43 Actually Cute Poses for Your Graduation Photo Shoot, According to a College Senior

Once it hits April on a college campus, you can basically smell graduation in the air — groups of seniors speed-walking across campus, accessories in hand, running late to “golden hour,” trying to find the spot for their graduation photos.

If you’re a graduating senior and anything like me (read: an over-planner), you’ve probably been thinking about your grad photo shoot for months, saving poses, outfits, and inspo since last August. And honestly, that’s the move — trust me, I just took my photos last weekend. The difference between photos you’ll like and photos you’ll be obsessed with usually comes down to having a plan.

Before your shoot, make a quick Pinterest board or saved album. Not just outfits — actual poses, angles, and locations. (For any locations in private spaces, make sure you get permission to take photos.) Figure out what feels like you, what moments and memories you want to capture forever, and what you want the vibe to be. 

Also: you do not need a full production. Hire a photographer if you want, but you can also ask a friend with a good camera, or use your phone. It’s more about what you shoot than how. Here’s the shot list to make sure you feel your best while celebrating years of hard work and a huge chapter of your life ending.

As with most grad photos, there’s a mix of cap and gown pics and regular clothes (usually something nice). A lot of people like pairing a cap only with their clothes or their stole or cords, so you can mix it up for what feels best for you.

1. Walking across campus (action shot).
2. Sitting on steps or a curb, with your head slightly turned away.
3. Smiling with your backpack over one shoulder.
4. Looking out a window or across campus.
5. Sitting on your bed — casual, not posed (bonus points if you’re able to secure a pic on your freshman year dorm room).
6. Looking in the mirror with your whole room in frame.
7. Looking out at campus, with your body turned away from the camera. 
8. Placing your cap on, holding your gown draped over your shoulder.
9. Sitting at your desk with your laptop and studying setup.
10. Walking up stairs in a campus building (action shot).
11. Holding coffee and walking out of your usual spot.
12. Reading a book under a tree.
13. Standing under a building’s archway.
14. Leaning in your bedroom doorway, holding your cap.
15. Running toward or past the camera.
16. Twirling in a circle (action shot).

1. Your current apartment or dorm.
2. Campus steps or staircases.
3. A quiet path you walk every day.
4. Library corners or window spots.
5. Your freshman year dorm, for nostalgia (exterior is totally fine)!
6. Your campus club or job headquarters or offices.
7. Your favorite restaurant close to campus.
8. In a classroom (if you can). 
9. In a grassy field with flowers.
10. In front of a campus water feature (like a fountain).

Whether you met them freshman year or more recently, it’s so special to capture your college friendships! Again, do a mix wearing different grad garb. If you want to go all out, you could even get mylar balloons with your grad year and hold them in some pics.

1. Walking toward the camera together on a campus path.
2. Sitting in a circle on the grass, enjoying each other’s company.
3. Laughing mid-conversation (not all looking at the camera) — this is a great candid moment.
4. One person talking, everyone else reacting.
5. Linking arms while walking.
6. Snuggled up all piled onto a dorm bed or couch.
7. Holding hands turned away from the camera. 
8. Sitting on campus steps at different levels.
9. Sharing food or coffee together.
10. One person jumping into the frame.
11. Hugging as a group and laughing (you want that mid-laugh shot). 
12. Walking away from the camera together (action shot).
13. Pretending to play a sport, like a basketball or softball game.
14. Recreating a group photo you took freshman year.
15. Cheers-ing with your favorite iced coffee or tea.
16. Playing a video game in your cap and gown.

1. The place you all met for the first time! 
2. Outside your favorite campus building.
3. In front of the official entrance of your school.
4. In a gym or on a sports field.
5. The dining hall.
6. Your favorite spot on campus.
7. Your favorite late-night food spot.
8. The campus convenience store or mini-mart.
9. Your sorority/fraternity house (if applicable).
10. In front of a campus water feature (like a fountain).

You wouldn’t be here without your family! Snap some of these pics to remember everything you went through to get there.

1. Sitting together on steps or a bench.
2. Hugging or linking arms.
3. Talking/laughing instead of straight-on posing.
4. A quick candid moment (like your sibling fixing your outfit).
5. Parent(s) placing hands on your shoulder. 
6. Hugging as a group! 
7. Holding hands with a parent while walking.
8. Laughing at something off-camera.
9. Parent(s) looking at you while you look away.
10. A family member pretending to hand you a diploma.
11. Recreating a family photo from when you were younger.

1. The admissions building! 
2. The area where you got dropped off during your first move in.
3. In front of your dorm or apartment.
4. The main campus entrance/sign.
5. A meaningful academic building.
6. Anywhere your family visited you most.