What to consider before your graduation photoshoot

Whether your high school graduation is approaching or you’re about to be a college grad, you worked hard to get where you are. It’s finally time to throw your graduation cap and confetti in the air and say: I did it! 🎉

We easily connect people with trusted photographers for fun photoshoots and have captured over four million memories worldwide. The magic of Flytographer is both the experience and the photos. Explore the city with a fun, talented photographer and get wall-worthy photos to relive your trip, forever. So let’s register this moment the best way possible with great senior or college graduation pictures. 📸

TLDR

1. Know why you should get graduation pictures
2. Choose the best time to take graduation pictures and senior portraits
3. Decide who to bring to your grad photos and senior portraits
4. Where to take graduation pictures: Find the best location
5. What to wear for your graduation photoshoot
6. How do you look good in graduation pictures?

Photo: Jenn in Toronto for Flytographer. Maciel and friend capture memories in Toronto with a Graduation photoshoot at High Park.

1. Know why you should get graduation pictures

Just think about it. Your high school and university graduation are watershed moments after which everything will change, so it should be a celebration of what led to it as well as a catalyst for what comes next. It’s a unique moment in time that should be remembered with a beautiful outdoor graduation photoshoot. 🎓

Your parents surely will want some of your graduation pics to hang on their wall, and you might also want to use one or two to raise your game on your CV, website or Instagram profile. That’s why what you really need is a modern headshot taken by a professional portrait photographer to show the world who you really are with graduation photography. From now on, your life is your own. And so is your graduation shoot, so make the photo session whatever you want it to be.

Photo: Kirill in Paris for Flytographer. Abraham and family capture memories in Paris with a Graduation photoshoot at Trocadéro and the Eiffel Tower.

2. Choose the best time to take graduation pictures and senior portraits

Nothing replaces the excitement of the graduation season itself, with the graduation party approaching and that general sense of celebration. A senior photographer can render all this excitement into your graduation photoshoot. 📸

But remember, it’s always wise to plan ahead and give it enough time, not just when thinking of graduation picture ideas but also when looking for a professional photographer. That’s why some people decide on taking graduation photos months before the actual event. This is generally a hassle-free option since you’ll not be disputing your graduation photographer of choice with any of your classmates and several other high school seniors and college grads in your area. If you’re planning to have your graduation pictures taken outside, the weather is most definitely a factor, as is the scenery in the background. Every season is photogenic in its own way, but which one is the best time to take graduation photos?

Photo: Flytographer in San Diego. Alyssa captures memories in San Diego with a Graduation photoshoot.

Spring

If you’re a fan of symbology, this one’s for you. A spring graduation outdoor photoshoot represents the start of something new, the blossoming of a new life. Spring is also a great time to experiment with graduation photoshoot ideas and get all your creativity out. The temperature is excellent, so you have lots of leeway to work on your grad outfit during your photo session. What’s more, you still get a stunning background of blossoming flowers and lush green leaves. 🌸 For more inspiration, check out the best places to visit in spring for colourful flowers.

Summer

They say summer is a time of infinite potential, freedom and growth. With its cloudless blue skies and extended sunlight hours, this season is unbeatable for outdoor graduation photography. Summer is all about colours, and one is key: gold. ✨ Our Flytographers love “golden hour”, those moments right after sunrise or just before sunset when the sun sheds a beautiful glow on your photo session — simply an excellent time for graduation portraits. It’s all about flaunting your tan and getting in the mood for a sun-sational graduation session. 🌞

Photo: Darine in Lake Louise for Flytographer. Lauren captures memories in Lake Louise with a Graduation photoshoot at Chateau Lake Louise.

Fall and winter

Fall also presents a festival of colours for graduation ideas. We’re talking about nature’s palate here — stunning foliage of warm golden, earthy and fiery hues make the perfect backdrop for your graduation session. If you get snow where you live, it comes with magical landscapes, and let’s face it, nothing beats the allure of white snow falling for winter graduation photos. ☃️ It’s also a good opportunity for you to explore interior photography for senior pictures, at home or at school, for instance. Here are some more tips to have the best winter photoshoot!

3. Decide who to bring to your grad photos and senior portraits 

You did it. 👏 But you didn’t do it alone, did you? Right. So, it’s a good idea to share this moment with your loved ones, the people who motivated you all along. Remember: The good times are even better when they are shared, especially during a high school or college graduation photoshoot.

Your close family

Your folks are definitely proud of you, and they are probably the ones who pushed you to do a graduation photoshoot in the first place. So why not let them under the spotlight too? I mean, what better excuse to update your family photos? 😉

Photo: Sandro in San Francisco for Flytographer. Megan and family capture memories in San Francisco with a Graduation photoshoot at Crissy Field & Palace of Fine Arts.

Your best friend

With what’s ahead, you’re bound to make new friends. But that doesn’t mean you can’t keep the old ones. And inviting these good old friends to be in your graduation pictures can be a great reminder of this. Sharing this moment is a way of saying thank you to your best friend. This is also a great opportunity to try some unique female graduation poses with the help of your Flytographer! Besides, bestie photos are just plain awesome, especially in a graduation cap with confetti.

Photo: Flytographer in Washington. Lauren and friend capture memories in Washington with a Graduation photoshoot.

