Group graduation photos are the most fun I have all season. Put five friends who just finished school in front of a camera, hand them a few bottles of champagne, and they really don’t need a lot of direction from me.
This one was Kendall (Kenny, to her friends) and four of her girls at the University of Arizona. They started lined up on a porch railing in their white dresses and stoles, did a cap toss in their gowns on the palm drive, and finished by spraying each other with champagne at the fountain.
What they got right
They matched without looking like they were in uniform. Everybody wore white, but everyone picked their own dress, so the photos look like a group of friends and not a bridal party. They also brought matching white ball caps for the champagne part, which tied it all together without trying too hard.
The other thing that makes a group session go well is knowing what you want before you get there. The cap toss, the champagne, a few clean group shots for the parents. When a group shows up with a short list like that, the whole session moves faster and everybody ends up with more photos.
How to plan group graduation photos
- Pick one person to run it. One person books, collects everyone’s schedules, and sends the plan out. Group chats with eight opinions don’t book anything. Once you book, I’ll work out the timing and the shot list with that person so everyone gets their turn.
- Agree on colors, not outfits. White, cream, and light neutrals look great together and don’t fight with your gowns. Let everyone pick their own piece.
- Do group photos first. Everyone’s fresh, hair is still done, and nobody’s sticky yet. Then everyone gets some solo time.
- Write your name inside your cap. You’ll understand after the first cap toss.
- Champagne goes last. Every time. Once it’s open, you’re done with clean photos.
A few champagne tips
- Check the rules first. Some campuses and parks don’t allow open alcohol. Sparkling cider sprays just as well and nobody can tell in the photos.
- Cheap bottles are fine. You’re spraying it, not drinking it.
- Chill it. Warm champagne goes off faster and harder than you want it to.
- Shake it, put your thumb over the top, and point it up and away from faces.
- Bring a towel and plan on going straight home afterward.
If you and your friends are graduating from Auburn, the same plan works great at Samford Hall or down at Toomer’s Corner. Read about Ella’s Auburn University graduation photos for some ideas on campus spots, and if somebody in your group wants to bring their dog, here’s how graduation photos with your dog work. When you’re ready, everything you need to book is on my graduation portraits page.