By Francisco Vilton ·
Graduation photos mark years of work, and they end up on announcements, social media and the family wall. A little planning turns a quick snapshot into a set of photos that really tells your story. Here are the ideas our graduates in Dover ask for most.
Classic cap and gown shots
- A full-length portrait in cap and gown, standing tall and confident.
- A close-up portrait with the tassel and a genuine smile.
- Holding the diploma cover or diploma frame.
- Looking over your shoulder, walking away towards the future.
- The cap toss. It takes a few tries, and the outtakes are often the best photos.
Show off the details
Stoles, cords, medals and pins represent real achievements: honours, organisations, service and heritage. Ask for close-ups of each one. A decorated cap deserves its own photo too, held up to the camera or photographed from above.
Tell your story with props
- Your school or university sweatshirt for a casual outfit change.
- Textbooks, a laptop, a stethoscope, or tools from your field.
- A flag that represents your heritage.
- Balloons or numbers showing your graduation year.
- Flowers or a bouquet, especially for outdoor sessions.
- A sports uniform, instrument or anything that defined your school years.
Bring the people who got you here
Some of the most meaningful graduation photos are with parents, grandparents, siblings and the friends who studied with you. Plan the last part of your session for family and group shots, and a friends' session if you are graduating together.
Where to take graduation photos in Dover
Your own campus is the obvious choice: the entrance sign, a favourite building or the place you spent the most time. Around Dover, the Delaware State University campus, Legislative Mall and The Green all give a classic, academic look. For something softer and more natural, try a park with trees and open light. Our guide to the best photo spots in Dover has more ideas.
Studio or outdoors?
Outdoor sessions give natural light and real places that mean something. Studio sessions give a clean, polished look in any weather, which helps in an unpredictable Delaware spring. Many graduates do both: a short studio portrait for formal use and an outdoor session for everything else.
When to book graduation photos
Book four to six weeks before your ceremony, and earlier if you graduate in May, when dates fill fast. Taking photos a week or two before graduation day means you have them in time for announcements and parties. Make sure your cap, gown and stoles have arrived and are steamed before the session.
Ready to book?
Most graduates book an outdoor session, which starts at $230, or a quick $125 Mini Portrait Session in the studio. See our graduation photography sessions in Dover for everything that is included.
