Graduation Session Styling Guide
I’m so excited to photograph your graduation portraits! This session is meant to be fun, relaxed, and a celebration of everything you’ve worked so hard for. Graduation is a once-in-a-lifetime milestone, and your portraits should reflect not just this achievement, but who you are in this season of life. What you wear plays a big role in how your images look and feel, since your clothing helps tell your story and express your personality. With a little planning, you’ll feel confident, comfortable, and camera-ready. This guide is here to walk you through what to bring, what to wear, and how to prepare so you can look and feel your very best on session day.
Cap and Gown Mini Sessions
Cap and gown mini sessions are designed to be simple, classic, and focused on capturing this milestone beautifully. These sessions take place in studio only and are perfect if you want timeless graduation portraits without a full-length session.
During your session, we’ll capture 5 to 10 posed images, making small adjustments along the way to give you a variety of images to choose from.
I provide cap and gowns in black or royal blue, so you don’t need to bring your own.
Please arrive wearing a plain black round neck t-shirt, or a shirt with a collar, along with comfortable pants or a skirt, as these will be worn underneath the gown and help create a clean, polished look.
Hair and makeup are not included for mini sessions, so please come camera-ready and style yourself ahead of time.
The studio has a selection of simple props available, but you’re also welcome to bring meaningful items of your own, such as your diploma, flowers, books, or other personal touches that represent your journey and achievements.
Mom, if you are going to be at the session, we can also take one with you in the photo, so come prepared.
These sessions are quick, fun, and designed to highlight you and your accomplishment in a timeless way.
Full Graduation Portrait Sessions
Full graduation portrait sessions offer a more personalized and creative experience. These sessions allow time for multiple looks, outfit changes, and a wider variety of poses and locations. Whether you choose to wear a prom gown, a suit, casual outfits for graduation slideshows, or a combination of styles, this session is designed to reflect your personality and your story. Sessions may take place on location or in studio, depending on the look and feel you want to achieve. This option is ideal if you’re looking for a more customized session that goes beyond the traditional cap and gown portrait.
Styling Guidance and Your Consultation
Every graduation session is different, and styling recommendations will depend on the type of session you choose, whether your session is in studio or on location, and the overall look you want to achieve. Because of this, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to what you should wear.
Before your session, we’ll have a consultation phone call where we’ll talk through your outfit options, session type, timing, and any specific ideas you have. This allows me to give you personalized guidance based on your personality, your comfort level, and how you plan to use and display your portraits.
The suggestions in this guide are meant to provide general direction and inspiration. Final outfit choices and styling details will always be tailored to you during your consultation so you can feel confident, prepared, and excited for your session.
How Many Outfits to Bring
For in-studio graduation sessions, I typically recommend bringing two to three outfits. This allows us to create a variety of looks and moods within your session.
For on-location sessions, I usually suggest one main outfit, as changing outdoors can be more difficult. A second outfit may be added if time and location allow.
Outfit Ideas
Your first outfit is usually the most polished or dressy look.
If your session takes place in the fall of your Grade 12 year, you may not have your prom gown yet. In that case, a dressy outfit or formal dress is a great option.
If your session is in the winter or spring, wearing your prom gown is highly recommended and photographs beautifully.
Your second outfit can be more relaxed and casual.
Think jeans with a pretty blouse, a sundress with a jean jacket, or another outfit that feels comfortable and true to you.
Dresses photograph especially well, but the most important thing is choosing something that reflects your personality and makes you feel confident.
If you choose to include a third outfit, this is a great place for something personal, such as:
A sports uniform or dance outfit
A suit
One of my cap and gown sets
Or a more creative or fashion-inspired look if you want something unique
Fit Matters
Fitted clothing photographs best. Clothing that fits well helps create clean lines and flattering shapes, while overly loose or bulky clothing can add unnecessary volume. Try to avoid oversized sweaters or flowing cardigans.
If you prefer more arm coverage, sleeves or three-quarter-length sleeves are a great option and help keep the focus on your face.
Choosing Colors
Solid colors generally photograph best and keep attention where it belongs: on you. Patterns can work, but they should be subtle. Please avoid clothing with large graphics, logos, or text.
Neutral and muted tones always photograph beautifully, especially for outdoor sessions. Very bright, neon colors and shades like red, orange, and hot pink tend to reflect color onto the skin and don’t photograph as well, so it’s best to avoid them.
If you’re unsure about an outfit, you’re always welcome to send me a photo for guidance.
Textures, Layers, and Accessories
Textures and layers add depth and visual interest to portraits.
Fabrics like denim, lace, leather, knits, embroidery, and tweed photograph beautifully.
Layers such as jackets, sweaters, or vests can create variety without a full outfit change.
Accessories like jewelry, scarves, or hats are welcome, as long as they complement your outfit and don’t overpower it. I generally recommend skipping watches unless they are meaningful to you.
You’re also welcome to bring personal props, such as musical instruments, sports equipment, books, or dance shoes. I often include flowers in sessions as well.
Footwear
For outdoor sessions, footwear matters. Boots or dressy shoes are a great choice and photograph well. I discourage runners, sneakers, and white socks.
