The sweetest graduation picture ideas for guys & girls to recreate!
This post is all about graduation picture ideas.
Graduation is a huge accomplishment. Whether you’re graduating from high school, college, law school, or anything else, you need to celebrate your huge achievements! Here are some uniquegraduation picture ideasthat you’ll want to hang onto for a lifetime.
I’ve scoured the internet for the best grad photo ideas out there, so believe me when I tell you that the ones in this post are the best of the best!!
From classic senior portraits to creative graduation photo ideas, all of these photos capture the excitement ofgraduatingand your school spirit.
When I was preparing to graduate college, I was SO excited to get my photo shoot done. I didn’t want to settle for the basic photography studio grad pics (although there’s nothing wrong with those). I wanted to make sure that I captured some poses and locations that really represented my college experience.
As I was putting together my own Pinterest board of graduation picture ideas, I thought, why not also put these in a blog post so that other people don’t have to spend hours scouring the internet for the best ideas?! So, I’ve compiled a list of the best photo ideas I could find! Whether you’re hiring professional grad photographers or just getting a friend to take your photos, you’ll be happier with the outcome of your photo shoot if you go in prepared.
This graduation photo list has everything from casual photos to portraits, from professional to artistic… So I’m positive you’ll find something on here that will suit your personality, your college experience, and your taste!
These graduation picture ideas are a great way to pay tribute to your school and celebrate the specific journey you had there.
This post is all about graduation picture ideas.
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GRADUATION PICTURE IDEAS:
1. Throwing your grad cap in front of your campus
This pose of throwing your graduation cap in front of your college campus is the best way to capture your special moment while showcasing where you went to college. This is the type of photo that all your family members will want to frame!
2. The celebration photo
It’s important to capture different angles and facial expressions, and this fun graduation picture idea does the job!! I think this is such a cute way to showcase how happy and proud you are of yourself.
3. Holding your cap by your legs
This is such a simple pose but still a unique idea that will help showcase all your hard work!
4. Walking up the stairs with your gown over your shoulder
I used this idea for my senior photo session. This is one of the most classic poses that creates a photo you’ll never tire of!
5. The peek over your shoulder photo
Honestly, how cute is this?! Such a simple but memorable photo!
6. Looking to the side and smiling
You need to make sure you get some classic senior photos in your photo shoot. Pick a pathway or open space and get this traditional senior portrait.
7. Holding up a childhood photo
This is one of the most unique senior picture ideas and so sentimental!
8. Spraying champagne
It’s not a classic graduation photo shoot unless you’ve got a bottle of champagne, right!?
9. Holding hands with your BFF
This is the perfect pose to do with your BFF. There’s no better way to pay tribute to all the fun memories you created together in college! You could even do this pose with a whole group of friends.
10. Middle of the road grad cap throw
Kiss your senior year goodbye by throwing your cap for a photo in the middle of a pretty pathway or road on campus!
11. The nod and laugh
This is such a great photo to take with a professional photographer. It’ll capture your personality, your pride, and your special occasion!
12. The smiley headshot
Graduation images are not complete without one classic headshot like this!
13. Hanging out near a state landmark
Grab a photo at one of the best locations near where you went to school!
Think about your time in college. Where did you spend lots of your time? Or what popular landmarks would help you showcase your school or state? Finding the best places near your school is an excellent way to remember where you’ve spent the last several years of your life.
14. Pile of books + grad cap
This is one of the most creative ideas and such a cute way to remember all that time spent studying and learning.
15. The walking grad photo
I love this fast-paced graduation day photo because that’s how college feels… busy and action-filled all the time.
16. Snap a photo with your pooch
This is one of the best ideas to bring your pet into your grad pics!! I mean seriously, you’ll never get enough of these photos!
17. The symmetrical on-campus photo
I love this classic photo and it’s the perfect pic to snap before or after your graduation ceremony.
18. Grad cap in the air
Although this is one of those graduation picture ideas that doesn’t actually have your face in it, it’s important to have different styles of photos for your senior grad pictures. This is a good way to get some artsy pics in!
19. Throwing your cap from a low angle
Remember, it’s important to get different angles so you have a lot of memories!
20. Smiling at your bestie
This would also be a great idea for a group photo!
21. The stadium photo
Omg, how cute is this!? If you were on a sports team or a cheerleader, this is such a good idea.
