Creative Graduation Photo Ideas

Graduations are a momentous occasion in which you celebrate a person’s academic success.

This is the perfect opportunity to take stunning photographs of the graduates, allowing you to show how proud of their success you are.

Creative Graduation Photo Ideas

Instead of taking the same old graduation photos, you can use this as a chance to take some unique graduation photos.

To fill you with inspiration, here are some of the most creative graduation photos.

1. Graduation Hat In The Air

The tossing of the graduation cap is a symbolic moment in a person’s life. It marks the celebration of their success.

This tradition is a great chance to take some fun photos. Namely, you should try to capture the graduate throwing their cap in the air.

This creates a striking image that perfectly captures the graduate’s glee.

The timing of this photo is crucial, as you will need to take it when the hat has been launched into the air but is still within the shot.

Consequently, you may need to take a few attempts to get the perfect shot, though this photo is worth the effort.

2. I’m Done Photo

When most people have graduated, they will feel a sense of accomplishment combined with the relief that they have finished their course.

To perfectly sum up these mixed feelings, you can take a creative photo in which the graduate holds a scroll reading “I’m done”.

When taking this photo, try to use the camera to focus on the scroll. Otherwise, it may be out of focus and might not be noticed by anyone who sees the photo.

This graduation photo is ideal for people who enjoy fun photos. Yet, it still represents the pride that a graduate will feel on their special day.

3. Back Of The Gown Graduation Photo

One of the most important components of graduation is the gown. This is an essential part of the academic regalia.

As a result, you should try to take stylish photos of the different parts of the graduation gap, including the back. This is a great way of showing off the details of the gown.

Every university will have a slightly different academic dress.

Namely, the color of the gown’s hood will be different for each academic institution. The best way of seeing this color is to take a photo from behind the student.

This is a modest shot that is ideal for camera-shy people.

4. Graduation Steps

Perfect for casual photos on graduation day, you can set up a simple shot by taking photographs on the steps of an academic institution.

This shot will work wonderfully if you find a building on the university campus with amazing architecture. Preferably, it should be set outdoors.

This is a great way of capturing the appearance of not just the graduate, but also the university itself.

5. Graduation Hat And Certificate

Not all graduation photos will need to include the students. Instead, you could take some creative pictures of the graduation cap, scroll, and books. This creates a slick and stylish image.

This shot is super simple to compose but will create the impression of professional photography.

6. Hats Off

If a group of friends is graduating, this is an outstanding opportunity to take some glorious group photos.

These photos will perfectly represent the close bond between the graduates and their shared pride.

One of the simplest photos that you can take is to show all of the graduates holding their scrolls and caps in the air.

This is a distinctive shot that groups of students will enjoy taking. Plus, they are ideal for sharing on social media.

7. Group Graduation Photoshoot

Aside from raising graduation caps and scrolls into the air, there are lots of other extraordinary ideas for group graduation photos.

For a more simple approach, simply gather a group of graduates and take a photo together.

To set this photo apart from other graduation images and make it slightly more creative, it is advised that you find a beautiful background.

Outdoor photoshoots will be especially charming. This will give you the chance to take a handful of photos in front of blossoming plants.

Try to take multiple photos so that you can achieve the perfect graduation image. Get the students to try different poses and take the shot from multiple angles.

8. Graduation Celebration


To perfectly capture the celebratory elements of a graduation ceremony, why not take an inspired and amusing photo with whatever beverage you fancy?

Sparkling drinks will work particularly effectively, as you can take photos as the bubbles explode, creating an incredibly carefree image.

Make sure that you time this shot perfectly, as you should ideally take it when the student first opens the bottle.

Burst modes will be one of the best camera settings to achieve this image. This is because they will take continuous shots, which will make the timing of the photo much simpler.

Remember to find a nice background to add to the aesthetics of this photoshoot.

9. Outdoor Graduation Photo

Finding the perfect place to take a graduation photo is essential.

Though the main attention of the photo will be on the student, the background nonetheless plays a crucial role in a high-quality image.

Outdoor photos will be exceptionally stunning if natural scenery and lighting are utilized.

This image is a great example of finding a great outdoor shot.

The greenery not only creates a pleasant piece of natural beauty but also acts as a framing device. As a result, it highlights the student while adding to the aesthetic of the composition.

10. Sunglasses Graduation Photo

If you are after a slick and stylish graduation photo, you should consider taking a picture whilst wearing the graduation regalia with sunglasses.

This will give the graduate a cool aesthetic that will set them apart from other graduation images.

This shot will appear particularly effortless on sunny days. When composing this shot, be sure to focus the camera on the graduate and pose them in front of a nice background.

Preferably, you should see the sun shining behind the graduates so that they are perfectly lit.

11. Fountain Graduation Photo

If you don’t mind getting a little wet, taking some graduation photos in a fountain can be fantastically fun.

A high-quality camera will be able to capture all of the droplets of water, which gives the image a cool and unique appearance.

This shot will work particularly well on campuses with a large fountain.

If you don’t want to get wet, you can still take awesome photographs in front of a fountain. These fountain photos are more casual and laid-back than more typical graduation photos.

12. Sitting Down Graduation Photo

Many graduation photos will involve having the student pose while they are standing up. To create a more relaxed image, simply get the student to sit down.

Graduation can be a long day, so it makes sense to let the graduate relax for a little bit.

Plus, you can take some more authentic-looking photos when sitting down. These images will look less forced and posed than other graduation pictures.

13. Laughing Graduation Photo

Though graduations are significant occasions, this doesn’t mean that they cannot be fun.

To make the graduation ceremony a little lighter, you might want to take some fun photos of the graduate laughing.

This will create the impression of a natural or candid photo. These images tend to be particularly beloved on social media.

14. Smart Graduation Photo

Smart clothes are an essential part of graduation. Consequently, you may want to show off the stylish wardrobe of the graduate when taking photos.

This pose is a great way of showcasing this clothing. Additionally, it creates a slick pose that works wonderfully.

This pose works best when paired with an academic backdrop, such as in front of a university building.

15. Relaxed Graduation Photo

For a less formal graduation photo, you can take pictures of the graduates with their caps in their hands instead of on top of their heads.

The causal nature of this photo is also applied to the pose. The model is standing against a post, creating a relaxed yet suave look.

16. Jumping Graduation Photo

Lastly, you can easily take a creative graduation picture by having the student jump and then take the photo while they are in mid-air.

It makes the student look as though they are jumping for joy. The burst mode on your camera will be a useful tool to help perfect this shot.

This graduation photo is especially fun, as the university’s mascot has also joined the photoshoot.

Therefore, it perfectly captures the graduate’s school pride. Not to mention, it creates an amusing photo that is unique from other graduation images.

A jumping graduation photo can be achieved with a single student or an entire group.

Final Thoughts

A person’s graduation is often one of the biggest events in their life.

To help remember this event for years to come, remember to take innovative photos of the graduates. If you copy some of these ideas, you are sure to create some phenomenal graduation photos.

Laura McNeill
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