What to Bring to Your College Graduation Photos | Graduation Photo Checklist | ASU, UofA, or GCU Seniors

Whether you're graduating from Arizona State University (ASU), the University of Arizona (UofA), Grand Canyon University (GCU), or another Arizona college, one of the most common questions I get is what you should bring to your graduation session.

The truth is, you don't need a trunk full of props (Do you really wanna carry that all over campus?). The best graduation photos aren't about bringing more, they’re bringing the things that tell your story.

As an Arizona graduation photographer, I've photographed seniors from every kind of major, and no two sessions have looked the same. Most graduates keep things simple with their cap and gown, while others bring pieces of their college experience that make their gallery feel even more personal.

Here's everything I recommend bringing to your graduation session.

1.Your Cap, Gown & Stole(s)

At the very least, bring:

• Your cap (with a tassle!)

• Your gown

• Your graduation stole

Even if you only wear them for part of your session, these are the essential graduation pieces!

Not sure when to order your graduation regalia?
Read More:When to Order Your Cap & Gown

2.Honor Cords, Club Cords & Organization Stoles

If you've earned honor cords, club cords, Greek life stoles, or organization stoles, don't forget to pack those too.

Keep in mind that these items often arrive later than your graduation regalia. They're typically distributed through executive boards, honor societies, clubs, fraternities, or sororities rather than the university itself. If you're still waiting on yours, reach out to your organization early. These can often come far later in the semester and if you plan to have your graduation photos early on, you may not have these in time.

3. Something Sentimental

Some of my favorite photos happen because someone brought something meaningful.

That could be:

• Your kindergarten graduation photo

• A family heirloom

• Jewelry from a loved one

• A handwritten letter

• A photo of someone who's been part of your journey

Those little details often become some of the most meaningful images in your gallery.

4. Something That Represents Your Degree

Think about what made your college experience uniquely yours.

Some ideas include:

• Textbooks

• Lab coat or stethoscope

• Paint brushes

• Dance shoes

• Playbills

• Headshots and résumé

• Architecture projects

• Anything you've spent the last few years creating.

Ask yourself:

If someone looked at this photo years from now, what would instantly remind them of this chapter of my life?

5. Champagne

If you've seen my work, you know I love ending sessions with a champagne pop.

You don't need an expensive bottle at all, grab the inexpensive one with a real cork (not a twist-off), and you're good to go. It's one of the easiest ways to celebrate and always makes for fun, candid photos.

Please Leave the Confetti at Home

I ask all of my graduates to skip the confetti. It's nearly impossible to clean up, leaves litter across campus, and takes away from the spaces we're lucky to photograph at. Instead, let's celebrate in ways that keep your campus just as beautiful.

Keep the Props Simple

You don't need to bring everything you own to make your graduation photos feel personal. In fact, I usually recommend keeping your graduation items fairly minimal. Your cap, gown, stole, and a few meaningful pieces are more than enough.

If you're hoping for a gallery that feels even more unique, consider adding another location instead.

Some of my favorite graduation sessions include a stop somewhere that was actually part of your college experience. Maybe it's the building where you spent four years chasing your degree, the theatre where you performed, your favorite coffee shop between classes, your sorority house, or even your favorite college bar. Those places often tell your story better than another prop ever could.

The goal isn't to recreate someone else's graduation photos, it's to document the places and moments that made your college experience yours.

Arizona Graduation Photographer

College has a funny way of feeling endless until suddenly... it isn't. One day you're walking to class without thinking twice about it, and before you know it, it's your last semester.

Your graduation photos are a chance to slow down for a morning, revisit the places that shaped you, and celebrate everything it took to get here.

If that sounds like the kind of graduation session you're looking for, I'd love to photograph this chapter with you.