Congratulations Ram! After years of hard work, late-night study sessions at Morgan Library, and countless memories made in Fort Collins, you’re finally approaching the finish line. Earning your degree from Colorado State University is a monumental achievement that deserves to be celebrated and immortalized. The best way to do that? With stunning graduation photos!

This guide will make planning your CSU graduation photoshoot simple and fun. We’ll cover the best spots, what to wear, and how to get those perfect, lasting memories.

Your Prep List: Essential Items To Bring

Preparation is key to a smooth and fun photo session. Focus on these important items and steps before your session starts:

• Your Regalia: The complete set! Bring your cap, gown, and tassel. Remember to steam or iron your gown ahead of time—wrinkles stand out clearly in photos. If you won’t have your cap and gown in time, I have a green or black cap and gown available to rent.
• Comfortable Shoes: We’ll be walking all over campus to hit those iconic spots like The Oval and the Lagoon. Wear comfortable walking shoes between locations, and keep your nice photo shoes in a bag to change into right before the picture is taken.
• Your Closest Support People: I strongly recommend bringing one or two family members or friends. We can grab a few lovely shots with them, but more importantly, they help hold your bag and props.
• Champagne or Confetti: Bring a champagne or sparkling cider bottle for the fun popping shot! If you want a confetti toss, please only bring biodegradable confetti. This is crucial for keeping our beautiful campus clean and green. You can find some here.’
• Your furry friends: If your pet was a huge part of your time in Fort Collins, bring them! I often photograph dogs, but have even photographed a hamster before. Just ensure your support person is in charge of the pet before and after their photo moments.
• Personal Props: Bring anything that reflects your journey or future career, like a custom newspaper, your favorite textbook, or any items related to your major.
• Water Bottle: Walking, smiling and posing is hard work! Stay hydrated.

Top CSU Photo Locations

Colorado State’s campus in Fort Collins offers incredible scenery. Choosing the right spot creates the perfect mood for your pictures.

1. The Oval & The Administration Building

This is the most famous spot at CSU, offering that classic, timeless college feel.

• What it is: A long, beautiful lawn lined with giant American Elm trees leading directly up to the grand Administration Building.
• The Classic Shot: Stand in the middle of the path or pose on the steps of the Administration Building itself. This building features beautiful, large columns—a perfect backdrop for a formal, classic portrait shot.
• Be Prepared: The Oval is very popular, especially around graduation. Try to schedule your shoot for a quiet time, like early in the morning.

2. The CSU Lagoon

The Lagoon is a peaceful, natural area near the Lory Student Center.

• The Vibe: Calm water, trees, and native grasses create a soft backdrop.
• The Shot: Sit near the water or take a quiet walking photo. You can often see the foothills in the distance. This adds that unique Colorado touch.

3. The CSU Trial Gardens

If you graduate in the spring or summer, the Trial Gardens are a fantastic choice.

• The Vibe: Bright, vibrant, and full of color. Horticulture students maintain these gardens and you can sometimes spot a music student practicing around them.
• The Shot: Walk through the rows of flowers. The bright colors will make your photos pop!

4. Lory Student Center (LSC) Architecture and Interiors

The LSC is a fantastic spot to get modern, dramatic shots, especially if the weather is cold or the light is too bright outside.

• Creative Indoors: The interior of the LSC offers clean, modern lines, and unique geometric architecture. We can get creative using flash to highlight the building’s features and give your photos a sleek, magazine-style look.
• Why it Works: This spot offers a great contrast to the historic feel of The Oval and allows for unique, warm, and structured photos without battling the elements!

5. Your Academic Home: Specialized Buildings and Labs

Don’t forget the buildings where you spent all your time! As a graduating student, you often have special access to areas the public doesn’t.

• The Most Personal Backdrops: We can include shots from your specific college or department! I’ve taken photos of people inside the horticulture greenhouses, in specialized labs, or next to a favorite teaching display.
• Make it Meaningful: Let’s capture you in the place where all your hard work happened. If you studied music, let’s head to Griffin Concert Hall. If you studied science, let’s step into a lab!

6. Horsetooth Reservoir and Old Town Fort Collins

Want to capture the broader Fort Collins landscape? These spots let you include the city and the iconic local nature.

• Horsetooth Reservoir Views: Let’s drive to a spot that shows the Reservoir and Horsetooth Mountain! This gives your photos that beautiful, unmistakable Northern Colorado backdrop. It’s a great way to celebrate the stunning area you called home.
• Old Town at Night: If you are a December graduate, Old Town Fort Collins is magical. The holiday lights create a romantic, warm, and cozy atmosphere for unique evening pictures.

What to Wear: Styling Your CSU Regalia and Outfits

You should plan for at least two outfits during your photo session.

The Traditional Look (Cap and Gown)

You want your regalia to look perfect in these formal shots.

• Gown Colors: CSU caps and gowns are typically black, green or yellow, depending on whether you are an Honor’s student or have a high GPA.
• Underneath: Wear something light-colored or white. A white dress or a light shirt and dress pants work best. Dark clothes can show through the gown fabric and create unflattering shadows. Lighter colors reflect light back up to your face.
• Keep it Simple: Your outfit under the gown should be simple. This keeps the focus on you and your sash/stole.
• Footwear: You will walk a lot! Wear comfortable shoes for moving between spots. Bring the nice dress shoes or heels in a bag and only put them on for the actual pictures.

