Spring is going to be here before we know it, start the search early for a senior photographer to take cap and gown pictures. March through June are THE busiest spring months for senior pictures!

I love going back to New Albany High School (where I used to teach) for cap and gown photos! Taking senior pictures at your school in the spring is one of the classic options for grads, because it’s the place you spent the last four years of your life.

This blog post is packed with tips for you for cap and gown photos if you’re a current or rising senior at New Albany High School!

When to schedule your cap + gown session

Everyone wants to get started with cap and gown photos in early spring, but first you need to check when you’ll actually get your cap and gown through the school counselor’s office or Josten’s!

Typically, at New Albany High School the graduation attire arrives in late April. This information is probably in your announcements or info that seniors receive in the spring with important calendar dates. If you know when you’ll get your cap and gown, you can schedule whenever you’d like. If you’re planning to just do regular senior photos (without cap and gown), then any available date will do!

You will also want to check the date you’ll receive any special stoles (the rope and scarf type things that go on top of the robe) if you want those in the pictures as well.

Where are the best places to take cap and gown pictures at NAHS?

At New Albany, the most popular spots are in front of the school, on the football field, by the bleachers, in front of greenery around the school, the gym entrance with the Bulldog mural, and the other side of the gym entrance with the New Albany mural.

Here are some of my favorite cap and gown photos around NAHS from the Class of 2022!

Close by the school are other great locations like Mickey’s, downtown NA, Falls of the Ohio, Mount St. Francis, the NA amphitheater, Scribner House, and Mansion Row. 

Cap and gown photos near New Albany, Indiana from the Class of 2022

What should I wear with the graduation attire?

We all know the black graduation robe looks kind of like a shapeless blob, which is why you’ll want to wear something flattering underneath! I usually do a mix of photos with and without the robe, zipped and unzipped, so you’re not just drowning in it.

Since red and black are your school colors, wearing red or white will really pop with the black robe. Other neutrals like gray and tan are also popular to wear with the grad outfit.

Those grad caps though…what do I do with my hair?

The grad cap is very oddly shaped – for people with longer hair, having your hair down is the most flattering. If you have shorter hair with bangs, consider if you want the bangs underneath or tucked into the hat. We’ll do some photos with and without the cap, so if it feels really awkward to wear, don’t worry!

I love this article from Teen Vogue with trendy hairstyles that won’t give you “cap hair”:

What if I want to schedule my session earlier, but don’t have my graduation attire?

You can see if a previous NAHS grad has a cap and gown you can borrow! An older sibling, a friend who graduated last year, or even order one online that matches your school’s graduation attire could work.

After my grad photos are over, when will they be ready?

Standard turnaround time for editing is 4 weeks for the full gallery, with a few previews being sent within 1 week for your session. If you’re planning to use your cap and gown photos for graduation announcements, make sure you allow enough time for your gallery to be edited and to order announcements. 

Rush editing is available for an additional fee upon request if you’re in a time crunch!

Ready to book your cap and gown session? Inquire early, as my calendar is typically already full by the end of March! Click here to visit the Senior Portraits page of my website.

Looking for even more senior portrait and cap and gown photos? You can find more senior portrait inspiration on my Pinterest page or my Instagram profile!

Johanna Hribal enjoys photographing creative, classic and colorful senior pictures in both Louisville and Southern Indiana for high school and college grads.