The Number One Must-have Graduation Picture

You only graduate once from high school, so you need to get a classic headshot. This is an elbows-up image, and you should wear the whole graduation outfit- cap, gown, tassel and any special cords or pins you have. You can sit, stand, turn and look over your shoulder, but get at least one photo you love with your cap on your head, and the gown on, too- but you don't have to wear it zipped.

A graduate in green academic regalia and white stole with wavy hair poses against a wooden background.
Graduate wearing emerald green cap and gown with white stole poses outdoors on sunny day for graduation photo.
Graduate in emerald green cap and gown poses outdoors with a white sash during a sunny fall day.
Graduate in emerald green cap and gown sits smiling on stone steps of a building during graduation.
A graduate in an emerald green cap and gown with silver tassel smiles while posing against spring blossoms.
A graduate in green cap and gown with a silver tassel poses for a photo on concrete steps.
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The Essential Gradutaion photo Poses:

  • Celebrate! Laugh, toss your hat, flex, do a kick.. make this a full-body in motion photo
  • Power walk: Stride toward the camera.
  • Going Places: Walk away from the camera and look over your shoulder at the camera.
  • Hat in hand, no gown: show off your grad outfit.
  • Hat in hand, gown on. If you don't love the classic cap, take pictures in everything else... but the cap.
Graduates in green caps and gowns toss their mortarboards in celebration outside their school building.
Three graduates in emerald green robes celebrate under blooming cherry blossoms by a stone church with stained glass windows.
Two graduates in green caps and gowns hold signs reading 'I'm Done' and 'Just Starting' while walking down a path.
A group stands against a colorful floral mural wall wearing white outfits with green jackets.
Graduates in green caps and gowns pose playfully on a playground slide during a celebratory photoshoot.
Three women in white dresses hold up green signs while standing on grass near blooming lilac bushes in a garden setting.

Fun Ideas and Props for Graduation Photos:

  • Wear your college tee- show it off!
  • Bring your decorated grad cap.
  • Confetti: No instructions needed.
  • Bubbles, sunglasses, balloons are all fun.
  • Be ready to smile! These are celebration photos, so bring your confidence!
Graduate in white dress celebrates with green cap against stone building exterior on sunny day.
Graduate in emerald green cap and gown reveals Central university t-shirt during outdoor photo session at sunset.
Person in green graduation gown holding a decorative clock sign with 'This Time' written on it.
Graduate in green cap and gown celebrating with raised diploma in alleyway between brick buildings.
Graduate wearing emerald green cap and gown with Michigan Engineering t-shirt smiles joyfully against neutral wall.
Green graduation cap and gown worn by graduate celebrating with confetti flying in joyful pose against wall.
Graduation photo showing someone in emerald green cap and gown wearing heart sunglasses and making silly face with cherry blossoms behind.
Two students in green graduation gowns hold contrasting signs reading 'Just Starting' and 'I'm Done' outdoors in autumn.
Two graduates in green caps and gowns sit together on stone steps during commencement ceremonies.
Three graduates wearing green commencement robes and holding diplomas pose together under blooming cherry trees.
Two people in green graduation caps and gowns posing for a playful photo outdoors on graduation day.
A group of graduates in green caps and gowns walk together on a path while one jumps joyfully for a photo.
Two graduates in green caps and gowns celebrate with confetti falling around them against white background.

Locations for High School Graduation Photoshoot

  • Your School: It may or may not be your aestheic, but this is one time to go for the meaning, instead of the appearance. However, a good photographer will find a way to make any school look nice.
  • A local park- this is great for golden hour glow, spring blooms, and general good location vibes.
  • The beach- if you want the wild and free, barefoot and windswept look, go for it. But no confetti, or balloons!
  • Downtown- you can find a solid wall in a color that looks great with your cap and gown, and get a clean, modern look to your pictures.
  • Really, for your graduation, what matters is the event, and the people celebrating with you- wherever you go, you'll love the pictures.