The Personal Look (Your Style)

This second look is where your personality shines. Plan for a quick change into this outfit after we get the essential cap and gown shots.

• Choose Happy Colors: Bright, uplifting colors look fantastic in photos. Soft pastels, creams, or jewel tones (like emerald green or sapphire blue) are timeless choices that photograph well.
• Movement Matters: Consider a dress or skirt that flows when you walk or twirl. This adds energy to the picture.
• Keep it CSU: A simple CSU logo shirt or sweatshirt can be a great, casual second outfit. This offers a more relaxed, campus-life feel.
• Avoid Busy Patterns: Try to stick to solid colors or very large, subtle patterns. Tiny, busy patterns can be distracting and pull focus away from your face.
• Cultural Attire: This is a wonderful way to honor your background. Bring any significant traditional or cultural outfits you wish to include.

Booking Your CSU Photo Session

A well-planned session is a happy session.

Booking a Photographer

• Book Very Early: Graduation season is the busiest time for photographers. Start looking and book your CSU graduation photographer at least 3 months in advance.
• Check Their Style: Look at their portfolio. Do their past CSU photos look how you want yours to look?
• Know the Details: Ask about the session length (usually 60-90 minutes). Confirm how many final, edited digital photos you will receive. Make sure you get the printing rights to the photos.

Timing Your Photos with the Seasons

Colorado weather affects the campus look! Plan ahead to get the greenery or fall colors you want.

• Spring Greenery: The iconic Elm trees on The Oval take a while to sprout their leaves. If having a fully green background is important to you, waiting until late April or early May is often best.
• Winter Grad Planning: If you are graduating in the winter (December), plan your photoshoot early:
  • Green Look: Taking your photos in September is great for vibrant green leaves and warm weather.
  • Fall Look: Scheduling your session in October captures the beautiful golden fall foliage.

The Magic Hour: Best Time of Day

Truthfully, lighting is the “secret sauce” that can either make your graduation photos look like a million bucks or leave you wishing for a do-over. We’ve all seen those shots where the sun is so bright you’re squinting, or weird shadows are stretching across your face—that’s usually the result of shooting in the harsh midday heat. To get that dreamy, Pinterest-worthy glow, you really want to aim for “Golden Hour.” It’s that magical window right before sunset when the light softens up and turns everything warm and hazy. It’s super flattering on every skin tone and makes the green and gold of your CSU regalia absolutely glow against the trees on the Oval. Trust me, timing your session around the sun is the easiest way to level up your photos.

• Morning vs. Evening: The best time for light is the early morning (just after sunrise) or the evening (the hour before sunset).
• Recommendation: Evening sessions can get very busy on campus, especially the week before graduation. If you have the availability, I highly recommend a morning session for softer light and significantly fewer people in the background.

Poses and Props: Make the session your own

The best photos happen when you’re actually having a good time, not just standing stiffly in front of a lens. Use these ideas to capture shots that truly reflect your personality and your favorite memories at CSU.

Must-Do Poses

• The Iconic Cap Toss: It’s the ultimate “I did it!” moment. Pro tip: You’ll probably have to throw your cap four or five times to get the timing just right, so don’t be afraid to keep at it until you catch that perfect mid-air shot!
• The “Walk and Talk”: Some of the best photos are the ones where you aren’t looking at the camera at all. Walk toward your photographer while thinking of a funny memory: those candid, laughing smiles always look the most genuine.
• The Diploma Shot: You worked hard for that piece of paper! Hold your diploma cover front and center. Whether you’re beaming at the camera or looking at the cover with a “we finally made it” smirk, it’s a shot you’ll definitely want.
• The Champagne Spray: If you’re looking for a high-energy finale, this is it. Shake that bottle up and use your thumb to spray it like a hose. Just remember to keep smiling through the spray—try to avoid the “scrunchy face” when the bubbles start flying.

Make It Personal: Small Details, Big Memories

The “standard” shots are great, but the photos you’ll cherish most are the ones that tell your specific story. Adding a few personal touches is the best way to make your gallery feel unique to your journey at CSU.

• Bring Your Crew: Graduation is a team sport! Whether it’s your roommates who survived late-night study sessions with you or your family who cheered you on from day one, make sure to get them in the frame. A big group hug, a coordinated cheer, or a “cheers” with your favorite drinks makes for a photo that feels like a celebration.
• The “How It Started” Shot: Bring along a printed photo of yourself from your first day of kindergarten or even your freshman move-in day at CSU. Holding that old photo while wearing your cap and gown shows exactly how far you’ve come.
• Show Off Your Hard Work: You didn’t just graduate; you mastered a craft! Lean into your major by bringing a prop that represents your future career. Whether it’s rocking your stethoscope, wearing your lab coat over your regalia, or holding a hard hat, these shots are perfect for showing the world you’re officially ready for the “real world.”

Ready to Book Your CSU Grad Session?

Don’t wait! Graduation season spots fill up fast, especially during the spring.

Click here to view my availability, current packages, and secure your date for your unforgettable Colorado State graduation photoshoot today!

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