There’s something about cap and gown sessions that always feel a little heavier in the best way.


They’re the last session I photograph for my seniors—the final time we’re together before everything shifts into what’s next. And every single year, they feel a little bittersweet.


Olivia’s cap and gown mini session at Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School was exactly that kind of evening. Full of excitement, pride, and that quiet realization that this chapter is coming to a close.


The bittersweet part of senior season

Cap and gown sessions are always the end of my senior season.

By this point, I’ve already spent time with my seniors—getting to know them, photographing them in a way that feels like them, watching their confidence grow in front of my camera.

And then suddenly, we’re here.

The last session.

The one where everything feels a little more real.

With Olivia, there was this quiet confidence—like she knew exactly who she was walking into this next season. And getting to capture that, right here at the place where so much of her story began, is something I don’t take lightly.

It’s why these sessions will always mean so much to me.

Why I always recommend a simple white dress

Along with her cap and gown, Olivia wore the cutest white dress—and I will always recommend this when seniors are planning what to wear for senior pictures, especially for cap and gown sessions.

Here’s why:

A solid, neutral dress (like white) keeps everything looking clean and timeless.

It allows us to:

  • photograph just the dress for a softer, more natural look
  • add the stole for a pop of school color
  • layer the cap and gown without the outfit feeling busy

And the result is a gallery that feels cohesive, elevated, and still completely true to you.

If you’re currently searching for senior photo outfit ideas, this is one of the easiest ways to create variety without overcomplicating anything.


Natural, candid moments > perfect posing

One of the biggest things I hear from seniors before their session is:

“I don’t know how to pose.”

And I get it—especially for something like cap and gown photos, where it can feel a little more traditional.

But Olivia is proof that you don’t need to have any idea what you’re doing.

We kept everything really natural:

  • walking along the bleachers
  • adjusting her cap and tassel
  • letting the wind catch her dress on the field
  • small, simple movements instead of anything forced

Those little in-between moments are what create candid senior photos that actually feel like you.

Not stiff.

Not overly posed.

Just real.

And that’s always my goal—especially in sessions like this that already carry so much meaning.


For the Class of 2027

If you’re starting to think about how to prepare for senior pictures or wondering what kind of session you want, here’s what I want you to know:

Your cap and gown photos don’t have to feel stiff or overly traditional.

They can still feel like you.

With the right location, a simple outfit, and a little guidance, we can create something that feels natural, meaningful, and true to this season of your life.

Because this isn’t just about documenting graduation.

It’s about capturing who you are right now—in the middle of everything you’ve been and everything you’re about to become.

And sessions like Olivia’s?

They’re the perfect way to hold onto that, just a little bit longer. 🎓✨