With graduation season on the horizon, it’s time to start thinking about your graduation photoshoot! Let’s be honest, in the Instagram era, if you don’t have a graduation photoshoot, did you even graduate?! Especially with most universities cancelling formal, in-person graduation ceremonies this year, graduation photoshoots will likely be a fun way for you to commemorate your hard work in school over the past few years.
After high school, I spent a lot of time in higher education – nine years to be exact including college and graduate school. So when it came time for my medical school and business school graduations, I spent what felt like another nine years researching photoshoot ideas on my Pinterest board!
I took most of my graduation photos outside, and I hired someone to take most of the pictures. However, I also had help from friends with my pictures for my graduation photoshoot. A lot of the pictures I took can be adapted for at-home shoots, with just a smartphone and some props from Amazon!
Click here to see my Amazon list of graduation photoshoot essentials
To help save you the headache of coming up with graduation photoshoot ideas, I’ve compiled some graduation photoshoot ideas below!
Say it with a sign
Signs are a great way to showcase your accomplishments in your graduation photoshoot, especially if you’re graduating with multiple degrees. Signs are also versatile and reusable for future events or even home decor!
Shop my graduation photoshoot props
Click here to see my Amazon list of graduation photoshoot essentials
Signs:
Balloons:
Clothing:
- Standard Graduation Cap (Shop)
- Doctoral Graduation Cap (Shop)
- Standard Graduation Gown (Shop)
- Doctoral Graduation Gown (Shop)
- Jumpsuits (Shop)
- Statement Necklace (Shop)
Use Iconic Landmarks In Your City
Regardless of your location, there are bound to be city landmarks. Iconic landmarks make for great graduation photoshoot locations, and they’ll remind you of the time you spent enjoying the city while in school! I took advantage of Philly’s beautiful City Hall and the iconic Rocky Steps for my graduation photoshoot.
Given current stay-at-home orders, it might be best to hold off on these pictures for now. But you should definitely keep them in mind for later on!
Show some love
Shop my graduation photoshoot props
Click here to see my Amazon list of graduation photoshoot essentialsClick here to see my Amazon list of graduation photoshoot essentials
Signs:
Balloons:
Clothing:
- Standard Graduation Cap (Shop)
- Doctoral Graduation Cap (Shop)
- Standard Graduation Gown (Shop)
- Doctoral Graduation Gown (Shop)
- Jumpsuits (Shop)
- Statement Necklace (Shop)
Cap Toss
The process of tossing the cap can help you simulate the graduation experience. These photos look great and are a ton of fun to try. It’s a lot harder than it looks!
Find Memorable On-Campus Locations
I walked past this sign on the UPenn campus hundreds of times on my walk to or from school. Taking a picture here solidifies some great memories of talking to friends or family on my walks.
Fun Graduation Photoshoot Background
Spell It Out
Up Close and Personal
Shop my graduation photoshoot props
Click here to see my Amazon list of graduation photoshoot essentials
Signs:
Balloons:
Clothing:
- Standard Graduation Cap (Shop)
- Doctoral Graduation Cap (Shop)
- Standard Graduation Gown (Shop)
- Doctoral Graduation Gown (Shop)
- Jumpsuits (Shop)
- Statement Necklace (Shop)
Dr. Atasha Jordan is an Ivy League-trained psychiatry resident and businesswoman. Learn more about Dr. Jordan here. Feel free to send a message and subscribe to the newsletter!
