Well done, since you’re walking in the December graduation at WVU. Finally, you’re nearly there.
The December graduation photographs you receive from WVU will serve as a reminder of this achievement for years to come. It is necessary to adopt a more strategic approach when arranging these photos than with those of spring graduates. Generally, December graduates have their pictures taken in the fall, which means that you’ll have to deal with earlier sunsets. Moreover, the changing leaves and weather in Morgantown are unpredictable.
December is one of the busiest times of the year on campus, due to homecoming and the football weekends occupying Woodburn Circle. If the timing is right, the fall weather offers some of the best conditions of the year for graduation photos. The autumn colors produce spectacular visuals for WVU’s December graduation. The following information will tell you all you need to know regarding arranging your WVU December graduation photographs.
Why December Grads Need to Plan Earlier Than Spring Grads
In the spring, the graduates have the advantage of the calendar, since each week has longer days and warmer temperatures.
More flowers appear all over the campus, so if you wait a few weeks, you will generally find improved conditions.
The situation is the opposite for those graduating in December: the days get shorter as the semester progresses.
Temperatures also fall. Leaves that looked wonderful one week can lie on the ground the next.
The window for the ideal session narrows as well, and the date you select has a greater effect on the results of the photographs.
December graduation photos look best in fall. They are among the year’s most beautiful images, and the warm leaves pair nicely with your cap and gown. The traditional WVU blue and gold colors establish the atmosphere and give the collection a rich, cozy Morgantown feel.
The Sun Sets Earlier, and Golden Hour Moves With It
Golden hour is the period just before sunset. The light then is softest and most pleasant. I suggest this time for almost all graduation photographs. In spring, golden hour occurs in the evening after classes and work have ended. The fall brings golden hour earlier each week.
In October, the sun sets around 7:00 p.m. in Morgantown. The golden hour comes near 6:00 p.m. Moreover, by the end of October, sunset has moved to about 6:30 p.m. Daylight Saving Time ends in early November. All times shift forward by one hour. The sunset is about 5:30. By the time that December graduation takes place, the sun has set at about 5:00. Thus, the golden hour is right in the middle of the late afternoon.
What tends to surprise most students who graduate in December is that a 4:00 p.m. session in November is considered a golden-hour session. Since this time may conflict with afternoon classes, labs, clinicals, or work shifts, it is advisable to plan in advance to avoid any surprises. You should also check the campus lighting windows and the available rooms.
Also, before booking, review your class timetable to ensure you are on campus when the light is at its best.
Planning Around Peak Fall Foliage for WVU December Graduation Photos
The excitement you’ll feel about your December graduation photographs because of the fall colors depends completely on the timing. In Morgantown, the leaves peak from mid-October to late October. The timing varies year to year due to weather conditions. A warm, dry September can delay the coloring, while an early cold snap can cause it to appear sooner.
For the best foliage, plan your visit from mid-October to the first week of November. That window yields the brightest colors across the campus. I monitor the trees throughout the season and can keep you informed about their condition. Leaves can fall quickly after heavy rain or a windy week. Go earlier within the available time frame if good foliage is your main concern.
If you miss the peak, don’t worry. Late autumn has its beauty, with warm light and bare branches. It features a crisp, winter-like atmosphere by Woodburn Circle’s brick buildings. This seasonal appearance suits the moment exactly for a great many December graduates.
Morgantown Weather in the Fall and Early Winter
The autumn weather in West Virginia continues to spark speculation. It’s possible to have a 70-degree afternoon in early October and then experience frost the following week. In November, the weather usually features more gray days, rain, and cold temperatures, and by December, snow is possible.
Since each session lasts only one hour, a bit of cold isn’t a problem at all. Put on several layers under your gown and bring a warm coat. Wear it when you move from one place to another. Also, have gloves or a warm scarf in your school colors. Overcast weather isn’t actually a disadvantage because the clouds soften the light and produce even, flattering shades on your face. With rain, it’s a different matter. If the forecast looks bad, we’ll discuss rescheduling or moving to a sheltered location a few days before your session, so you still get the photos you want.
The most important piece of advice I can offer to those graduating in December is to book your session early. Avoid waiting until the last moment. If you book in late November or early December, you will have little room to reschedule. You may need to reschedule before commencement if the weather proves unfavorable. Booking earlier in the fall builds a buffer. It removes the stress that would arise in the final weeks of your semester.
Homecoming, Game Days, and Other Campus Events
Fall is the busiest time of year on WVU’s campus, and this can certainly affect your December graduation photographs. During Homecoming week, events and decorations draw large crowds at popular photo spots. Woodburn Circle is one such spot. The home football games on Saturdays fill the campus with fans, tailgating, traffic, and a severe shortage of parking, making it difficult to get from one location to another or to get a clear shot of your preferred background.
