Purdue Graduation Photos: Tips for the Best Cap & Gown Session
Purdue Cap and Gown Graduation Photos: Best Tips for your picture session 🎓📸
Graduation is a once-in-a-lifetime milestone, and your Purdue cap and gown photos should capture this exciting achievement! Whether you’re looking for classic, campus-inspired shots or fun, candid moments (hello, champagne spray! 🍾), this guide will help you get the most out of your Purdue graduation session.
My name is Heather Corbin and as a third generation Purdue Graduate I absolutely love celebrating graduations with Purdue graduation pictures.
I’ve photographed many grads and know exactly what works best for a stress-free and fun session. Here’s everything you need to know!
Heather Corbin Photography, LLC is an independent photographer NOT affiliated with Purdue University
1. Book Your Purdue Graduation Session Early
Purdue’s graduation season is BUSY, and prime photo spots can get crowded. Booking early ensures:
✅ You get a session date that fits your schedule.
✅ You avoid last-minute stress before finals.
✅ You have enough time to order prints or announcements.
📆 When to schedule: The best time for Purdue grad photos is March through early May for spring grads and October-November for fall grads.
Contact me as early as the beginning of the semester to snag the best date!
2. Best Locations for Purdue Graduation Photos
Purdue’s campus is filled with iconic spots perfect for graduation photos. Some of my favorites include:
📍 The Purdue Bell Tower – A must-have shot with one of the most recognizable landmarks!
📍 Hovde Hall & Memorial Mall – Beautiful green spaces with classic Purdue architecture.
📍 The Engineering Fountain – A dramatic and timeless backdrop.
📍 University Hall – The oldest building on campus, perfect for a traditional look.
Want something unique? Let’s talk about places that are special to you—your favorite study spot, dorm, or club location!
3. Make It a Celebration with Friends & Family!
Graduation isn’t just about crossing the finish line—it’s about the people who supported you along the way! Whether it's your best friends from freshman year, your family cheering you on, or even your significant other, including them in your session makes your photos even more meaningful.
👯♂️ Friends Session: Want to celebrate with your roommates, sorority sisters, or close friends? Group sessions are SO fun and create the best memories. From laughing together in your caps and gowns to doing a group champagne spray, the photos will capture your excitement and friendship.
Include up to four friends in your session, you can divide up the session cost.
👨👩👧👦 Family Celebration: Your family has been with you every step of this journey—why not include them in a few pictures? A couple of hugging-your-parents shots or a sibling high-five makes for special keepsakes. Bonus points if you bring younger siblings in matching Purdue gear!
❤️ Couples Photos: If your significant other has been by your side throughout college, we can snap a few sweet celebratory shots together.
📸 How It Works: We’ll get plenty of solo photos of you, but we can also set aside time for group and family shots to make your session extra special!
4. What to Wear for Your Graduation Photos
👩🎓 Cap & Gown: Make sure your gown is steamed or ironed beforehand so it looks smooth in photos. (Wrinkles show up more than you think!)
👗 Outfit Underneath: Choose something classic and flattering. Dresses, suits, or business casual outfits always look great.
👠 Shoes: Campus locations require walking—heels look nice, but bring a pair of flats just in case!
💛 Purdue Gear: If you want a casual look, bring a Purdue hoodie or T-shirt for a fun, relaxed shot.
5. The Iconic Champagne Spray Photo 🍾✨
One of the most popular (and fun!) ways to celebrate your graduation is with a champagne spray photo! This shot captures the excitement and energy of the moment and makes for an unforgettable image.
How to Get the Perfect Champagne Spray Shot
✅ Choose the right bottle – A bottle of cheap champagne or sparkling cider works best. It sprays more dramatically, and you won’t feel bad wasting it!
✅ Shake it up – Hold your thumb over the opening, give it a good shake, then slowly loosen your thumb to release the spray.
✅ Aim carefully – Angle the bottle slightly upward and away from yourself (and others) to get that perfect cascading spray.
✅ Capture the reaction – Laugh, cheer, or throw your arms up—this is all about celebrating!
6. Bring Meaningful Props to Personalize Your Photos
Adding a few personal touches makes your graduation pictures unique. Some ideas:
🎓 Your diploma cover – Even if it's empty, it makes for a great shot!
📖 Books or items related to your major – Perfect for a themed photo.
🏈 Sports gear – If you were involved in Purdue athletics, bring a football, jersey, or medal.
🐶 Your pet – Yes, I’ve had grads include their furry best friends in their photos!
7. Don’t Forget to Have Fun! 🎉
Graduation photos should reflect who you are at this moment in your life. Want to jump in the fountain? Do it! Want a silly cap toss photo? Let’s make it happen!
I guide all my grads through natural, fun poses that bring out their personality. You don’t have to worry about feeling awkward—I’ve got you covered!
Purdue Cap and Gown Graduation Photo Packages:
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$250
30 Minute Session
25 Digital Images included
Online Gallery Delivery within 2 weeks from session date
Print Release
$25 Print Credit Promo Code to if ordering prints from your online gallery
*$50 deposit required to book
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$375
60 Minute Session
60 + Digital Images included
Online Gallery Delivery within 2 weeks from session date
Print Release
$50 Print Credit Promo Code for ordering prints from your online gallery.
*$50 deposit required to book text goes here
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$575
2 Hour Session
Perfect for a group
150+ Digital Images included
Online Gallery Delivery within 2 weeks from session date
Print Release
$100 Print Credit Promo Code to use to order prints from your online gallery
*$50 deposit required to book
Ready to Book Your Purdue Graduation Session?
Spots fill up FAST in the spring, and I’d love to capture this milestone for you! If you’re looking for a Purdue graduation photographer who will make the process easy, fun, and stress-free, let’s chat!
📅 Book your Purdue graduation session today!
Message me to learn more or to book your session!
Can’t wait to celebrate with you! 🎓📸
Heather Corbin is a Christian wedding and family photographer based in Lafayette, Indiana.
She believes that marriage is a sacred gift from God and that families are a priceless treasure.
Through photography, Heather captures moments that freeze time, creating memories to cherish for generations.
Discover more about Heather Corbin Photography:
