The tassel is worth the hassle. Cap and gown season is here! Graduation is right around the corner, and let’s be honest—it deserves to be celebrated at every stage. We all love those classic high school and college cap and gown portraits that mark the end of one chapter and the beginning of something new. But let’s not forget about the little ones! Preschoolers looking impossibly tiny in their mini caps and gowns or Kindergarteners getting ready to take on first grade are moments just as big and deserve to be captured with just as much joy. Cap and gown sessions are a chance to hit pause, even if just for a moment, before life races ahead into the next season. They’re a way to celebrate how far your graduate has come—mastering their ABCs, surviving algebra, or writing their first research paper. Every milestone matters, and trust me, one day, you’ll be so glad you have these photos to look back on.
Cap and Gown Sessions Aren't Just for Seniors
Somewhere along the way, we decided that cap-and-gown photos were just for high school and college seniors, but let me tell you—that couldn't be further from the truth. Your little one's first school "graduation" is just as monumental, and these photos are the perfect way to honor it. These sessions capture what they look like and who they are now—their giggles, wild energy, excitement (or their best "too cool for this" expression).
Life moves fast. Blink, and they're suddenly packing up for college. (I'm not crying, you're crying.)
Why These Sessions Are a Must
If there's one universal truth about parenthood, it's this: our babies grow way too fast. They take their first steps one minute and then walk across a stage, ready to take on the world the next. While we can't slow time (believe me, I wish we could), we can capture it. That's why cap and gown sessions are so special—so you can hold on to these fleeting moments forever.
But beyond the photos, it's about celebrating your child—who they are right now, their big personality, little quirks, excitement. It's about giving them a moment to shine, to feel proud, and to soak in all they've accomplished. You can even have their besties in the shoot to make it fun and capture their first friendships. One day, they'll look at these photographs of their childhood, friendships, and milestones and be so glad they have them.
When to Schedule Your Cap and Gown Session
Timing is everything. Cap and gown season runs from mid-April through late May, depending on your child's graduation date. You'll want to plan ahead so this doesn't slip by in the whirlwind of end-of-year celebrations.
High school seniors, this one's for you—once that cap and gown arrives, let's get your session on the books ASAP. Not only will you have plenty of time to receive your photos, but you'll also be able to use them for grad announcements, party invitations, and (of course) to make your relatives cry happy tears.
Parents of little grads, whether they're stepping up from preschool, kindergarten, or even elementary school, now is the perfect time to grab a tiny cap and gown and schedule their session. You can find adorable options online (or, if you want to make things extra easy, I've got pink and blue ones ready to go!).
A Lasting Keepsake
No matter how big or small the milestone, every graduate deserves to feel celebrated. Whether stepping out of preschool with their tiny backpack and big dreams or walking across a stage to accept their diploma, this moment is a big deal and deserves to be remembered.
These images become cherished keepsakes, little time capsules that take you right back to how you remembered them at that moment. These sessions are some of my absolute favorite sessions. And one day, when you’re looking back at these moments, you won’t just see a cap and gown—you’ll see the excitement, the pride, and the incredible person they’re becoming.
Book Your Session! | Walla Walla & Tri-Cities Senior Photographer
Let’s celebrate together and create something fun, meaningful, and full of personality. Because your kiddos grow up way too fast, but these memories last a lifetime.
Ready to book? Let’s make it happen!
