Senior Graduation Portrait Ideas from Seasoned Photographers

As you prepare to embark on the next chapter of your life, it's time to commemorate your academic achievements and celebrate your success with stunning graduation portraits. Below are some tips and tricks for making your photos stand out and some inspiration from some real-life seniors we've had the honor of photographing over the years. Each of these graduates brought their unique personality and accomplishments to their sessions, creating lasting memories that capture the essence of their success and joy. Lemaire Photography is here to guide you through the process and help you create memorable images that reflect your unique personality and experiences. Here are some graduation photography ideas to inspire your shoot:

Showcase Your Style in Your Portrait Session

Infuse your personality and style into your graduation portraits by choosing outfits that make you feel confident and reflect your individuality. Whether it's a classic look or a bold statement, your clothing choices can add a personal touch to your photos.

Location, Location, Senior Portrait Location

Select a location that holds special meaning for you. Whether it's the campus where you spent countless hours studying, a scenic outdoor portrait spot that you love (eh hem, Tahoe portraits, anyone?), or a cultural landmark that resonates with you, the backdrop can enhance the storytelling aspect of your portraits.

Add Personal Touches to your Portrait 

Incorporate props or accessories that symbolize your journey, passions, or future aspirations. Whether it's a musical instrument, sports equipment, or a favorite book, these items can add depth and meaning to your portraits. Talk to Danny and Shelley about what matters to you and they can help find meaningful ways to add them into your customized photo Portrait session.

Traditional Cap and Gown Portraits

Embrace the timeless tradition of cap and gown portraits to mark your graduation milestone. The classic attire symbolizes your academic achievement and serves as a poignant reminder of your hard work and dedication throughout your educational journey. Let Lemaire Photography capture the elegance and significance of this moment in striking portraits that you'll treasure for years to come.

Best Friend Graduation Portraits

Celebrate the bond of friendship with a best friends photoshoot to commemorate your shared high school experiences and the support you've provided each other along the way. Whether you've been friends since kindergarten or met in high school, capturing your friendship in a special photoshoot will create memories that you'll cherish for a lifetime. Let Lemaire Photography capture the laughter, camaraderie, and love between you and your best friends in a fun and heartwarming session.

Pet Senior Graduation Portraits

Speaking of best friends, we have had some senior graduates who wanted their photoshoot to include their favorite four-legged friends. And we figure, why not include your furry companion in your graduation celebration. Adding your adorable friend to your shoot can help add an extra special touch of joy to the images. We can help you to capture some heartwarming photos that showcase the love and bond between you and your pet during this time in your life.

Graduation + Family Portraits Special

Celebrate your achievements with our exclusive Senior Portraits + Family Portraits Special. Our personalized senior portrait sessions (with the added benefit of family photography) will showcase your unique personality and style, while our family portrait session will capture the love and support that has guided you along the way. This package is perfect for the reluctant senior who may or may not be getting their portraits done because they know mom wants them. This gets the senior graduation portraits done AND wraps in one last family portrait session to commemorate the moment. Let us help you create lasting memories that you'll cherish for years to come.

Real-Life Senior Graduate Examples

As you prepare to commemorate your academic achievements and celebrate your journey through graduation portraits, let these real-life stories of seniors we've had the honor of photographing inspire you. Each of these graduates brought their unique personality and accomplishments to their sessions, creating lasting memories that capture the essence of their success and joy.

Mason, Senior Graduate Portraits

We had so much fun with Mason. He inspired us to add another category of senior portraits to this very list- Senior graduation pet portraits. If you are a busy grad, you’re going to want to fit in a pet portrait of your favorite furry friend, a family photo and a grad photo all in one session. Mason, you’re an inspiration.

Azzy and Olivia, Senior Graduate Sibling Portraits

Step-sisters Azzy and Olivia share a beautiful bond that shone through during their graduation portraits session. From the fun hair and makeup process to the confidence they exuded, their personalities lit up the photographs, reflecting their close relationship and unique spirits. They had us in stitches with their adorable poses and humor.

McKensie, Senior Graduate Portraits

Mckensie is from central California, but her mom grew up in the Reno area and Tahoe has a special place in her heart. It was really important to Mckensie that she have Tahoe in her senior portraits. Her busy soccer schedule kept her from making it here until November (fun fact: Mckensie plays on not one but two soccer teams, both of which were in state championships). Because of this, Mckensie had to brave the cold to capture these shots. Even though it was chilly, she was a great sport and we were able to capture tons of amazing fall senior portraits.

Mia, Senior Graduate Portraits

Homeschooled go-kart racer Mia brought her fun and beautiful personality to her session. Her energy and vibe really allowed us to showcase her passion and zest for life in every photograph.

Luke, Family photos to Senior Graduate Portraits

Oh sweet Luke, the Lemaire’s own son. Our beautiful boy is (unfathomably) 18 years old and graduating! He was just 2 ½ years old when we first started our photography career so his photo collection has been a long time in the making. A natural leader following his passion for racing, Luke's session captured his charisma and determination, highlighting his bright future ahead. Luke wanted to showcase his driving passion and we caught some beautiful shots of him in downtown Reno. He has grown up from being out little pumpkin into such a remarkable young man - we couldn’t be more proud!

Jackson, Senior Graduate Swimming Portraits

Jackson is graduating from Reed High School in the top 20 of his class with a 4.55 GPA. He has swam competitively since the age of 7 and will continue at the DII college level at UC Irvine in the fall. Jackson is one of those kids we’ve been photographing since long before high school! We were so excited to celebrate his high school graduation with some portraits commemorating his love for swimming. His dedication to swimming and academic success shines through in his story.

Ryan, Senior Graduate SWimming Portraits

Swimmer Ryan, is graduating from the PLTW Engineering 4 year program at Coral Academy and heading to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He has studied Jujitsu for 12 years, and has a second degree black belt. He has been swimming for 14 years, and 6+ of those years have been competitive for Lakeridge Swim Team.  Ryan started out with Silver Bear & also swam for Galena Swim Team.  Ryan is such a sweet kid and his mom wanted to commemorate this big moment in her only child’s life with some beautiful prints that will hang as wall art in their home for years to come.

Maddie, Winter, Spring, summer & Fall Graduate Portraits

Maddie is quite the accomplished young woman. She’s a skier, a rock climber, and she took four years of graphic design. As such, she wanted to capture this time of her life across all four seasions. This four-session journey throughout her senior year, captures her love for skiing, rock climbing, and graphic design. Graduating from Carson City High and heading to Colorado Mesa University, Maddie's story is a testament to her diverse interests and vibrant spirit.

Ready to capture this moment in time? 

Contact us today to book your senior portraits and family photoshoot!

Let Lemaire Photography help you create lasting memories and beautiful portraits that celebrate this moment in your life. Get in touch with us or reach out to set up a discovery call.