🎓The Graduation & Senior Experience
Graduation is a major milestone, and your photos should capture the moment perfectly! Whether you're booking a professional shoot, grabbing candids with friends, or doing it DIY-style, this guide will help you get the most out of your graduation photo experience.
📆 1. Schedule Your Session Early
Professional photography: Coordinate with your friends or book a personal session with me as your photographer. The earlier the better, as slots fill up fast. Weekends and golden hour (the hour after sunrise or before sunset) are the best times, especially since I am a light and airy photographer. One big piece of advice I always give my clients is to also schedule their session at least 1 week before the actual graduation. This ensures little crowds, good weather, and delivery of photos in time of your actual graduation. Trust me when I say, you will not want to capture these moments when crowds and rain are pouring in.
📍 2. Picking the Perfect Locations
Location is key when planning your session. I will always ask my clients if there are any spots they absolutely had in mind for capturing their photos. However, I will always make sure these locations are perfect for lighting and scenery. Here are some classic campus spots that I will consider as your photographer, as well:
Main landmark or iconic building (e.g., clock tower, main hall)
University sign or welcome arch
Library steps or popular hangout spot
Your department or major-specific building
Favorite study spots or dorm
Seasonal backgrounds (blossoming trees in spring, fall leaves, etc.)
****I will always scout locations beforehand to avoid crowds and lighting issues.
👗 3. Plan Your Outfit
Cap and gown: Double-check how it should be worn (tassel, hood, cords, etc.).
Underneath: Solid, neutral, or school colors work best. Think classic and timeless. If you LOVE that light and airy style that I do, then this section is super important to read! I always recommend selecting lighter tones and more muted shades. By avoiding ultra-bright, bold colors, it will help bring all the attention to your faces and let the eye focus on the way you feel about each other. The camera loves shades of soft pink and muted blues, mixed with sophisticated light neutrals like heather gray, creams, leather brown, navy, and white. Additionally, some of my top recommendations is to wear a light-colored dress, with lace, sheerness, or embroidery. A pop of nude looks amazing too. On camera, these look magical. Some of my favorite brands are Dress the Population, Anthropologie, For Love & Lemons, ASTR the Label, Altar’d State, Shop Impressions, and Free People. Although pricey, they make for best photos, AND there are many websites that you can rent the outfits without paying full price, such as Rent the Runway! How amazing is that? Also, Long, flowy dresses and skirts look amazing on camera because they bring extra movement to the photos. There are so many beautiful poses we can create with a long beautiful dress! Cute, shorter-length dresses photograph beautifully as well. This would also give you an opportunity to show off any killer heels you may have! These are all just suggestions, so feel free to wear anything your heart desires…you will look beautiful either way!
Shoes: Comfy enough to walk in—but still cute.
Accessories: Keep it simple, or show off meaningful items (class ring, stole, medals).
Optional: Bring an outfit change for a casual or formal look in addition to the cap and gown.
🎓 4. Posing Tips & Shot List
As your photographer, I will, of course, guide you throughout the entire session with poses and ideas. Anything to do to take the stress off your back! I also love the candid shots, as they make for beautiful memories.
Must-Have Shots:
📸 Headshots in your cap and gown
🎉 Tossing your cap and/or holding it
👣 Walking away in your gown (symbolic shot!)
👨👩👧👦 With family or friends
🏫 In front of a school building or sign
😄 Laughing candids (have fun with it!)
🍾 Popping Champagne (always a fun addition)
Pose Tips:
Relax your shoulders and smile naturally.
Look away from the camera sometimes for candid, cinematic vibes.
Use your hands—hold your diploma cover, cap, flowers, etc.
Try seated, standing, walking, and leaning poses for variety.
📦 5. What to Bring
✔️ Cap & gown (iron it beforehand!)
✔️ Diploma holder or a mock diploma
✔️ Bobby pins & safety pins (for securing your cap)
✔️ Hairbrush, blotting paper, or makeup touch-ups
✔️ Water and snacks (if you're doing a long shoot)
✔️ Props (confetti, balloons, flowers, signs, etc.)
✨ 6. Make It Personal
Bring items that reflect your college journey: textbooks, your laptop, sports gear, etc.
Recreate a favorite memory or inside joke.
Coordinate themes with your friends for group shots!
*If you plan on brining props, please let me know in advance so I can plan accordingly.
📲 7. Sharing & Printing
Not only will you receive your photos in a timely matter (1-2 weeks), you will be able to download them and share them without any watermarks!
Social media: Use your school’s hashtags and tag your friends!
Printing: Order prints or make a photo book for yourself and your family.
Announcements: Use high-res photos for graduation cards or invites.
💡 Final Tips
Check the weather and reschedule if needed—rain can ruin gowns and moods. I will be keeping track of the weather to see if we need to postpone the session.
Practice your smile and a few poses in the mirror before your shoot. I will take a LOT of photos so you can pick your favorites.
Don’t stress perfection. Sometimes the spontaneous shots turn out the best!
Get ready to have a fun time! I can’t wait to provide you with memories that will last forever!
