A Guide to WVU Graduation Photo Session

Whether your graduation photo session is for high school or college, this is a memorable time for you! They capture a special time in your life and something you should be very proud of. Even though you may not be ready to move on, this is the end of an era, and you’re entering the next phase of your life. You will have a lasting memory of all your best times before graduation by capturing these final moments.

Table of Contents:

Why Have a Graduation Photo Session?
When To Take Graduation Pictures?
What To Wear For My Graduation Photo Session?
Graduation Photo Shoot Ideas

Why Have a Graduation Photo Session?

A graduation photo shoot has become some of my favorite sessions! Certain times in your life deserve to be celebrated, and graduating from high school or college is a huge accomplishment. It is important to capture graduation pictures as it is a significant moment that reflects on the hard work that has led up to this point.

While at your graduation photo session, have your photographer grab some pictures of you without your cap and gown. These portraits can be great for any professional images you may need. You can use professional headshots on your resume, CV (curriculum vitae), or LinkedIn profile. The images can be used for a more business-like setting or as a nice set of professional images. Of course, remember the important people in your life that will want copies to commemorate this time.

When To Take Graduation Pictures?

If you’re graduating in the spring, you’ll want to schedule your graduation photo shoot as early as possible. Remember, this is a hectic time because many other graduates also want their pictures done. Plus, the photographer may be getting into their busy season of weddings and portraits. The weather is also a factor you need to consider. In some places, springtime can be a gamut of weather conditions that aren’t conducive to an outdoor photo session.

To have these photos edited by your photographer in time for your graduation party or your invitations, you’ll need to have the pictures taken in plenty of time. To ensure your photo appears in the yearbook, you’ll also need to remember the deadline for submitting your photo.

What To Wear For My Graduation Photo Session?

For your graduation photo shoot, I suggest wearing clothing that matches your graduation gown, cap, and graduation stole. When taking your pictures, I like to capture a few images of you with your entire grad attire on, but I also play around with each piece that will show off your clothes. If the colors aren’t something you’d typically wear, don’t hesitate to wear black, white, or cream and add a pop of color with your shoes or jewelry.

Ladies, if you are wearing a dress, I advise the length to be shorter or the same length as your gown. You also want to consider how the dress fits you. Since it will be under your gown for some pictures, you don’t want the dress to add bulk to the look, so I recommend wearing a more fitted dress. Another consideration is the neckline of your attire. The neckline of your clothing should not protrude above the yoke or stole if you are wearing one.

For the guys getting your graduation photos taken, I suggest you dress nicely in a pair of slacks and a button-down shirt. Also, remember to iron your clothes and wear nice shoes. If you’re wearing a button-down shirt, it’s ok to be above the yoke or stole, so there is no need to worry about the neckline of your shirt.

Graduation Photo Shoot Ideas

I am all for fun when it comes to your graduation photo session! This is a moment for you to let loose and celebrate, and that’s how we want to commemorate you in these pictures. This photo shoot is about you and how you got to this vital part of your life, so there aren’t many off-limits. You’ll want to bring your cap, graduation gown, stole or yoke, and cords. To add hype to your session, you can bring along balloons, confetti guns, confetti poppers, champagne, your school’s flag, or colored smoke that adds so much to your session. You could also bring your pet, school books, an instrument, your bestie, or your significant other.

One quick tip is don’t wait until your graduation day to capture this moment. The crowd will make it difficult to get pictures just of you, and you will be completely dressed in your graduation attire; your gown will be wrinkled after several hours, and your cap and hair will probably look untidy. Of course, you’ll have plenty of exciting pictures of you and your classmates, but this isn’t the time to get a perfectly polished photo of you in your graduation attire.

Caitlin and I met up last spring to capture her WVU graduation pictures. The weather was beautiful, and we shot at the end of the day when the light was soft and creamy. We grabbed a colorful, celebratory session at Woodburn Circle on West Virginia University’s campus. We chose this location as Woodburn Hall is the oldest building on WVU’s campus and is the epitome of WVU. Caitlin’s outfit choice was perfect for her pictures. It blended well with the colors of her graduation attire yet was perfect for professional headshots that she could use in the future. This fun, light-hearted session celebrated Caitlin’s achievement in obtaining her master’s degree!