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UCF Graduation Photos | Orlando Graduation Photographer

Seniors

Graduating from college is such a huge milestone, and I love that graduation photos give you a chance to document this chapter. Even better, we get to do it in a place that has actually been part of your life for the last few years. For Alyssa, that meant heading to the University of Central Florida for her UCF graduation photos.

Florida definitely did not give us the prettiest weather that day, but Alyssa handled it so well. We still had such a fun session, and I remember leaving UCF really excited about what we had created.

Honestly, I think that is worth mentioning because photo sessions do not always happen under perfectly blue skies with perfect weather. Sometimes you work with what Florida gives you and make a few adjustments along the way. You can still end up with photographs you absolutely love.

Graduate in a black gown raising her decorated cap outside UCF’s Business Administration building.

UCF Graduation Photos That Feel Connected to Your College Experience

One of my favorite things about photographing graduation sessions on a college campus is that the location already means something. UCF is not simply a pretty backdrop for Alyssa’s photos. It is a place that has been part of a huge chapter of her life, and I think that adds something special to the session.

Of course, I want to photograph the cap and gown and create those classic graduation portraits you know you are going to want. I also want to use the campus itself. The buildings, walkways and places you passed over and over again during college can become part of the story too.

We photographed Alyssa in front of the Business Administration building and around the campus fountain. Her personalized UCF stole included B.S.B.A. Accounting, so the Business Administration building was a fitting part of her graduation photos.

Accounting graduate wearing a personalized UCF stole outside the Business Administration building.
Graduate in a white outfit holding her decorated cap outside UCF’s Business Administration building.

Planning a UCF Graduation Photo Session

College graduation sessions take a little different planning than my traditional high school senior sessions. Instead of choosing from locations around Central Florida, we already know where we are going. The next step is figuring out how to make the most of the campus.

UCF is big, which is why I like to think through the locations we want before we start. I would much rather have a plan than spend half the session wandering around trying to decide where to go next.

Graduation season can also get busy as more graduates schedule photos on campus. Having a general route in mind helps us use our time well without feeling rushed.

That does not mean we need to photograph every well-known spot at UCF. I would rather choose the places that matter most to you and spend enough time actually creating something there.

If you are planning a senior session instead and are still trying to decide what type of location fits you, you can also look through my favorite senior picture locations around Orlando.

Graduate seated on campus steps in a white outfit with her decorated cap beside her.

Hair and Makeup Before Alyssa’s Graduation Photos

Alyssa also had professional hair and makeup done before we headed to UCF. It gave her a chance to relax and get ready without having to worry about doing everything herself right before the session.

Professional hair and makeup is not something you have to do for graduation photos. It can be a really nice addition, though, especially if you want some help getting camera-ready and want the experience to feel a little more special.

The goal is never to make you look like someone else. I want you to look like yourself and feel confident when you step in front of my camera.

Close portrait of a graduate holding a flower-trimmed cap in front of the Business Administration building.

Cap and Gown Photos + More Than One Look

Your cap and gown are obviously a big part of a college graduation session, but they do not have to be the only thing you wear.

Alyssa wore a white outfit with her personalized black-and-gold UCF stole. We photographed her with and without her black graduation gown, and her decorated cap read “On to my next chapter ’26.”

Graduate in a white outfit and UCF stole holding a floral graduation cap beside palms.
Floral graduation cap reading “On to my next chapter ’26” held against a black-and-gold stole.

Having another look gives us more variety in the final gallery. The cap-and-gown photographs celebrate the accomplishment, while another outfit lets us create portraits that feel more like your everyday style.

If you are trying to decide what to wear in addition to your graduation look, my What to Wear for Senior Pictures in Orlando guide has ideas for choosing outfits that photograph well and still feel like you.

We can also photograph the smaller graduation details that are part of this season. Your tassel, stole, cords, diploma cover or decorated cap can all add something personal to the session. Something connected to your degree, organization, sport or college experience can be included too.

Alyssa brought her President’s Honor Roll certificates and a framed childhood graduation photo, too. We photographed the certificates together and placed the childhood portrait in the foreground with Alyssa celebrating behind it. Those are such personal things to have alongside her cap-and-gown portraits.

Graduate holding four President’s Honor Roll certificates in front of her white outfit.

And Then Florida Gave Us the Weather

If you have ever planned photographs in Central Florida, you already know the weather likes to have an opinion. Alyssa’s session was one of those days.

The weather was not what I would have ordered for a graduation session. I even joked with her afterward that I could not have asked for a better time, except maybe for better weather.

Even with that, Alyssa did such a great job and never let it take over the session.

This is also why I do not want my clients stressing over every little thing before a session. We plan what we can, I keep an eye on the forecast, and then we make decisions based on the actual conditions.

Some of my favorite photographs have come from days that did not look perfect on the weather app.

