Graduating is a huge achievement, and certainly something to celebrate. Whether it’s your graduation or that of a loved one, it goes without saying you’ll want to commemorate the occasion with a few graduation ceremony pictures. You might be thinking of posting on Instagram, setting up a pride of place picture-frame, or simply pulling together a keepsake album – to give you a tangible reminder of all that hard work, and how far you or they have come.

Regardless of whether you’re taking your own photos or arranging a professional graduation photoshoot, it’s useful to have some graduation photoshoot ideas in your back pocket, so you’re well prepared for the big day.

Continue reading to discover some creative graduation ceremony picture ideas, and general advice for the big occasion, with Adobe Express.

Getting ‘photogenic’ - what to wear to graduation.

You'll want to dress to impress for your graduation. While your cap and gown are, of course, key parts of the graduation get-up, they’re usually in the university’s control in terms of style and design. Some departments, year groups and courses may even have different colours.

When it comes to the outfit underneath your cap and gown, however– or what your friends and family are wearing – the choice is all yours. Clean-cut suits or dresses, snazzy two-piece sets or something much more personal to you; what matters is that you feel at your best and comfortable – especially if you plan on taking graduation photos. Just remember to check if there is a certain dress code first.

There are a few other things to bear in mind when selecting your grad outfit. For one, remember it’s a formal occasion, and a chance to get smart, so opt for something polished and well put-together, like a midi dress or collared shirt with suit trousers.

Secondly, try to select colours that will complement your cap and gown – the last thing you want is to realise the colours and styles clash last minute. Finding out what colours the cap and gowns are set to be will go a long way.

Here are a few ideas of what you could wear for your graduation photoshoot:

• A full suit. A great option if you want to go all out. Go for a waist-coat too, if you really want to impress.
• Shirt, tie and trousers. A classic option ideal for graduations taking place in the summer.
• Summer dress. Another light and stylish choice ideal for warm summer weather.
• Formal dress. An elegant, timeless option that’ll make your feel poised and professional.
• Midi dress – Versatile and stylish, this is a popular choice for graduation across all seasons.
• Blazer two-piece – An ultra-chic and modern look to keep you poised and photo-ready.

Choosing a suitable outfit that you’re comfortable in will give you the confidence you need to really nail your graduation photoshoot. You could even then upload professional-looking photos onto career sites like LinkedIn, providing the poses are formal and respectable on those you select.

15 creative graduation photoshoot ideas.

Now your outfit’s sorted, it’s time to think about poses for your graduation photos. These will help you capture this all-important moment in an even more special way.

Grab your designated photographer, head to an aesthetically pleasing spot with good lighting, and try out a few of these graduation picture pose ideas:

1. Classic cap throw.

At the top of our list is the classic ‘cap in the air’ pose. A real go-to for most graduates, this pose symbolises joy, freedom and success all in one. Do it on your own or grab some of your fellow graduates for a group picture. All you have to do is find the right backdrop, take your mortar board off and throw it sky-wards – then it’s up to your photographer to take a snap at just the right time.

2. Celebration pose.

This is one you can really have fun with. Your celebration pose can be unique to you – whether it’s a throw of the arms, a signature dance, or a collective cheering roar with friends, simply show your joy at this huge achievement – you earned it after all.

3. Group photo.

Don’t forget to take a group photo with all your course comrades to celebrate your shared accomplishments. You may have powered through tough assignments together, spent long days in the library and even longer nights out, so be sure to take a snap together to mark the moment; capturing a picture you can all treasure and reminisce around for years to come.

4. Keep it simple.

There’s nothing wrong with opting for a more straight-forward, simple approach for your graduation ceremony pictures. You can choose to just stand there looking proud and poised, give a big or subtle smile, or hold your degree/diploma to show off what you’ve accomplished.

5. Family hug.

Your graduation is a day of pride for you and your loved ones. If your family accompany you to the ceremony, make sure you take a picture of you all together to capture the moment. Get close together for a group embrace – ideal for something to frame, and hang on a wall in the family home.

6. Classy candids.

With your smart, formal outfit you’re bound to look classy. For the candids, which capture you in non-posed moments, what’s snapped is up to the photographer. These will usually include ‘natural photos’ of you speaking to others, and reflecting quietly as you’re enjoying your special day. Of course, one of the best opportunities for a classic candid pic is your walk on the way to picking up your degree or diploma, and the short exchange between you and the event speaker or host.

7. Mid-air posing.

A fun and energetic graduation pose to try, you can really show how over the moon you are about your achievement with this one. As with the cap-throw, timing is everything with this pose, so make sure your photographer is up for the challenge. Jump and give your best pose mid-air as you take a leap of faith into the next chapter of your life. Bonus points for getting a group to time a jump together.

8. Photos from the ground.

Grab a group of your fellow graduates and stand in a circle, positioned above the camera – then throw your caps in the air or hold them high to capture this pose perfectly. This angle gives a more powerful perspective and offers a more dramatic shot, providing a slightly more unique photo for you all to look back on.

9. Failsafe selfies.

A selfie is the kind of quick and fun option that also gives you full control over the result. Swift and personal, selfies offer a real time capsule of the moment and they can be taken with a touch of a button – no photographer needed. Stand by yourself to capture a special moment during the graduation ceremony, or encourage some of your best pals to get in the frame with you.

10. Champagne pop.

One for the after-celebrations, a champagne pop photo is a popular way to mark the occasion and capture the sense of joy and excitement. Pick up a bottle of your favourite bubbly (prosecco is OK too!), head to a clear, open space, then carefully pop the cork – making sure your dedicated photographer is on hand taking pictures throughout.

