welcome to

the PBD blog

Family, Portraits

CSU Graduation Photos

Jul 13, 2025

You made it! Congratulations Ram Grad!

    Now let’s capture the moment with college graduation photos!

    The textbooks are closed. The final papers are submitted. The cap and gown have arrived (even if it’s still sitting in the packaging on your floor). You’re officially about to graduate from Colorado State University.

    Let that sink in: You. Are. Graduating.

    This moment? It’s once-in-a-lifetime – and it deserves more than a few blurry phone pics and a group shot where someone’s eyes are definitely closed.

    Let’s do this right.

    A young female College graduate in a white and gold dress smiles or the camera in her gown in front of blooming trees. Her hair is blonde and curled, and she has fair skin.
    A young female College graduate in a rich emerald green satin dress stands on the stairs at Colorado State University. In the background, you can see pillars of the collegiate building.

    Graduation photos that actually feel like you

      You’ve spent four (okay, maybe five) years making Fort Collins your home. You’ve pulled all-nighters in Morgan Library, tailgated at Canvas Stadium, and discovered your go-to coffee order at Alleycat. This city, this campus, this chapter—it all means something.
      So why not celebrate it with a photo session that actually captures who you are and how far you’ve come?

      We’re talking real smiles, iconic CSU backdrops, the people (and pets) who matter, and photos you’ll still love when you’re showing your kids “what college looked like back then.”

      A family of four with two young College graduates smiles with mom and dad for a beautiful family photo taken by Photography by Desirée in Fort Collins, Colorado.
      A girl is shown in motion with a happy-go-lucky expression as she walks in her purple graduation gown with her graduation cap on.
      A CSU graduate in a gown and a cap stands next to her horse for a photo documenting her journey in Equine Sciences.

      Why graduation photos matter more than you think…

      A CSU graduation marks more than academic achievement. It captures growth, resilience, pride, and a sense of arrival. And whether you’re the graduate, a proud parent, or a family member who’s cheered from the sidelines, these are the kinds of moments that deserve more than phone snapshots and Instagram filters. Professional graduation photography creates lasting, shareable memories that age with meaning.

      Photos taken in front of the CSU Administration Building, under the Oval’s iconic canopy of trees, or near your department’s home base become part of your personal story—and your family history.

      A family of four hugs in together for a graduation photo for their older daughter. They are wearing coordinating outfits of neutral tones with denim and are standing in front of the university she attended.
      The family of four celebrates their older daughter’s graduation from Colorado State University. They are shown in the oval at CSU, and the mom and daughter have their one leg lifted in delight.
      A young female college graduate is shown in one of the two outfits that which Photography by Desirée took her picture in. Pictured here, she is in a black tank top with light blue denim and high heels.

      For Graduates: Celebrate the End and the Beginning

      You’ve worked hard. You’ve pushed through. This isn’t just a celebration of your past, it’s a marker for your future.
      A dedicated graduation photo session gives you a chance to slow down and take it all in. To reflect. To own your moment. We’ll guide you through poses that feel natural, confident, and completely you. Want to wear your cap and gown in one shot and switch to something stylish for another? We’ve got you. Want to bring your dog or your family? Do it. Want to include your favorite coffee cup from Mugs? We encourage it. This is your story—let’s photograph it that way.

      A young female college graduate is shown in a rich emerald green satin dress, which reflects the colors of her College: Colorado State University. She is posed sitting on an architectural column with her hands crossed and leaning on her knee.
      A young female college graduate is shown in a rich emerald green satin dress, which reflects the colors of her College: Colorado State University. She is posed sitting on an architectural column, leaning back and smiling, kicking her foot out.
      A young female college graduate is shown in a rich emerald green satin dress, which reflects the colors of her College: Colorado State University. She is shown walking in the grass in front of an old collegiate building with dramatic architectural features in the large columns and stairs.
      A young female college graduate is shown in a rich emerald green satin dress, which reflects the colors of her College: Colorado State University. She is shown leaning against a large column of the college building.

      Common Misconceptions:
      (and why they shouldn’t stop you from booking a photoshoot! )

        • “We’ll just grab a few shots with our phones.”
          • Phone cameras are great—until the light is wrong, the image is grainy, or the composition just isn’t working. Our sessions are designed to be stress-free, with professional lighting, thoughtful posing, and expert editing so your images are frame-worthy from the start.
        • “We don’t have time—it’s a hectic weekend.”
          • We offer flexible scheduling, including pre- and post-ceremony sessions to avoid the crowds and chaos. Many families opt for early-morning or golden hour sessions to get the best light and a more relaxed experience.
        • “I’m not photogenic.”
          • That’s exactly why you hire a pro. You don’t need to know how to pose. You just need to show up. We’ll take care of the rest, guiding you to look your most natural, confident self.
        A young college graduate is shown in front of a blossoming tree in a white dress and is holding up a stethoscope. She is blonde and smiling.
        An expressive moment where a young blonde college graduate is celebrating by popping a bottle of champagne.
        An expressive moment where a young blonde college graduate is celebrating by popping a bottle of champagne and taking a sip right from the bottle.
        A recent college graduate stands in her full gown and hat of her college University of Wyoming. front of a stone pillar. Photographed by Photography by Desirée.

        What’s Included in a CSU Grad Session

        1. Personalized session on or around CSU’s campus
        2. Option to include friends, pets, or family
        3. Guidance on wardrobe and styling
        4. Professional lighting and posing coaching
        5. Quick turnaround with beautifully retouched images
        6. High-resolution digital files for printing, announcements, or gifts

        If you’re getting ready to graduate, we’d love to help you tell your story!

        Get started by filling out the form on our contact page here.