What to Wear to Your DC Graduation Photo Session
- huenphotographer
- May 10
- 6 min read
Updated: May 13
You booked your session, picked your location, and now you're staring at your closet wondering what to wear underneath that cap and gown for your DC graduation photo session. This question comes up in almost every single inquiry I get, so let's settle it once and for all.
Whether we're shooting at the Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, or somewhere like Rock Creek Park or Georgetown — what you wear matters more than you think. The right outfit will make your photos feel timeless rather than dated five years from now. I've shot enough graduation sessions across DC to know what photographs beautifully and what causes last-minute panic in the parking lot. This post covers all of it.
First Things First: You'll Be Wearing Your Gown
Your gown covers most of what you have on — which is actually great news, because it takes a lot of pressure off. What shows is your neckline, your shoes, and whatever you're wearing from the knee down depending on gown length. Those are the areas to focus on.
That said — please iron or steam your gown before the session. I cannot stress this enough. Gowns come out of bags and boxes looking like they've been folded since last semester, and wrinkles show up in photos way more than you'd expect. A quick steam the night before makes a real difference. Most hotels and dorm rooms have a steamer, or you can grab one for under $30. Your future self will thank you.
What to Wear: The Outfit
Go for Solid Colors or Subtle Patterns
Busy prints (florals, bold stripes, logos, etc.) compete with the background and pull attention away from your face. DC's monuments are already visually bold. A solid color or subtle texture lets you be the focal point, which is the whole point. Think navy, cream, dusty rose, forest green, or a classic white. These tend to look especially stunning against the white marble of the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials.
Fit Matters More Than Formality
You don't need to be in a ball gown. A well-fitted midi dress, a blazer over trousers, or a flowy dress can all look incredible depending on your style and personality. What you want to avoid is anything that reads sloppy at the neckline since it'll show in the cap-off shots. I always tell clients: dress like you're going to a nice dinner, not a red carpet. Comfortable and put-together is the sweet spot.
Dress for the Season — But Layer Smart
DC graduation season runs April through June and the weather can be genuinely unpredictable. I've shot sessions in 60-degree golden-hour mornings in May and sweltering 85-degree afternoons in late April. Early morning sessions (which I always, always, ALWAYS recommend) can start cool and warm up quickly, so a light jacket or blazer you can remove mid-session is a smart call. Bonus: a jacket gives us an extra look without needing a full outfit change.
Shoes: Don't Overlook This
Shoes show up in more shots than most people expect — especially in full-length portraits and walking candids. And here's something I've seen happen more than once: someone wears brand new heels to their session and is limping by the second location. I always remind my clients to bring a pair of comfy shoes to change into whenever we are walking to a different area of the location. If you think you don't plan on bringing an additional pair, please make sure to break your heels in before we shoot!
A few other things to keep in mind:
Comfort is non-negotiable. We cover ground during sessions, especially at the National Mall. Heels are totally fine, but bring a pair of flats to swap into between setups.
Skip flip flops or athletic sneakers unless they're very intentional to your look.
Nude, white, black, or a pop of color all photograph beautifully. Just make sure they feel deliberate, not like an afterthought.
Hair & Makeup
Keep it close to what you'd wear on a nice day out — polished, but still you. Avoid anything so elaborate that it doesn't feel like you when you look back at these photos in ten years.
A few practical notes from someone who has watched many carefully styled updos unravel in the wind at the Tidal Basin:
Bring bobby pins. DC is windy, especially near the water. Always.
Set your makeup. A setting spray goes a long way when you're outside, moving around, and potentially nervous-excited.
Avoid lip colors that transfer easily — you'll be smiling, laughing, and moving a lot more than you think.
If you're doing your own makeup, do a test run a few days before so there are no surprises the morning of.
The Cap — And What to Do With It
Wear it. We'll get shots with it on, tilted just right, with it in your hand, and a few without it entirely. If you decorated your cap, absolutely bring it — some of my favorite graduation portraits have featured cap art that took days to make. Show it off.
One more thing: make sure your cap actually fits before the day of. Bobby pins or a headband underneath can help keep it in place, especially if your hair is thick or layered. A cap that keeps sliding back mid-shoot is more distracting than you'd think.
What to Avoid
A few things I've seen cause stress on the day that are very easy to prevent:
Logos or graphic tees under your gown — they show at the collar in every portrait
Fabrics that wrinkle badly, like linen or certain silks — especially if you're traveling to the location in your outfit
Uncomfortable or brand-new shoes you haven't broken in
Skipping the iron or steamer on your gown (seriously — do this)
What to Bring to Your Session
Beyond the outfit, here's a quick checklist so nothing gets left behind:
Cap and gown, steamed and ready
A small bag or tote to hold your things between shots
Your diploma or diploma cover if you want it in any shots
A light jacket for between setups if it's cool
Mirror and touch-up products — lip gloss, powder, a travel-size hairspray
Bobby pins (more than you think you need)
Water — especially for summer sessions
Comfortable backup shoes if you're wearing heels
One More Thing: Morning Light Changes Everything
All of the outfit advice above applies any time of day — but if you give me any flexibility at all, I will always push for an early morning session. The light at the Jefferson Memorial and Lincoln Memorial around 7–8am is something else entirely. It's soft, warm, and flattering on every skin tone, and the golden glow off the marble is the kind of thing you can't recreate in an editing app.
The practical bonus? The monuments are far less crowded in the early morning, which means we're not waiting for tourists to clear the frame, and we get more variety in your shots. ALL of my favorite graduation galleries were shot before 8:30 am.
Ready to Book Your DC Graduation Session?
Spring slots fill up fast — especially April through June when graduation season is in full swing across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Solo graduation sessions start at $300. Graduating with friends? Group sessions for 2–4 graduates are available — and the per-person rate gets better the more of you there are. It's one of the best ways to split the cost of a professional shoot while still getting your own individual portraits. If you want portraits at the Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, or anywhere else in the DMV, let's lock in your date before it's gone.
Have questions about outfits, locations, or what to expect during your session? Reach out — I love helping people plan something that actually feels like them.
Huen Photography works with graduates from across the DMV — including students from George Washington University, Georgetown University, Howard University, American University, University of Maryland, George Mason University, and beyond. Based in Washington DC, serving Maryland and Virginia.
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