11. Over the shoulder.

This is a great shot to take, especially if the university building or grounds are in the backdrop. Stand confidently then turn your head towards the camera and give a proud smile. You can even add a pop of the leg if that’s your style. This is one graduation picture idea that also offers you the chance to show off any unique details at the back of your gown or personal outfit.

12. Gown shot.

A sophisticated and creative graduation photoshoot idea, this shot lets you show off that cap and gown you worked so hard for. Throw your gown over your shoulder and let it flow in all its glory behind you as you look back with pride and joy; your cap placed in your other hand. Either look directly at the gown with glee or at the camera with a smile.

13. Cap raise.

A simple yet powerful graduation pose, the cap raise lets you capture yourself immersed in the spirit of achievement. Hold your cap high to show what you’ve accomplished, then look poised and proud.

14. In front of a landmark.

Capture yourself taking one last look at a key university landmark where significant moments took place – from lectures to study sessions, or quick coffee breaks with friends. Stand in front of the building or place with a powerful stance, either looking directly at the camera or back at the landmark with fondness. You can even ask the photographer to take a low angle shot for a more powerful image, and to ensure you get the full backdrop in the frame.

15. Next to the university sign.

Another important “where it all happened” shot, this graduation picture pose lets you mark where your study story all began. Stand proudly next to it and smile, or lean on it gently with a look of joy. Get a few snaps on your own, then grab some friends to join you for a group shot.

Important things to remember on graduation day.

With all the excitement surrounding a graduation, it can be easy to overlook a few important details. To help avoid that, we’ve put together a useful checklist of things to remember, especially when it comes to getting those graduation photo ideas right:

• Plan your locations.
  Put together a list of places you want to take pictures at, in advance. This can include classic locations like the university sign, but also more personal ones such as the spot where you and a friend first met, or a favourite place to picnic.
• Have a shot list in mind.
  Pick a few of your favourite poses from the section above, and think about where you’d like to take them.
• Know the day’s schedule.
  Your university should provide you with a plan for the event, with times. Make sure you have this, then plan your graduation photoshoot around the key events. Some pictures may be needed during certain specific moments, others more flexibly before or after.
• Check the weather.
  Don’t let the elements take you by surprise! Make note of when the sun will be out (if at all) so you can make the most of the natural light. You should also look out for any showers that are predicted, so you can try to avoid your graduation picture poses being rudely interrupted by a downpour.
• Bring along any camera accessories.
  If the weather’s not looking particularly bright, make sure you carry an additional light-source so you can still snap some good shots. You can also bring along a tripod or zoom lens for even more versatile and professional photos.

How can Adobe Express help you make the most of your graduation memories?

You can really bring your graduation picture ideas to life with the help of Adobe Express. Turn them into delightful social albums for instant clout, or make creative designs and keepsakes that you can treasure forever.

Using free Adobe Express tools for your graduation ceremony pictures can allow you to:

1. Create the perfect graduation card.

Make a card to send to friends and family who might not have been able to attend your special day. You could also pick a group photo and send to everyone featured in the picture, or create one for yourself as a keepsake.

2. Transform your graduation snaps into a photo collage.

If you’ve got too many amazing gradation pictures to choose just one, why not make a collage with them all? Bring your best memories of the day together, and share with others so they can reminisce too.

3. Send stunning invitations for a graduation party.

If you’ve got a big grad party planned after the fact, it’s the perfect opportunity to show off your graduation pictures with personalised invitations. Grab your best selfie or solo-shot and place it on invites to send to your friends and family.

4. Make a graduation scrapbook.

Put together a graduation scrapbook to commemorate your time at university from start to finish. Include everything from your first night out to flat parties, study groups and the big day itself – this is a great way to look back on all those precious memories.

5. Post your graduation shots on social media.

Pick some of your favourite pictures from your graduation and shout about your great achievement on social media. Upload a post with a fun caption (“One degree hotter”?) and show everyone some of your best graduation photo poses.

Resize your graduation photos to suit all platforms with AI tools from Adobe Express.

Once you’ve picked your favourite graduation photos, you’ll want to share them far and wide – and you can do just that with the help of Adobe Express’s AI Image Resizer.

Create alternative, customised versions of your grad pictures – you can even print them on cards, posters, commemorative t-shirts and much more. Edit them to create perfect posts for social media – helping you get that LinkedIn picture or Instagram Reel just right.

All you have to do is upload your image, choose the right size, and watch as our innovative AI tool does its thing. Once you’re happy with your photo, simply save, share and post as you wish.

Try Adobe Express for free now

Good to know.

What is the best colour to wear for graduation photos?

Simple black and white are popular colours for graduations, as they go with just about anything, signal formality, and are very ‘classic’. However, the best colour to wear for your graduation will actually depend on the colour of your gown. Check with your university to confirm what colour the gowns will be, and this will help you decide.

Should you smile in graduation photos?

Yes, it’s a great idea to smile at your graduation as graduating is a huge achievement. Smiling in photos will help you remember how joyful the day was, and give you a sense of pride whenever you look back at the memories.

What is the best pose for graduation photos?

There are plenty of creative graduation picture pose ideas for you to choose from. Some of the most popular are the classic cap throw, friend groups leaping in unison, or a simple look back over the shoulder, showing off that all-important gown. Just remember to go for a set of poses you feel most comfortable doing.

Is Adobe Express free?

Yes, our free plan offers many core features, including thousands of templates, photo editing and effects, animation, and 5 GB of storage. See our pricing page for details and to compare plans.