For in-studio sessions, footwear is usually not needed, but feel free to bring them especially if you are wearing your prom gown.
Planning for Your Final Images
My goal is to create a wide variety of images so you’ll have plenty of beautiful options to choose from. If you’re planning to display a wall portrait at home, it’s helpful to consider your home decor and choose colors and styles that will complement the space where your portrait will be displayed.
Hair Styling and Makeup
Professional hair and makeup can be added to your session, but you’re also welcome to do your own. Wearing makeup for your portraits is recommended, as it helps even out skin tone and photographs beautifully. If you prefer a more natural look, a good foundation and lip balm are usually enough to create a polished result.
If you are having an outdoor location I highly recommend that you do your own hair and makeup because the weather can be unpredictable, especially for a spring session, and having to reschedule your session is a possibility.
If you’ve chosen professional makeup, please arrive with a clean, lightly moisturized, makeup-free face.
Hair styling can also be added, or you may style your hair yourself in a way that feels natural and comfortable for you. For outdoor sessions, keep in mind that Calgary weather can be windy, so come prepared for touch-ups.
Haircuts and color should be done at least one to two weeks before your session. Avoid making major changes right before your portraits so everything looks natural and settled on camera.
In the weeks leading up to your session, take care of your skin by moisturizing regularly and using lip balm. Gentle exfoliation during the week before your session can help smooth your skin, but avoid exfoliating on the day of your session.
Don’t worry about blemishes or minor skin concerns. Your final images are fully retouched, so your skin will look natural and beautiful.
Avoid alcohol and smoking for a few days before your session, drink plenty of water, and get a good night’s sleep the night before. These small things make a big difference in how you’ll look and feel.
Keep nails neat and neutral, avoid self-tanner, and plan shaving a couple of days before your session rather than the day of.
If you’ve added professional hair and makeup, arrive in comfortable clothing and bring your session outfits separately. Tops that button or zip are easiest to remove once styling is complete.
What to Bring to Your Session
Any clothing and accessories discussed during your pre-session consultation
Lipstick, lip balm, or lip gloss for touch-ups
Any personal props you’d like included, such as musical instruments, books, sports items, or flowers
For outdoor sessions:
A comb or brush and hairspray for touch-ups
Comfortable shoes for walking between locations
A jacket, as sessions are scheduled close to sunset and temperatures can drop
Water, snacks, and bug spray if needed
For in-studio sessions:
Shoes to wear with your prom gown if applicable
Hair and touch-up supplies are provided in studio
Please let me know ahead of time if you have any allergies. Outdoor sessions may take place in grassy or natural areas, and for in-studio sessions, please be aware that cats live in my home (they won’t be present during sessions).
You’re welcome to bring one guest, such as a parent, sibling, or close friend. It’s always nice to have someone there for support, and I’m happy to take a few photos with them as well. Please note that cell phone photos of the sets are not permitted during the session.
Inspiration & Ideas
Hannah needed slide show images for her graduation ceremony, so she came to see me in the fall of her Grade 12 year. She wanted a casual session so she wore jeans and brought several tops in a variety of styles to create several different looks. I brought a fresh flower crown and some silk flowers to use as props.
Location - Confederation Park, Calgary.
Miranda came to see me as soon as she got her prom gown in March of her Grade 12 year. She chose to have an in-studio session. She mainly wanted portraits of her in her gorgeous prom gown. For a second outfit she brought a formal long black dress because she is a musician and wanted portraits in her performance outfit. She also brought her flute!
Jacey had an outdoor session in May of her Grade 12 year. She chose to wear only one outfit, her prom gown. She's a musician so she brought her cello. Since the lilacs were in bloom we used them in her portraits. I made her a flower crown and a bouquet. Location - Baker Park, Calgary.
Hannah came back to do an in-studio session in June of her Grade 12 year, about a month before her graduation. She had her hair and makeup test that day so she booked her portrait session for the same day. She only wore one outfit, her prom gown, but we did some of her session indoors, and then went outdoors on-location to a beautiful rose garden. Location - Lougheed House, Calgary.
Sophie came to see me in the summer after her graduation. She was thrilled to be able to wear her prom gown again for her portraits. She wanted an urban session, so we went to a few different spots in downtown Calgary. She’s also a musician and brought her violin along for a few portraits.
Alisha came to see me in the fall after her graduation. She chose to have an in-studio session in her prom gown. Alisha is also a dancer, so she wore my studio black tulle skirt for some beautiful dance portraits.
Mackenzie came to see me in the spring after her graduation. She chose to have her prom gown photos taken outdoors in a beautiful park setting at sunset. She also wanted some precious keepsake portraits with her mom. Location: Riley Park Calgary
Danielle and Natasha came to see me in the spring of 2020. This was during the height of the pandemic so their graduation celebrations were cancelled. So they came for a special prom gown portrait session with their mother to celebrate instead. They both had their hair styled at the salon, and had their makeup done by my makeup artist. Location; Baker Park, Calgary.
Please read over my Session Policies, and my Portrait Session Contract for further details.
I hope this session guide has helped you! If you want a second opinion on your clothing choices,or if you have questions about what to bring, or anything else, get in touch. I can't wait to photograph you!
