These girlies were casually browsing Instagram and had stumbled upon a set of senior cap and gown photos from another group of girls at Richland High School. And yes… let’s be honest, a little bit of FOMO absolutely played its part. They saw themselves in those photos, and it was exactly how they wanted to remember their own season of life. That’s what drew them in.
My approach has always been rooted in simplicity and connection. Light that wraps around you softly, movement that feels natural, and settling into the moment without overthinking it. And I think they felt that right away. It felt like something they could step into and be themselves. This was an experience they wanted to share together, and to celebrate not just where they were going, but everything that had brought them here.
Golden Light + Garden Vibes at WSU Demonstration Gardens
We met on a warm late May evening at the WSU Demonstration Gardens, tucked just beside the Kennewick library. Maybe it wasn’t quite peak bloom, but you would never know it. The florals were soft and romantic, the greenery full and alive, and the light… oh, the light. There is something undeniably glowy about this place. It’s easily one of my favorite spots for seniors, especially for cap and gown sessions that deserve a little extra sparkle.
We began with individual portraits. One by one, each of them stepped forward. The hype was immediate, constant, and so genuine. Every glance at the back of my camera was met with wide eyes and the sweetest chorus of “Wait… stop, these are so beautiful.” It’s one of my favorite parts of any session. A couple of them even mentioned that they wished they had found me sooner for their senior photos.
As golden hour approached, we transitioned into group photos. There’s something so effortless about photographing friends. They leaned into each other, shared quiet little comments between shots, and reminisced about the years that brought them here, all while dreaming out loud about what comes next.
And through it all, their styling tied everything together so beautifully. White dresses paired with heels. Simple, elegant, timeless, and truly a 10/10 choice every single time. It allows the focus to stay right where it should be: on them, their connection, and the story they’re telling just by being together.
What Makes Group Cap & Gown Sessions So Special
When you bring your best friends into a cap and gown session, it shifts everything. The energy becomes lighter, the laughter comes easier, and suddenly it doesn’t feel like a photoshoot at all. It feels like a celebration or a pause in time where you get to soak in this chapter together before everything changes.
From the very beginning, their dynamic made that so clear. The way they hyped each other up, fixed a strap, or adjusted a tassel. I always say that when you bring a friend, the experience becomes less about “getting the perfect photo” and more about living in the moment, and that’s exactly what happened here. At some point, I feel like I’m just one of the girls, laughing along, capturing what’s already unfolding naturally.
They had ordered pink cords to wear at graduation as a symbol of their friendship, which I thought was the sweetest touch. One of theirs hadn’t arrived yet, but instead of letting that be a disappointment, they shared, taking turns wearing it for their individual photos, making sure each of them had that moment. It was such a simple gesture, but it said everything about who they are to each other.
Between poses, they talked about what’s next—college plans, new cities, and the excitement of stepping into something unknown. Two of them even shared that they’d be roommates. You could feel the mix of nostalgia and anticipation, of holding on and letting go all at once.
These moments are truly about honoring the relationships that shaped it. They become a reminder of who you were in this moment, and who you had beside you through it all. There is nothing better than that.
