Taking Fun & Meaningful Vanderbilt University College Graduation Portraits!

Photography

Graduating college is one of life’s most exciting milestones, and Vanderbilt University college graduation portraits are a beautiful way to preserve those memories! For me, photographing Vanderbilt seniors is all about celebrating the excitement of graduation and the friendships that have made college unforgettable. Whether you’re celebrating solo, with your best friends, or with your entire crew, I’d love to help you create Vanderbilt University college graduation portraits that capture this incredible milestone!

New around here? I’m Dolly, a Nashville-based photographer who specializes in capturing life’s biggest and most joyful moments. I work with families, business owners, and, of course, amazing graduates who want to document their stories in a way that feels authentic, relaxed, and true to who they are.

If you’re ready to celebrate your journey and have some fun along the way, let’s get in touch and make it happen together!

Why Vanderbilt University College Graduation Portraits Are So Special

Vanderbilt University is such a beautiful campus with so much character, and it makes the perfect backdrop for graduation portraits. Let’s face it, after all those hours studying in these buildings, you probably feel right at home here! Capturing your senior portraits on campus is a meaningful way to keep those special memories alive. Each corner of Vanderbilt tells a story, and that’s exactly what we’ll capture together in your session.

And the best part? We get to keep it simple by staying on campus! By focusing on familiar, sentimental spots, we make the most of your session without the hassle of going downtown. Staying at Vanderbilt lets us capture the places you love most (and will want to remember!), from study spots to scenic campus green spaces.

What to Expect from Your Graduation Session

Vanderbilt University college graduation portraits are designed to reflect every part of your senior year journey. Whether you’re looking for standout professional headshots, group photos with friends, or a mix of both, I’ve got you covered! Here’s what we’ll focus on to make sure you get the perfect shots:

  1. Professional Headshots: As you prepare to dive into the professional world, let’s capture headshots that will make a lasting impression. I’ll help you get polished, authentic shots that reflect who you are—perfect for LinkedIn, job applications, or whatever’s next on your career path!
  2. Celebration Photos with Friends: These college years are all about the friendships you’ve made along the way, right? I love including your friends in your portraits to celebrate the people who made your college experience so special. From linking arms and laughing together, we’ll capture the joy of graduating together.
  3. Fun, Personalized Shots: Every senior brings their own style and personality to these sessions, and we’re going to make sure that shines through! Whether you want to incorporate a favorite outfit, your cap and gown, or mementos that capture your Vanderbilt journey, we’ll create photos that feel real, relaxed, and 100% you.

Prepping for Your Vanderbilt University College Graduation Portraits

A little prep goes a long way in making sure your session is fun, easy, and stress-free! Here’s how you can get ready for your Vanderbilt University college graduation portraits:

  1. Book Early: Graduation season can get busy, so let’s get ahead of the game! Booking early lets us secure your ideal date and gives us time to plan every detail. The sooner you book, the more time you’ll have to choose outfits, brainstorm ideas, and prepare for a fun shoot.
  2. Bring Some Outfit Options: Adding a little variety to your photos is always a great idea! Some seniors like to have a more polished look for headshots and then a casual or trendy outfit for group photos with friends. And, of course, bringing your cap and gown is a must—those classic shots are ones you’ll love looking back on.
  3. Enjoy the Moment: Remember, this session is all about you and celebrating your college years, so just relax and soak it all in. I’m here to make sure everything runs smoothly so you can focus on celebrating. We’ll create a mix of posed shots and candid moments that capture the real joy of your senior year.

Why College Graduation Portraits Are Worth It

College graduation portraits aren’t just about taking photos; they’re about capturing an unforgettable moment in your life. Your college years have been full of achievements, friendships, and memories that have shaped who you are. Documenting this time means you’ll always have something special to look back on as you move forward.

It’s such a joy to help Vanderbilt seniors capture the energy and excitement of graduation, and it’s honestly one of my favorite types of sessions! Years from now, you’ll be able to look at these photos and remember the friendships, the laughs, and the hard work that made this chapter of your life so unique

Frequently Asked Questions

Graduation is an exciting time, and I know there’s a lot to think about when planning your portrait session. To make things as easy as possible, I’ve compiled answers to some of the most common questions I get from seniors who book me for their graduation portraits.

When should I book my Vanderbilt graduation portrait session?

It’s best to book as early as possible, especially during peak graduation season (Late March to Late April). Early booking ensures you get your ideal date and gives us plenty of time to prepare for a fun, stress-free session!

What should I wear for my graduation portraits?

Bring a couple of outfit options! Many graduates like to include a mix of formal and casual looks, along with their cap and gown, for those classic shots. Choose outfits that reflect your style and personality, but remember to consider the season and weather, too! If you need more help, you can use my Family Portrait Style Guide for inspiration! Many of my past clients have decided on white dresses with cowboy boots (a nod to Nashville) or classic black dresses.

How long does a typical graduation portrait session last?

Most sessions last about two hours. This gives us plenty of time to explore different locations on campus, change outfits, and capture a mix of solo and group shots without feeling rushed!

How should I prepare for my portrait session?

Besides bringing outfit options and any special items like a cap and gown (or champagne), come ready to have fun! Relax, enjoy the moment, and let me guide you through each shot. I’ll handle the details so you can celebrate!

I hope this FAQ section helped answer any questions you had! Your graduation portraits should be as unique and special as your college journey, and I’m here to ensure everything goes smoothly from start to finish!

Ready to Book Your Vanderbilt University College Graduation Portraits?

Vanderbilt University college graduation portraits are about celebrating your achievements, your friendships, and the special journey that brought you to graduation. If you’re ready to make these memories last, I’d love to help bring your vision to life!

Whether you’re excited about professional headshots, fun group photos, or something unique, let’s create photos that you’ll love for years to come. Connect with me to start planning your perfect graduation portraits! You can learn more about me, and if you’re ready to book your session, you can reserve your date here. For group shots, check out my Family Portrait Style Guide to make sure everyone looks their best! And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for updates, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes peeks into my sessions!

Meet Your Friendly Nashville Family Photographer 

a dad mom and toddler son are all smiling at eachother at a lavender farm by Erin Fox photography in Nashville

Dolly DeLong is a Nashville-based family & newborn photographer AND a creative business owner who educates other creative business owners on systems, SOPs, workflows, and launching. Dolly loves serving families with her bold, elevated, and radiant photography. She also loves educating other creative business owners on how to set up systems and workflows to help them save time in their businesses. Dolly produces weekly blog posts, podcast episodes on The Systems & Workflow Magic Podcast, and weekly YouTube Episodes. 

She has a heart for serving the larger business community. Dolly shares her knowledge of launching, Email Marketing, and Business Systems with new creative business owners and family photographers in an encouraging and supportive way because she believes anyone can find joy in systems, workflows, and intentional SOPS! Plus, BONUS: Systems are where the magic happens! You can streamline and automate the backend of your creative business with ease!

Dolly’s faith and love for her family motivate her to help other business owners find the joy and freedom she’s seen in running a successful small business.

Whenever she has a spare moment, she enjoys watching TV (i.e., Survivor), loves eating way too many sweets, and listens to podcasts while running or walking. Fill out her contact form to work with Dolly DeLong Photography for a family photography session.

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