Graduate holding her decorated cap on a boardwalk surrounded by tall trees.

When Should You Schedule UCF Graduation Photos?

I would not recommend waiting until the very last minute to start thinking about graduation photos. The closer you get to commencement, the busier campus can become with other graduates doing the same thing.

Booking earlier gives us more flexibility with dates. It also gives us time to plan your locations, outfits and anything special you want to bring.

Weather is another reason I like having some flexibility built into the schedule. Before Alyssa’s session, I was already watching the forecast, just like I do for my other outdoor sessions.

Florida weather can change quickly, so one random rain percentage does not automatically mean we need to change plans. I look at the full forecast and the actual conditions before making that call.

You do not need to obsess over the weather yourself. I am watching it too.

Graduate lifting her cap and bending one leg outside the Business Administration building.

What Should You Bring to UCF Graduation Photos?

The most important thing is to bring the pieces that actually belong to your graduation story. Your cap and gown are the obvious ones, but there may be other things you want included too.

Bring any cords or stoles you earned, along with a decorated graduation cap if you have one. You can also include something connected to your degree, organization, sport or another part of your college experience. Tell me about those things during planning so we can figure out how to include them naturally.

Comfortable shoes are another good idea because we may do quite a bit of walking between locations. You can always switch back into your photo shoes once we get where we are going.

If you are the person who wants a full checklist before your session, my guide to preparing for senior pictures goes into more detail about what to pack and what to do ahead of time. Many of those same preparation tips work really well for a graduation session too.

The goal is not to pack your entire college experience into one bag. It is to bring the things that help the photographs feel like your graduation.

Framed childhood graduation photo in focus with a celebrating college graduate blurred behind it.

Graduation Photos in Orlando Are About More Than the Cap and Gown

I photograph a lot of high school seniors, but college graduation sessions are such a fun extension of what I already love doing. This is still a huge milestone and a season of your life that is ending. It deserves to be documented in a way that feels like you.

Alyssa’s UCF graduation session gave us the chance to photograph her in a place that had been part of her college experience. At the same time, we were celebrating everything that came with reaching graduation.

Years from now, I want these photographs to bring back more than what your cap and gown looked like. I want them to bring you back to this chapter and remind you how it felt to finally reach this point.

Full-length graduation portrait beside UCF’s fountain with a personalized black-and-gold stole.
Graduate wearing a personalized UCF stole marked B.S.B.A. Accounting beside the campus fountain.

Fountain Photos at UCF

We also took photographs beside the fountain, and Alyssa got into the water for some of them. Her white outfit and UCF stole were still part of the look as she posed in the water and raised her arms to celebrate. It gave us a fun way to photograph her graduation beyond the cap-and-gown portraits.

Graduate looking over her shoulder while holding her decorated cap beside the fountain.
Graduate in a white outfit and UCF stole standing in the fountain water.
Graduate posing with one hand on her hip in the fountain, wearing a black-and-gold UCF stole.
Graduate lifting one arm and bending one leg while standing in the campus fountain.

UCF Graduation Photos: Frequently Asked Questions

Do you photograph UCF graduation sessions?

Yes! I photograph graduation sessions at UCF and around the Orlando area. We will plan everything ahead of time so we know which campus locations matter most to you and what you want to include.

How early should I book my UCF graduation photos?

I recommend reaching out before graduation season gets really busy. Planning earlier gives us more flexibility with dates and more time to talk through locations, outfits and anything else you want to include.

Can I have professional hair and makeup for my graduation photos?

Yes. Professional hair and makeup can be a great addition if you want a little extra help getting ready. Alyssa had hers done before her UCF graduation photos, and it was a fun way to start the experience.

Can I take photos in more than just my cap and gown?

Absolutely. Your cap and gown are an important part of the session, but another outfit can give you even more variety in your final gallery.

What happens if the weather looks bad?

I keep a close eye on the forecast leading up to outdoor sessions. Florida weather can change quickly, so I look at the overall forecast instead of panicking over every rain percentage that pops up. If the weather truly looks like it is not going to cooperate, we can talk through our options.

Do you help with posing?

Yes. You do not need to show up already knowing what to do in front of the camera. I will guide you throughout the session, so you are not left wondering what to do with your hands or where to look.

You can learn more about the way I guide and plan portrait sessions on my Senior Photography Experience page.

Looking for a UCF Graduation Photographer in Orlando?

If you are graduating from UCF and have been thinking about having professional graduation photos taken, I would love to help you plan them.

You do not need to know exactly where we should go on campus or have every photograph figured out before you contact me. Tell me what you are graduating with, which parts of UCF have meant the most to you and what you are envisioning for your photos.

We can figure out the rest together.

Contact me here to start planning your UCF graduation photo session.

Graduate raising both arms in celebration while standing in UCF’s fountain.