University Graduation Photography

by Pro Pics

With Pro Pics, our client universities are never frustrated by a lack of image variety. From each graduate’s big moment on stage to candid pictures with friends & loved ones, our graduation photo company captures a large number of stunning images at each ceremony.

Graduation ceremony photography is different at every institution, of course, and we work with our clients to determine the most appropriate coverage for their ceremonies and graduates. Keep scrolling to learn about the various poses and types of graduation photos we can take.

Individual Recognition Photos

Capturing each graduate’s big moment at commencement

Handshake Photos

By significant margins, graduates and their loved ones want to see their handshake photo more than any other picture captured at commencement. Whether your ceremony features “turn & pose” recognitions with the presenter and graduate facing the audience, or a candid-style recognition where the presenter hands the graduate a diploma cover while shaking hands, our graduation ceremony photographers are experts at capturing this moment with once-in-a-lifetime images your graduates will cherish for decades to come.

Pro Pics photographer taking a handshake photo of a graduate at a commencement ceremony in Spring 2024

Pro Pics photographer taking handshake photos at a UC Irvine commencement

Commencement handshake photo captured by Pro Pics at the University of Nevada, Reno

Example of university graduation photography taken by Pro Pics at a recent commencement

Commencement handshake photo captured by Pro Pics at Mississippi State University

Ceremony Portraits

Ceremony portraits are a special pose for graduates and family members. Instead of capturing this image in front of a traditional portrait backdrop, we photograph graduates standing in front of a clean, white background. Then we use special technology to accurately remove the white background from each ceremony portrait image, while perfectly preserving the graduate, regalia, jewelry, and diploma cover. With the background precisely removed, we then digitally overlay each graduate’s ceremony portrait on top of a wide variety of University-approved backgrounds.

This allows us to offer graduates multiple background options from a single portrait image. More choices means happier graduates.

Sample of various backgrounds provided by Pro Pics for a commencement ceremony portrait at the University of Kentucky

Close-Up Photos

With university graduation photography, nothing captures the excitement in a graduate’s face better than our close-up photos. With perfect focus and a gently blurred background, these photos capture a remarkable sense of joy and accomplishment in each graduate’s face.

Our close-up photos do not rely on software to generate that classic blurred background effect in these stunning pictures. Instead, this effect is achieved through the professional lenses and cameras used by our highly trained graduation ceremony photographers.

Sample close-up photo captured of a graduate at a recent Rutgers University commencement ceremony

Sample close-up photo captured of a graduate at a recent CSU Fullerton commencement ceremony

Sample close-up photo captured of a graduate at a recent UC Davis commencement ceremony

Hooding Photos

During each ceremony at which masters and/or doctoral graduates are hooded on stage, Pro Pics will assign an additional graduation ceremony photographer to capture this special moment. The best hooding photos are usually captured from head-on or at a slight angle. Our team will coordinate with you to determine the most suitable vantage point for our photographer. These photos are in addition to the other images captured of graduates during the ceremony. We do not, for example, substitute a handshake photo for a hooding photo.

Some of our client universities host a short hooding rehearsal just prior to commencement. This can be an excellent opportunity to take posed photos of graduates with their advisors. Group photos can also be taken at this time, if desired.

As with other poses, our hooding photos are automatically tagged to the correct graduates, who will each receive all of their photo proofs together shortly after commencement.

Graduation ceremony photography by Pro Pics

Hooding photograph captured by Pro Pics at Chapman University

Additional Photos

Captured by Pro Pics before, during, and after each commencement

Candid Graduate Photos

Pro Pics photographers take many hundreds of candid graduate photos before, during, and after each commencement. Each of these images captures a special moment in time. For example, a graduate searching for her loved one in the stands, friends graduating together and posing for a group photo, or proud family reuniting with their graduate after the ceremony. Our photographers love taking candid graduate photos, and know exactly how to create these perfect moments.

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Candid photos taken by Pro Pics are individually identified and tagged to the correct graduate(s) in each image.

Picture of a graduate and university mascot captured by Pro Pics at a recent Chapman University commencement ceremony

Mascot Photos

If your university’s mascot is available for photos at commencements, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the enthusiasm graduates have for this opportunity. While still providing our usual individual recognition photos described above, the addition of a mascot photo is a great way to send your grads off with a smile and an extra dose of school pride.

Our photographers can typically capture mascot photos next to the ceremony portrait, and these pictures should never slow or interfere with the pace of your event.

And of course…

Lots of Public Relations Pictures

At each commencement, Pro Pics will capture hundreds of beautiful public relations photos. These will include ceremony highlights, stage party, the keynote speaker, award recipients, dignitaries & other special guests, ceremony scenery, plus any specific requests by our client university.

Public relations images will be processed and uploaded to a special image gallery shortly after each ceremony. Then, a link to view and download those images will be sent. As a commencement professional, these complimentary images are yours to use however you see fit.

Public relations photo of a commencement speaker taken by Pro Pics during spring 2024 at the University of Kentucky

Public relations photo of a commencement speaker taken by Pro Pics during spring 2024 at California Baptist University

Candid photo of four graduates at a recent commencement ceremony at the University of Washington (Seattle) taken by Pro Pics

Public relations photo of ROTC color guard taken by Pro Pics during spring 2024 at the University of Washington

Public relations photo of faculty members giving one another a high-five taken by Pro Pics during spring 2024 at the University of Nevada, Reno

Overview photo taken by Pro Pics during spring 2024 at the University of Washington

Public relations photo of faculty member carrying college mace taken by Pro Pics during spring 2024 at the University of Louisville

Public relations photo of diploma tubes taken by Pro Pics during spring 2024 at the University of Louisville

Public relations photo taken by Pro Pics during spring 2024 at CSU Fullerton

Public relations photo of a member of the Chapman University administration taken by Pro Pics during the University's spring 2024 commencement

Graduate and his daughter at a recent commencement photographed by Pro Pics

Public relations photo of a commencement ceremony mace bearer taken by Pro Pics during spring 2024 at the University of California, Irvine

Public relations photo of a commencement celebration with confetti taken by Pro Pics during spring 2024 at the University of California, Davis

Public relations photo of a bagpipe player taken by Pro Pics during spring 2024 at Boise State University

Request Complimentary Sample Photos

If you’re a commencement professional at a U.S. college or university and would like to receive a complimentary packet with information about our graduation photography company along with sample photographs, simply complete this form and we’ll have one shipped to you right away.

Please note: packages will ship via FedEx, so if you have a separate work address for non-USPS deliveries, please use that. We will email you a tracking number once your package has shipped.