laughing. I shared the video clips with them afterward, and they loved it — something they’ll remember forever.
Sessions like this are such a great way to warm up before the big celebration. It’s a chance to get comfortable in front of the camera, test out dress and makeup looks, and capture extra portraits for décor, invitations, or keepsakes.
💄 Getting Ready at Home
The morning of Arlette’s quinceañera started just like most big celebrations do — with hair, makeup, and a house full of excitement. And true to tradition, it was anything but quiet! 😂 Tías, tíos, cousins, siblings — everyone filled the home with music, laughter, and a little bit of chaos.
These early moments are always some of my favorites to photograph. There’s a mix of nerves and joy in the air, and those small, candid moments between the quinceañera and her family end up becoming some of the most meaningful memories.
As everyone got ready, Arlette’s six chambelanes arrived and joined in the fun — and waiting outside? A row of three colorful lowriders ready to take them to the church in style. Talk about making an entrance!
⛪ Church Ceremony
Once everyone was dressed and ready, we headed to the church for the blessing ceremony — one of the most meaningful parts of a traditional quinceañera.
Arlette and her court of honor arrived in style, riding together in those classic lowriders. It was a beautiful and heartfelt service, surrounded by her closest family and friends. These moments always help center the day — they’re a reminder of the love, faith, and support that surround the quinceañera as she steps into a new chapter of life.
📍 Family Portraits at the Park
After the church ceremony, we made a stop at the same location as Arlette’s pre-quince session — but this time, we stayed on the side with the lake and grassy field, away from the wash trail and the playground.
It was a sunny afternoon, so we didn’t get too close to the water, but we still had plenty of open space and a peaceful atmosphere to work with.
Arlette’s family gathered together for a wide panoramic group photo — one of the standout images that made it into her final album. We also took some fun portraits with the lowriders, and her chambelanes were definitely enjoying those moments! 🚗💙
🎉 Reception & Traditions
After portraits at the park, it was time to head to the reception — usually the biggest part of the night! Most receptions run from around 5 PM until 10, or even midnight, depending on the venue hours. Arlette’s was no exception — and it was a full celebration from start to finish.
Her family put so much heart into planning every detail. From the décor to the timeline, you could tell how much love and effort went into making the day unforgettable.
When I arrived, I captured some of the decor details, then moved right into more family portraits as guests started arriving. The evening was filled with beautiful quinceañera traditions — all the moments that make this celebration so meaningful:
The traditional last doll ceremony
The changing of the shoes by her father
A heartfelt father-daughter dance
A sweet mother-daughter dance
A dance with her little brother
A special toast from her loved ones
And of course, the cutting of the cake
After all the formalities, it was time to party — and Arlette’s DJ made sure no one stayed in their seats! The room lit up with energy when the LED robots came out — it took the fun to the next level and made the night even more memorable. 🤖🎶
All of these moments — from the getting ready to the final dance — were beautifully captured and carefully designed into a custom quinceañera album. It’s not just a stack of digital images… it’s a keepsake Arlette will have forever. One day, she’ll be able to hold it in her hands and share it with her daughters, flipping through the memories of a day she’ll never forget. 💖
💖 Planning a Quinceañera? Here’s a Real Day Breakdown + Free Resources
Arlette’s quinceañera was a beautiful blend of tradition, fun, and heartfelt moments. If you’re in the middle of planning your own quince celebration, her day is a great example of how to bring your vision to life — with personality, meaning, and joy.
If you’re looking for a more detailed timeline of what happens on the day of the quinceañera — complete with timestamped moments from getting ready to the final dance — click the link below! It’ll give you a clear idea of what to expect, how long each part of the day typically lasts (like the traditional dances), and help you stay organized as you plan.
Need ideas for the photography side of things? I’ve got you covered there too!
Download my FREE photo guides — packed with tips on the best locations around the Valley, elegant (and simple!) poses for the quinceañera, and fun group photo ideas for the court of honor.
(No email required — just click and enjoy!)
And if you’re still looking for a quinceañera photographer — I’d love to chat with you! Whether you’re planning a small backyard celebration or a full-on ballroom party, I’d be honored to capture it all.
👉 Tap here to contact me and tell me about your plans — I’d love to hear what you’re dreaming up.
Thanks for reading! I hope this blog gave you inspiration and a little glimpse of what’s possible. Feel free to leave a comment or just tap the ❤️ in the corner to let me know you stopped by!