Members of the faculty

Yes, they go through it every year. But that doesn’t mean they’re not excited about you being a senior or college grad. Faculty members are part of your routine for a long time in high school or university, but you won’t be seeing much of them from now on. So having them in a photo session is an excellent souvenir and, again, a way of saying thank you for the support. 👍

Pets 

Let’s not forget our furry best friends. Aren’t they also there for you? Sometimes, they just sit by your side during those long studying hours as if comforting you. If you have a pet, you know how they help reduce anxiety and stress. And they’re great for graduation pictures too: They bring a cheerful vibe and help you to relax and be natural during the photo session. 🐕

4. Where to take graduation pictures: Find the best location

When choosing where to take graduation pictures, pick a location that tells your story, expresses where you want to go from now or conveys your personality. Let’s explore the best places to take graduation pictures! 🔍

On campus

It’s a classic! But that’s because it’s one of the best choices for grad photos. School and university campuses are beautiful, and you’ll want to remember them in graduation pictures. You can do it indoors or outdoors, at your sorority house or in your favourite study room, or maybe choose a piece of art to stand by. Here’s an idea: What about recreating your typical day at university or high school? 🤔

Out in nature

Are you an outdoorsy type? That’s great! Go out in the wild and make use of all the natural wonders around you for your outdoor graduation photoshoot. As we mentioned before, natural settings can be very diverse for graduation photos, create different moods and send strong messages.

Photo: Aly in Victoria for Flytographer. Ingrid and friends capture memories in Victoria with a Graduation photoshoot.

Around town

Or maybe you’re a true urbanite. That’s alright. The urban realm can also be awe inspiring and incredibly diverse for graduation photography. Once more, you can pick places that help to tell your story. Do you have a favourite view in town? Where do you usually go to think between high school classes? What’s your go-to café or bar to hang out with your classmates after a university lecture? Art walls are a particular Flytographer favourite — a great background to highlight playful and artsy grad photos. 👩‍🎨

Photo: Krystal in Paris for Flytographer. Shelly captures memories in Paris with a graduation photoshoot at Sacré Coeur & Montmartre. 

5. What to wear for your graduation photoshoot

Since it’s your graduation, you should wear a graduation cap and gown for your photoshoot, right? Wrong! Your graduation is not just about gown pictures. So, let’s think of alternative outfit tips for graduation photos and how to take grad photos in an outfit that best represents you!

Show your style

Know thyself is the maxim here. Let’s begin with what style you want to show with your grad outfits. Are you more of a classy person or unconventional and artsy? Maybe you’re a sporty casual type? The key is wearing something that makes you confident and brings out your personality. Check out our style guide for more tips on what to wear for your graduation photos.

Photo: Cheryl in Ft. Lauderdale for Flytographer. Kimberley captures memories in Ft. Lauderdale with a graduation photoshoot. 

Mix meaningful clothes and school accessories

You know that old sweater you wear in the library when it’s freezing inside? Or that lucky pair of jeans that helps you score in every exam? 👖 You can incorporate them into your grad outfit! You can always find original ways to mix them with more elegant pieces in pics during your photo session.

Mix cap and gown

There’s always room for tradition in grad and senior photos — but with a modern approach. The idea is to mix your gown pictures with your personal style for that extra touch related to the occasion. We just love the idea of throwing your graduation cap while you rock your favourite outfit during your graduation photoshoot!

Photo: Sehee in New York City for Flytographer. Sharelle captures memories in New York City with a Graduation photoshoot.

6. How do you look good in graduation pictures?

We’ve already got you covered with great tips for headshots and to look and feel fantastic on camera. Still, by now, you might be wondering how to take good graduation photos. One thing’s for sure: During your graduation photoshoot, all eyes will be on you, and your body language is vital to convey the right mood and attitude. It’s not an exact science, but here are some graduation photo tips and poses. 💁‍♀️

Happy and excited

Our Flytographers say that genuine happiness flows naturally and always makes for perfect portrait photography. And this occasion most certainly calls for a celebration, so feel free to jump, goof around or dance like no one’s watching like a graduation party all over again. Make sure to shine your most beautiful smile to show the world how happy you are to be a high school or college graduate. 😁

Photo: Flytographer in Orlando. Monica and family capture memories in Orlando with a Graduation photoshoot.

Confident and powerful

Your body can also give away how confident you are. As you step into a new life, this is a time for confidence. This is key for how to take good graduation photos! Gazing at the camera with an expansive pose, such as standing tall with an open chest and hands on your hips, is a great way to build connection and show aptitude in your pics. But don’t overdo it; you don’t want to come across as an intimidating person. Throw in a light smile, and your grad photos are good to go. 

Photo: Flytographer in Fort Worth. Divya captures memories in Fort Worth with a Graduation photoshoot.

Casual and cool

Casual photo poses also do the work. It’s okay to sit on the floor or on some steps with crossed legs. You can lean against a wall, play with your hair or stick your hands in your pockets. Just relax and act cool. Being at ease will help you have a natural-looking outcome from your graduation photoshoot. Your graduation photographer can even take some candid pics while you’re not aware — or partially aware. 😉 

Not everyone is at ease with the camera, but don’t overthink it. That’s why professional photographers are there. They will make you feel comfortable and give you the best graduation picture ideas. What’s important is for you to enjoy the photo session. Check out our ultimate posing guide for more tips!

Photo: Jacqueline in New York City for Flytographer. Debbie and family capture memories in New York City with a Graduation photoshoot at Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO.

Capturing Your Graduation Photoshoot

A lot to take in? Don’t stress. From San Francisco to Singapore, our local photographers can help you get your grad and senior picture ideas straight and guide you on what to do. Just book a Flytographer and enjoy your graduation photoshoot day. 🎉