Graduation Posing Ideas at NC State | Raleigh, NC Graduation Photographer - Rachel Laminack Photography | RKL Photography

Posing Ideas for NC State Grad Photos | Raleigh, NC

If you are looking for fun, natural posing that anyone can do, I hope this helps you! As a grad photographer in Raleigh, I love helping grads feel confident and relaxed in front of the camera. Whether you are graduating from NC State or a different University, I hope these posing ideas help inspire you for your own senior session!

#1. The cap throw

Graduate in white dress and red graduation gown jumps joyfully while holding diploma against light stone wall.

A graduation photo classic. And for good reason, its so fun to do too! Here's some tips on how to make this shot perfect.

Don't focus too much on throwing the cap. I know that sounds counterintuitive, but you really want to focus on smiling so the photo looks more real.
Keep your arms straight! Even the bottom one.
Kick out your back leg. It really elevates this pose.
Its totally okay if it doesn't go right the first time, typically we have to do this a few times to get the best shot.

A group in red graduation gowns pose playfully on stone steps during a celebratory photoshoot.

A woman in business attire sits gracefully on white marble steps while holding a red folder.

#2. Sit And Lean back

Graduate in red academic regalia poses on stone steps during graduation photo session.

This is one of my all time favorite poses, and one that I include in every one of my grad sessions. The key to this pose is to put your hand behind you, and lean back into it. It makes it so much more natural. You also want to make sure that your knees are 45 degrees to the camera angle.

Here's some ways to switch up the pose!

Cross legs, or have one leg close to you, one leg further
Instead of having your hand behind you, you can lean back onto your elbow if on stairs.
Use the grad cap to hold out in front of you, or if sitting on a bench can also go in between your body and arm. Make sure the tassel is falling down properly!

#3. Over the shoulder stole.

A woman in a white sleeveless top and tan backpack walks along a tree-lined brick pathway on a sunny day.

This pose is also perfect if you are wearing a dress with pretty detailing on the back.

It can be a bit tricky to get the stole to sit correctly, but make try to make sure that the logo or embroidery is showing. Another tip is remember to drop your shoulder down a bit, and to keep minimal space in your arm! This photo looks best if you hold the stole with 2-3 fingers instead of your entire hand.

A person in a white sleeveless dress poses playfully outdoors on a brick walkway surrounded by greenery.

#4. Cross Legs and Look Down

A sequence of four photos showing someone doing a cartwheel on a brick wall in front of a traditional brick building.

To do this pose you want to cross your legs while sitting on something, and look down and to the side. As simple as that! And it looks pretty candid. You can change it up by tucking your hair behind your ear, or bringing your hand out a bit on the side you are looking.

#5. Hold Cap above head

A graduate in white cap and gown holds up their diploma while celebrating joyfully on graduation day.

When you are doing this pose you want to make sure the top of the cap is facing forward! You may need to adjust the tassel so it looks nice. A trick to this is also to yell while doing it, it makes the smile look much more natural! Feel free to change it up by kicking up a leg too, or bringing your arm straight up!

Graduate in red academic regalia and graduation cords smiles joyfully while celebrating under red banners outdoors.

Graduate in red academic regalia celebrates with arms raised during outdoor graduation ceremony.

#6. Sit with arms cross next to cap

Graduate in red cap and gown sits on white stone steps during graduation photo session.

A great pose for men! When posing the cap next to you, make sure to have the corners on the bottom so it looks more like a diamond than a square! If you are doing this sitting on a bench, it also looks natural to drop one arm down beside you.

#7. Arms crossed holding cap

When doing this pose, angle your shoulders 45 degrees to the camera. It also looks great if you cross your legs so they are less stiff. Hold one of the corners of the cap, and hang it on your elbow. You may need to drop your front shoulder a bit!

Person in a white dress and black heels poses against a light-colored wall outdoors on a sunny day.

#8. The "Walk and Look"

A series of four photos showing someone in white attire walking on a grassy lawn near a tall concrete structure.

This pose is one that I start out a lot of my sessions with, its a great way to get natural, candid type photos. Especially if you are feeling anxious or awkward in front of the camera! To do this pose, you want to walk far away from the camera, then walk towards it. Make sure you swing your arms around, and look in different directions! You can hold your stole while you do it, or hold your cap as well!

A pathway lined with blooming red camellia bushes leads through a brick-walled garden on a bright day.

A woman in a white summer dress holds a red coat while standing in a covered walkway on a sunny day.

#9. Hold Gown over Shoulder and Look Back

For this pose, try to hold the gown with a few fingers instead of bunching it up with your fist. It may look more natural to hold the gown just below your shoulder!