High frequency ultrasound transducers configured for use with photoacoustics systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an ultrasound transducer stack includes a transducer layer and an at least partially optically reflective lens layer. The lens can include a lens material doped with a plurality of optically reflective particles. In another embodiment, the transducer stack can further include a matching layer comprising a matrix material doped with a plurality of optically reflective particles. In a further embodiment, the transducer stack can include an optically reflective matching layer positioned proximate a front surface of an acoustic lens.