22. Hugging your best friends
This is actually one of the best senior picture ideas to get a memorable shot with your best friends. So cute!!
23. Walking with your best friends
I loooveee this classic walking photo. This would be the perfect photo to do at golden hour to make it even dreamier!
24. The walking away photo
I think this is such a great photo idea to add to your senior pics list because it really feels like it marks the end of an era!
25. The getting ready photo
Don’t just capture the posed photos… capture all the memorable moments of your graduation day!
26. The sneak a kiss photo
This is such a cute relationship photo if you and your significant other are graduating at the same time!
27. A photo of you taking a selfie with your family
Your family is celebrating too, so why not get your senior portrait photographer to get a picture of you taking a selfie with them?! This is so casual and cute!
28. A photo of your parents kissing you on each cheek
I’m obsessed with this cute family grad photo!
29. Relaxed pose on the stairs
This is one of the simplest pictures to add to your graduation photoshoot!
30. Looking into the future
This is such a professional looking pose to add to your graduation pictures. This would be perfect for a post on LinkedIn about what you’ll be doing next!
31. A tassle photo
This tassle photo is such a creative way to pay tribute to the year you graduated! I recreated this one at my graduation photo shoot as well.
32. The serious photo
If you want variety in your grad photos, it’s important not just to get the smiling photos, but also more serious photos. Find a beautiful setting on your college campus and get a photo like this!
33. The bridge photo
I love this unique graduation photography idea!!
34. The look-back photo
This look-back photo is so classy… and even classier if you find some stone walls or a brick wall for your setting!
35. Throwing your cap with your besties
Another besties photo to add to your grad session!
36. Throwing your cap at the camera
Find your favorite spot on campus and recreate this photo!
37. The city girl photo
If you went to college in the city, you’ve got to find a classic city backdrop for your senior photo poses!
38. The far away photo in front of campus
This photo idea is even better if you find some way to incorporate the great outdoors into the backdrop. I love the way this girl found a setting that included both her college campus and the beautiful scenery!
39. Standing on a stack of books
Even though this one won’t capture your face, I think it’s such a creative and unique idea!
40. Leaning on a stack of books
This is such a great way to repurpose your old textbooks to make memories of your special day!
41. The relaxed, “chilling on campus” photo
If you’re looking for casual graduation photo poses, this is the perfect pic to recreate.
42. The jumping photo
Hoping to get some unique photos? Find a scenic backdrop and recreate this jumping photo!
43. Kiss on the cheek photo
This is such a cute photo to get with your significant other!
44. The landscape cap throw
You can never throw your cap too many times on your graduation day!!
45. The casual grad photo
If you’re looking for some variety, try a casual pose like this with a professional portrait photographer.
46. The hands in the air photo
This is the perfect pic to capture your overall look for graduation and it’s a great one for Instagram!
47. Smiling and hugging your family
If you’re looking for photo ideas you can take with family members, this one is so candid and cute.
48. Eating the snack that got you through your degree
We all have a go-to study snack that single-handedly got us through every exam season. Your grad photo shoot is the perfect time to capture that memory… and WAY more fun than actually studying!!
49. The “I’m Done” photo
This simple pose is great for college seniors who are ready to move on!
50. The beachy photo
The beach is a great place to capture a whimsical and fun grad photo like this.
51. The scenic cap throw photo
Find a gorgeous spot on campus to take another cap throw picture!! Like I said, you can never have too many!
52. Peeking from behind your grad cap
This is one of my favorite graduation picture ideas that I got at my grad photo shoot. I love how it turned out!
53. Tassel on the left
I loved this picture from my graduation photo shoot, too. It’s a simple photo of the back of my head with the tassle on the left to indicate that I successfully finished my career as a student!
More graduation photo ideas
Graduation is such an exciting time, and there are so many opportunities when it comes to graduation picture ideas. Follow my graduation photo Pinterest board where I’m always adding new ideas you can recreate!
And if you’re preparing for graduation, you’ll also want to check out these ideas on 15 memorable grad party ideas you’ll absolutely love. Don’t stop your celebrations at a photo shoot — there’s no better way to pat yourself on the back than with a fun and well-planned graduation party!!
Which graduation picture ideas are you going to recreate?
This post was all about graduation picture ideas.
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