So you’re about to graduate from JMU after working so hard for your degree… Congratulations!! Now all you have to decide is whether or not you want to take photos that commemorate the time you spent grinding for your diploma (hint hint: you definitely should)! I’m here to help you every step of the way by answering just about any question you could think of when it comes to getting your James Madison University graduation photos.

*If you are a 2024 James Madison University senior and are interested in a graduation session with me, my books are now open! Send me an inquiry here and we’ll get started with the booking process! You can check out all of my senior packages here.*

Table of Contents

• What are college graduation photos and why should I take them?

• How much do college graduation photos cost?

• How early should you take college graduation photos?

• What should I wear to my college graduation photoshoot?

• What should I do to prepare for senior pictures? 

• Where should I take my James Madison University graduation photos?

• James Madison University graduation photo ideas

What are college graduation photos and why should I take them?

What is a college graduation photo session?

It’s just about as simple as it sounds! A college graduation photo session is a photoshoot designed to commemorate the time you spent working hard to earn your college degree. This usually includes photos taken in your college’s cap and gown around campus. Whether it’s a bachelor’s degree, a masters degree, or a Ph.D., you deserve to celebrate, no matter how long it took you to get to this point.

Do people do college graduation photos / Are senior photos still a thing?

Senior photos are absolutely still a thing, and they are such a big deal!! College is an extremely transformative time in your life, and you should have photos that reflect that growth and hard work you put in to get where you are today! As a Virginia based college graduation photographer, I can assure you that you won’t be the only one on campus taking graduation photos this semester.

How much do college graduation photos cost?

How much do photographers charge for senior pictures?

There are many factors to consider when estimating the cost of your senior session. The number of locations, poses, outfits, and photos you want out of your session can cause the price range to change. The cost of a senior session also always varies from photographer to photographer based on experience, usually between $250-600. My senior packages start at $425 and include multiple locations on campus, a bottle of champagne for popping, a digital gallery with printing rights, and so much more! To read more about the James Madison University graduation photo packages I offer, click here!

Are college graduation photos worth it?

Although they aren’t a necessity, professional college graduation photos are always worth it. These days anyone can take a photo with their phone, but is that really what you want for such an important milestone? No matter how much money you spend to get your senior photos taken, you get to keep those photos forever! What better way to wrap up your college experience in a bow than with photos that capture the pure excitement you’re feeling right now?! You want photos that reflect the time and energy you put into earning your degree, and I’m here to help you get them.

How early should you take college graduation photos?

When to book your James Madison University graduation photographer

You should book your graduation photographer as soon as possible! Spring and fall are very busy seasons for photographers that also do weddings, couples, and family photography on top of senior photography, and their books can fill up fast! As soon as you find a college graduation photographer you love, you should reach out to them before it’s too late. It’s always heartbreaking to turn down potential clients because you can’t fit anything else into your schedule. If you’d like to schedule your James Madison University graduation session with me click here to send me an inquiry!

The best time to take graduation photos at James Madison University

James Madison University is a very popular college with a lot of seniors graduating during the spring and fall. Because of this, the campus can get very crowded at the end of each semester with students scrambling to fit in last minute graduation photoshoots. To beat the crowds: in the spring, the best time to take graduation photos is between late March – mid April. And in the fall, the best time to take graduation photos is between early October – mid November. Wait any later than this and you risk having to wait in long lines to grab a spot at the Madison Hall pillars or pop your champagne at the Carrier fountain! Golden hour is my personal favorite time of day to shoot senior portraits, check with your photographer to see what time they recommend shooting! I also recommend taking your graduation photos on a weekday rather than the weekend to help with the crowds.

What should I wear to my college graduation photoshoot?

When it comes to college graduation photos, less is more in terms of outfit choices. Your cap, gown, and any cords or stoles you’ll wear include a lot of colors, symbols, logos, and embellishments that should be complemented with your choice of attire. Your clothing should not distract from the natural colors of your campus and regalia. Here are my recommendations for what to wear to your James Madison University graduation photoshoot:

White or neutral solid colors

White dresses and shirts are the most common attire you’ll see seniors wearing for their photoshoot. And for a good reason! White and neutral solid colors will compliment the deep purple or black James Madison University cap and gown as well as any stoles or cords you’ll adorn your shoulders with. Here are some dresses I recommend checking out at Lulu’s, H&M, and literally anything here at Altar’d State.

Heels or dress shoes

Heels and dress shoes are the best thing to wear on your feet for your graduation photos. Whether you’re wearing your cap and gown or just dressing up for photos, a gorgeous shoe is all you need to pull your outfit together. Feel free to add a pop of color: here are some fun purple heels one of my seniors wore to her session. Or you can always opt for a simple white shoe like this or this.

Bring a second outfit

Depending on what your photography package includes, you may be allowed to bring an additional outfit to your session (hint: two of my packages include this, check them out here)! If you’re allowed to bring an additional outfit, some recommendations for what to bring include: another dress in a different color or style, a sweater with your college or major on it, or sorority/fraternity apparel!