If you want to take quiet, uncrowded photographs, it’s a good idea to check the WVU athletics schedule and the university’s homecoming calendar beforehand and to avoid Saturdays with home games and homecoming weekend. That said, if you are a devoted Mountaineer fan, then the atmosphere on game days can be part of the enjoyment. Taking some photographs near the stadium where gold and blue are everywhere can give your collection the true feel of WVU; all it requires is a bit more planning and patience.
You should also consider other activities around campus; weekday afternoons are busy because students are between classes, and the weeks before finals become hectic for everybody, particularly those graduating in December, who have to deal with their final projects and commencement arrangements. Thanksgiving break is one of the calmest periods on campus, so it’s a good choice if you’ll still be in town, though the foliage is generally past its prime by then.
The Cap and Gown Problem (and the Easy Fix)
The greatest annoyance December graduates face is that the ideal time to take photos comes well before most students have actually received their caps and gowns. The official WVU regalia can be obtained from the WVU Bookstore or online via Herff Jones, and a great many graduates don’t collect theirs or get them until the very end of the semester, right up to commencement. By that time, the leaves have fallen, golden hour has moved to 4:00 p.m., and the finals are in full swing. That is the main reason December grads end up rushing their photo sessions or missing the fall colors entirely.
The simplest solution is to borrow a cap and gown. A friend, roommate, sibling, or sorority sister who graduated from WVU in the spring will generally have kept theirs in a closet, and by borrowing one, you can plan your photoshoot when the light and the leaves are at their finest. Anyone looking at the photographs will never be able to tell the difference. Just make sure the gown fits properly, reaching below the knees and a few inches above the ankles, and give it a quick steam before the photoshoot to ensure it looks good in the pictures. If you are an Honors graduate, then it’s best to borrow from another Honors graduate since WVU Honors students wear gold regalia rather than the standard blue.
If you prefer to have your own, you should place your order as early as possible and factor in shipping time if you’re buying online. Another option is to begin your session with photos of yourself in your outfit and WVU gear, then add the cap and gown once you have it. In either case, don’t let the timing of your regalia determine when your photos are taken. Having lent you a gown will give you the fall colors, the more convenient golden hour, and a stress-free finals period.
The Best Time to Book Your WVU December Graduation Photos
If you put all the factors together, mid-October to early November is ideal for most people graduating in December. This period gives you the best opportunity to see colorful leaves, enjoy more pleasant weather, take advantage of a later golden hour that is easier to fit into your timetable, and have plenty of time to reschedule before commencement should the weather prove bad. Just make sure to check the football and homecoming schedules before you finalize your date.
You might prefer a crisper, wintery appearance, or perhaps your timetable doesn’t permit an earlier session; in which case, late November and early December will still work very well. Make your session time as early as possible, wear warm clothing, and leave a bit of flexibility in your schedule.
However long you pick, you should get in touch early on. The most popular dates for taking December graduation photographs, particularly the weekend golden-hour times during peak foliage, are the first to fill up each fall.
Frequently Asked Questions About WVU December Graduation Photos
You should book your WVU December graduation photos as early as possible, preferably by the end of summer or the beginning of September, to secure a date during peak fall foliage.
Should I take my graduation photos in the fall or closer to graduation? For the majority of graduates, the period from mid-October to early November provides the best combination of autumn color, milder weather, and the opportunity to reschedule before commencement. For a winter appearance, photographs taken in late November and early December are suitable.
If I haven’t received my cap and gown yet, I can borrow one from a friend or family member who graduated from WVU in the spring, so you can plan your ceremony for the peak of fall foliage rather than waiting until your own regalia arrives near commencement.
December graduation photos work best in the hour just before sunset; this time gets earlier each week and advances by an hour when daylight saving time ends in early November.
If it rains on my session day, we will check the forecast a few days in advance and either reschedule or adjust the locations if necessary. If you book early in the fall, you will have more room to reschedule before graduation.
Yes, you should steer clear of football weekends if you want quiet, uncrowded photographs, since Saturday home games and homecoming weekends result in large crowds and limited parking on campus.
Book Your WVU December Graduation Photos
You’ve put in so much effort to get to this point, and nothing could be more suitable than having the fall in Morgantown as the setting to mark the occasion. At Carrie White Photography, I really enjoy photographing WVU December graduates among the golden leaves, with the glowing lights and all the joy that comes with completing your degree. Let’s choose the ideal date so your photo gallery is just as memorable as your time at WVU.
If you’re ready to book your December graduation photos at WVU, get in touch with us now to secure your preferred date before the session fills up. Let’s Go, Mountaineers!
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