10 Graduation Portrait Photography Ideas for your College Grad Photos

Wednesday, September 14, 2022 | By: Courtney Ranck-Copher Photography

10 Graduation Portrait Photography Ideas for your College Grad Photos

You’ve made it!  What better way to announce to the world that you are here to be seen than with a professional senior portrait session? It’s a chance to capture your personality. To record this defining moment. To celebrate who you are and the journey you’ve been on.  

 

Our goal is to make your senior portrait session a fun experience, and there are so many ways we can do that! Scroll through Pinterest and you’ll see tons of ideas for how to make your collegiate photos unique. Here are a few of our favorites!

Spell it out

That boring cap needs some bling!  Show your creative side and decorate your cap, your area of study, a major milestone, or something that defined your college experience.
Then pose with your masterpiece and really show off your personality!

You might even have a commemorative bottle like Patrick did!

Your favorite university spots

Did you have a particular place you hung around on campus?  I love photographing graduates in front of their sorority and fraternity hall because it is such a large part of that Greek life. 
Why not incorporate these special memories into your collegiate portraits?

On the sports field (or court)

If you are an athlete, a great way to recognize your career is to take photos on the field or in the gym where you practiced and played. Bonus points if you include your sports equipment or jersey. 

Professional Headshot

Your career starts now.  Whether you are planning on taking some time off before sending out those resumes or CVs, now is the time to get your professional headshot done.  With an in-studio session, you can maximize your graduation photos with a professional profile picture for LinkedIn, a business card, or even your new website.  

Put on the cap and gown

This one is a classic of course…your cap and gown.   When getting professional photos of you in your full commencement gear here is the number 1 secret to looking your best, press your gown.  When you receive your cap and gown the gown is folded which gives the garment deep creases that show up on camera.  Definitely not the sign of a successful collegiate that fuels hope for the future. So press that gown and show off your success!

Library or bookstore

If you’ve been especially focused on academics, surrounding yourself with books makes for fun photos! Your college library can be a great place to capture this aspect of your personality.

Terrell Library at the WSU campus in Pullman, WA

Bring along your pet

This requires some advance planning, but including your pet in your graduate portraits is not only a fun way to commemorate your love for your four-legged friend. It can also help you feel more relaxed and at ease.

 

Make it a duo

Did you share your college experience with that special someone?  Bring them along!  Including your bestie, your significant other or your person is a perfect way to say “I couldn’t have done this without you. Let’s celebrate!”

Those who made it possible

You made it, but not solely by yourself.

Why not commemorate your achievements by thanking those who got you there by including them in a photo?  Give them the gift of knowing how much you appreciate them in your journey.   

Ready to wear

Don’t just show off the commencement garb.  Wear something you love under your gown and be ready for that quick wardrobe change!  Don’t forget to be ready to walk too. An extra pair of comfortable shoes in addition to your camera-ready ones will make your graduate photo session that much more enjoyable and fun!  

Which ones will you do at your graduate photo session?  

Are you ready to learn more about our college grad sessions?

If you are ready to learn more about our graduate portrait photography sessions we have on location, in the studio, and a combo of both.

You can learn more here.

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