Keep jewelry simple

Jewelry is always welcome, however it is best to avoid chunky, distracting jewelry. Simple rings, necklaces, and even anklets can bring the most beautiful shine to your photos without overwhelming your overall attire.

Wear what makes you happy!

The outfit you wear for your college graduation photos should make you feel amazing. Feel free to wear/bring any outfit you feel shows off your personality and makes you feel confident! The better you feel, the better your photos will turn out.

What should I do to prepare for senior pictures?

Preparing for college graduation photos isn’t as scary as it may seem. This is your time to show yourself off in whatever way you feel most comfortable. Want to get dolled up and go all out? Do it! Want to keep it more laid back and simple? Feel free! These are your photos that you get to keep with you forever, and they should be a reflection of you during this extremely important step of your life! Here are some steps you can take to make sure your graduation photo experience is as easy as your first gen ed class.

Prepare your outfit(s)

As I mentioned previously, wearing an outfit (or two) that shows off your personality and makes you feel confident is going to be your best bet! Try on your outfits ahead of time along with your cap and gown to make sure you love the way everything looks together. You can use your photographer’s portfolio to come up with outfit ideas, or pull out your favorite dress from your closet!

Prepare your props

Props are a great way to add some variety to your college graduation photos. Some of the most common props seniors will bring to their session are champagne, glitter, pets, or photos of a loved one who may not be with us anymore. If you plan to bring a prop, make sure to let your photographer know ahead of time so they can prepare some poses specific to your prop.

All Megan Rose Photography senior sessions include a complimentary bottle of champagne to pop at the end of your photoshoot!!

Get your hair and makeup done

Whether you’re a do-it-yourself HMUA or want to go to a professional, having your hair and makeup done for your graduation session is the perfect way to make sure you feel your absolute best! Keep your hair and makeup simple, and if you plan to get a haircut, it’s best to do it no sooner than a week before your session to give it some time to grow out.

Pack an extra pair of shoes

One hack I love to tell my seniors is to bring an extra pair of shoes, especially if you plan to wear heels during your session! Your college graduation session could be anywhere from 30-90 minutes or more, with multiple locations around campus. And typically the most common way to get to each location is on foot. If your shoes are adorable but uncomfortable, the last thing you want is your feet to start hurting in the middle of your session! I recommend you bring a second, comfier pair of shoes like sneakers for travel between locations.

Bring a bag (or a friend)

You may be wondering how exactly you’re going to carry around all this stuff I’m recommending you bring with you to your session. Bringing a tote bag to carry around your cap and gown, cords, stoles, extra outfits, shoes, and any other personal items is always a good idea.  If you really don’t feel like carrying everything you’ve brought, opt to bring a friend or significant other (I like to call them bag boys lol) to carry your things while you’re taking photos! If you do choose to bring someone along to carry your belongings, just make sure they aren’t disruptive to your photographer’s shooting process!

Where should I take my James Madison University graduation photos?

There are so many beautiful places on James Madison University’s campus to take your graduation photos. Here’s a list of my favorite spots:

• Madison Hall Pillars

• The Quad

• Wilson Hall

• Burruss Fountain

Madison Hall Pillars

Located within walking distance to the quad, the Admissions Office for James Madison University offers an amazing backdrop to your graduation photos. The Madison Hall pillars showcase beautiful columns that stand tall around you, and add a unique look to your photos that you can’t find anywhere else on campus. This is by far one of my favorite places to take photos at JMU!

The Quad

In the heart of the JMU campus is none other than the quad. This beautiful stretch of luscious green grass and stone pathways is the perfect place for graduation portraits. Face one way, and you get the gorgeous field in the background of your photos. But if you turn the opposite direction, Wilson Hall stands tall behind you. If you follow the many paths along the quad, you can find the famous kissing rock and multiple academic buildings to take photos in front of!

Wilson Hall

One of my favorite places to take James Madison University graduation photos, and the most popular building on campus, is none other than Wilson Hall. Located right in the center of the quad, this structure has gorgeous gray stone that contrasts perfectly with the purple cap and gown of the James Madison University regalia. The building itself as well as the surrounding stairs and stone walkway make for some wonderful versatility for your graduation poses and photos!

Burruss Fountain

Adjacent to the quad, in front of the Carrier Library and Burruss Hall in the stunning Carrier fountain. In the spring, this fountain runs freely and beautifully, and if you’re lucky enough to get your photos taken early in the fall, you might be able to get that beautiful water in the background of your photos! Most JMU students opt to pop their bottle of champagne here, so this is usually the last location we go to for your session! Feel free to get on (or even in) the fountain for your photos!

In addition to all of these locations, there are an unlimited amount of gorgeous spots for your James Madison University graduation session. If you have somewhere else in mind, let your photographer know to see if they can make your ideas happen!

James Madison University graduation photo ideas

Here you’ll find all of my favorite poses that I love to use during my senior sessions at James Madison University. Feel free to use them as inspo for your own session!

If you’re still looking for a photographer for your James Madison University graduation photos I would love to capture them! You can find more information about my senior packages here, and send me an inquiry here! I can’t wait to hear from you!