Cap and Gown Senior Pictures Ideas | 5 Go-To Cap and Gown Photo Poses
While a lot of seniors drag their heels when it comes to taking cap and gown senior pictures, it’s important to remember that these are NOT the same type of photos taken in your high school MPR with the marbled backdrop for your senior yearbook portrait. With the right posing, guidance, & outfit underneath, you can create truly timeless shots that still feel natural and modern.
I think every senior should take at least a few cap and gown graduation pictures, so let’s go over a few ways to be prepared and make sure you’re getting the most flattering photos possible.
Depending on when your senior photo session is, you may not have your official cap and gown yet. Don’t worry! During our consultation call together, we'll get clear on what color your school's cap, gown, & tassel is, decide if you can use a previous sibling's set, a friend who has already graduated, borrow one of the colors I have, or order one from Amazon before the session.
DID YOU KNOW?
The history of the cap and gown is probably not what you think. Check out this video of some cap and gown fun facts!
Once we have the actual cap and gown sorted, it’s time to decide what to wear underneath. For girls, I recommend a little white dress that’s shorter than the graduation gown. Depending on the color of the gown, you could even choose a solid color dress instead of white. For guys, a classic button down and pants works best. You want to avoid large logos and even college gear —- head on over to this post I did all about guy senior photo outfits for some examples!
Now we’re getting in front of the camera. Here are 5 go-to poses that aren’t too stuffy and help my clients to love their cap and gown senior pictures way more than they expected to.
1. The Parent Classic
Parents always love this shot. With the cap and gown both on (with the gown unzipped) and facing forward, this pose takes a bit of the awkwardness of the one-size-fits-all outfit. I have girls cross their legs and point their toe with their hands on their hips to keep it flattering even with the oversized gown. I tell the guys to cross their arms or put their hands in their pockets (thumbs out!). This is the kind of shot we want a full smile with teeth — they’re graduating, after all!
2. Cap Push-Out
This playful pose is easy to nail and makes for a fun, tassel-forward photo. Simple, yet effective!
3. Look Through
I love the emphasis that this pose puts on the graduating class charm that hangs on the tassel. Works great with a smile or a soft smize look!
For guys, rather than having them hold the front corner of the graduation cap, I typically just have them look off to the side for this shot.
4. Celebration
No senior session is complete without a celebratory pose! That's what it's all about after all — celebrating your accomplishments and next chapter/future plans ahead. Whether tossing the cap into the air, pretending to toss it, or simply throwing an arm up in celebration, this is a fun pose to add in once you're already on the move (example: walking) but works for static poses as well.
5. Walk Away
The best part about this prompt is what it symbolizes: heading into the next chapter! I usually tell my clients to walk away and just keep looking forward (so that my camera sees only the back of their head), and then, after a few steps, look back over their shoulder and smile at me.
Pro tip: make sure you keep your arms swinging naturally while walking and turning over your shoulder, and keep that posture upright.
BONUS POSE: Cap Only
While both cap and gown is a classic combination, I also like to grab a few shots with the cap only. This way, your outfit can be fully on display and the cap (whether wearing it or holding it) is a fun little graduation accessory that gets the point across!
Your senior photos are capturing a celebratory and exciting time of your life, and cap and gown senior pictures help memorialize this moment!
Now that you’re ready to knock it out of the park during this portion of your senior photos session, apply here to get your session with me on the books.
