May moves fast in Boulder. One week you’re watching snow dust the Flatirons, and the next, caps and gowns are everywhere.
If your student is graduating this spring, whether from CU Boulder, Boulder High, Fairview, or any of the other schools around here, now is the time to get portraits on the calendar. The light in May is some of my favorite all year: long golden hours, green foliage finally filling in, and warm enough to actually be comfortable outside. It doesn’t last forever, and neither does this moment in your kid’s life.
Boulder has no shortage of great backdrops for graduation portraits. I love shooting along the CU campus, especially near Norlin Quad and the older buildings on the east side, for that classic collegiate feel. If your grad wants something more outdoorsy, Chautauqua Park is a short drive and puts the Flatirons right in frame. For a more urban vibe, the Pearl Street Mall area and the Whittier neighborhood have great texture and color. The point is, Boulder itself does a lot of the visual work. We just have to show up at the right time.
For graduation portraits boulder families tend to want two things: something timeless and something that actually looks like their kid. I always tell families to bring a second outfit, one dressy and one that reflects who the graduate really is. A jersey, a favorite jacket, an instrument, a skateboard. Those are the shots that end up on the wall ten years from now. Also, if you want that warm golden light, we’re scheduling sessions in the hour before sunset. Midday light in May can be harsh and unflattering. Evening sessions just look better, full stop.
I’ve been doing graduation portraits in Boulder for years now, and every spring I get calls from families who waited a little too long. By mid-May, my calendar fills up. If you’re thinking about booking, reach out now so we can find a date that works before things get tight.
Book your graduation portrait session here and let’s make something worth framing.