As I am sure you are well aware, Gonzaga is a special place to earn your degree. Aside from a beautiful campus, great professors and incredible basketball teams, Gonzaga has likely become home to some of your best memories and deep friendships. I am Nate, a college graduation photographer. I am so excited to take the grad pics that will bring back all your college memories for years to come. Whether you actually hire me or not (I hope you do), is less important. However you do it, I highly encourage you to take the time to get your graduation pictures on campus. To help you out, here are 15 places I like to use for Gonzaga University cap and gown pictures.
Spring flowers and 15 Places for Gonzaga University Pictures
15 Places for Gonzaga University Pictures
- College Hall
- St. Aloysius Catholic Church
- McCarthey Athletic Center: Kennel Club
- McCarthey Athletic Center: Spike
- ‘Boone Ave’ pathway that runs through campus
- Luger Field pathway with the GU sign and double slug bug when its parked there
- Along the Spokane river
- Around Arthur Lake
- One of the fields outside of Crosby Student Center
- Your res hall, house or apartment
- The primary academic building for your major
- When accessible, the Bulldogs head on Mulligan field
- The School of Law building and surrounding areas – The library is incredible for photos but you have to have private access to get in.
- The walking bridge from GU law to the WSU Spokane campus
- Jundt Art Museum
Bonus: If you have a special access only location, make sure to get some photos there too! I have enjoyed taking students pictures in unique locations such as a sports locker room, a special library, greenhouse, or lab. What is your most unique or favorite location?
What to Wear for Your Gonzaga Photo Session
Three Graduation Looks
I like to run my sessions with three looks.
- The first look is just your formal outfit minus graduation regalia. I do this to capture some good headshots before messing up hair. Use these headshots for your job hunt and updated profile picture.
- We will spend most of the session with the second look. Throughout the session we will add and remove the various cap and gown articles to use in a flattering manner. Get ready to have fun and play with those crazy named graduation accessories!
- The last look is the classic full formal cap and gown outfit.
Bonus look: If you are looking at a longer session, an additional casual outfit is a fun way to add some variety. Students enjoy changing out of their formal outfits into a favorite pair of jeans with a college shirt or sweatshirt. This is a fun way to capture an everyday look in a fancy photo session.
About Your Formal Outfit
At Gonzaga, the cap and gown are navy blue. You can compliment that navy blue with a wide array of outfit colors and patterns. Try light shades of colors and patterns as those work best to contrast the gown. Colors such as light blues, soft purples, spring yellow, the various shades of pinks, whites and creams all work great.
Ladies
Because of the simple cap and gown regalia, you have the freedom of choosing so many options. Whatever you choose, dresses are always a great go to option. Try a dress with some special feature that you love. A special neckline, asymmetrical, lace, form fit, a neat sleeve detail, rouching, sleeves/ sleeveless, whatever dress feature catches your eye will be perfect in the photos. I do recommend that dresses be shorter in length than your gown. The gown usually lands halfway between your knee and ankle. Other fun outfit options would be rompers or pant suits.
Gentlemen
For the formal outfit try gray or khaki slacks and a simple button up dress shirt in any of the previously mentioned colors. You can choose whether you want a tie or not as the gown zips all the way to your neck. Shoes are a super important detail in your outfit. Make sure you choose appropriate shoes for your look.
Finally, please remember to iron any outfit items that would benefit from being photographed without wrinkles. Yes, your gown will look best when it is ironed. This is an important step that gets your look from 90% to 100%
Conclusion
Whether you want to pop a bottle or take a fancy selfie with Spike, I look forward to taking your Gonzaga University pictures! Go for a solo session or bring along a friend or few to jump in the session. Head on over to my College Grads page to learn more!
