CU Boulder Graduates celebrate their graduation during their graduation photo session

CU Boulder Graduation Photos

Capturing CU Boulder graduates amidst the amazing landscapes Boulder has to offer.

These highly sought out CU Boulder Graduation Photo Sessions are being offered for a limited time surrounding the CU Boulder commencement ceremony. You’ll get to choose between a graduate only session, family + graduate session, and friends session. Grab a spot now to take advantage of the early bird rate of 50% off the sitting fee by booking before Friday, April 11, 2025 (code - CONGRATS2025)

Where will my CU Boulder Graduation Photo Session Take Place?

This year you’ll get to choose from three beautiful locations. If you want the iconic campus backdrop and the highlight where you’ve spent the last four years, the CU Boulder Campus is perfect. Sara has suggestions for great places on campus, but if there is a place of special importance to you, then let’s capture it.

Want the iconic Boulder Flatirons backdrop that the town is known for? Then Chautauqua is perfect for you. We’ll meet there to capture you with the most iconic viewpoint of those great rock features.

Want the Flatirons, but not the crowds and a little more greenery? Then NCAR trailhead if perfect for you. It still captures the amazing Boulder Flatirons but from a different vantage point and the beautiful and iconic Ponderosa Pines added as a cherry on top.

Composite photo showing the location options for the CU Boulder Graduation Sessions
Image to show when the fall family photo sessions are taking place

When will my CU Boulder Graduation Photo Session Take Place?

The CU Boulder Graduation Photo Sessions are stand alone sessions, which means that you’ll be the only graduate I work with that afternoon and you’re guaranteed the highly coveted golden hour session slot. They are being offered in the weeks surrounding CU Boulder’s commencement ceremony.

Dates

The last week of April 2025 through to mid-May 2025

Click “Book Now” to see the currently available dates and don’t forget the early bird 50% off discount by applying this code - CONGRATS2025

Who can participate in my CU Boulder Graduation Photo Session?

Graduates and their families should get to have the session that they want, so I am offering three types of graduation photo sessions:

  1. Graduate Only - this 30 minute session captures the graduate in their graduation regalia, as well as in the outfit of their choice. We’ll capture details, multiple poses and backdrops, and a professional headshot so they can start their career off right.

  2. Graduate + Family - take advantage of the family being together for this momentous occasion and do a family session too. This 60 minute session includes everything in the “Graduate Only” session plus 30 minutes of photos with the family

  3. Graduate Friend Group - take advantage of your friend group being in the same place at the same time for possibly the last time and get your graduation photos together. This 60 minute session is for five or fewer graduates wanting to do their graduation photos together. We’ll capture miniature graduate sessions for each graduate, including photos of each graduate in their regalia and in the outfit of their choice. We’ll also capture group photos of all the friends.

Is this only for CU Boulder Graduates?

These specific sessions are designed with CU Boulder Graduates in mind. It is by no means restricted to CU Boulder Graduates at all. Anyone is welcome. If you’d like to do a graduation session at another locale though, do reach out first and I can create a custom session for you - contact me here.

A group of CU Boulder graduates posing together as a friend group during their CU Boulder Graduation Photo Session

Who will be taking your family photos?

I’m Sara. Welcome to my corner of the internet! Here are some quick details about me:

  • I graduated from CU Boulder with my MA in Classics and was an RA in Williams Village - go Stearns West!

  • I met my husband at CU Boulder. He is still there and is now an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Classics department.

  • I am mom to a future CU Boulder grad, my five year old daughter, and another die hard CU Boulder fan, our black lab.

Headshot of the CU Boulder Graduation Photographer, Sara Herkes

What Can I Expect From My CU Boulder Graduation Photo Session Experience?

Step 1: An Easy Peasy Booking Process

Choose a slot, fill out the corresponding form, and pay the sitting fee to hold the spot. I’ll follow up with my contract to complete booking and then we can start the session designing process.

Step 2: Styling Made Simple

I’ll send you a style guide that is specific to the session type you chose. I’ll give you access to my Style and Select account, which is a great styling service that helps both the graduate and the family. 

In addition, I am here for every question you might have about outfits and am happy to give feedback at any time.

Step 3: A Professionally Designed Session

Before the session, I’ll ask you your goals for the session and what poses mean the most to you. I’ll cater my session flow to your desires for the session. We’ll capture both fun and posed shots.  

Step 4: An Ordering Process for the Busy Family

The ordering period for digital image files and print products will be done through my online gallery software and start when you tell it to start. When your images are edited, I’ll send you a link to a slideshow to view your professionally edited images. You don’t choose a collection until you’ve seen your images.

How much can I expect to pay for my CU Boulder Graduation Photo Session?

To hold your spot at the limited edition photo sessions, you pay a non-refundable sitting fee that is dependent upon the type of session. After seeing your images from the session, you then choose and purchase a digital image file collection. Print products are available as optional add-ons.

Sitting Fees:

All sitting fees include a pre-session style guide, Style and Select services, and a professionally styled photo session with Sara at your preferred location.

Graduate Only, 30 Minute Session - $150* (early bird rate - $75)

Graduate + Family, 60 Minute Session - $200* (early bird rate - $100)

Graduate Friend Group (Up to five Graduates), 60 Minute Session - $200* (early bird rate - $100)

*Please note that the sitting fee does not include any digital image files or print products. Those are available for purchase separately after you have seen the images from your session.

Collections

  • All: Professionally hand edited, high-resolution digital image files for all images in your online gallery (no less than 20) with personal print release - $700 (less than $35 per image file)

  • Five: Professionally hand edited, high-resolution digital image files for your five favorite images in your online gallery with personal print release - $600 ($120 per image file)

  • Three: Professionally hand edited, high-resolution digital image files for your three favorite images in your online gallery with personal print release - $450 ($150 per image file)

How can I book my CU Boulder Graduation Photo Session?

Bookings are open for the CU Boulder Graduation Photo Sessions. Get 50% off your sitting fee, if you book by the early bird deadline, April 11, 2025 (early bird code - CONGRATS2025). To book, click the button below and choose your desired session type (i.e. Graduate only, Graduate + Family, or Graduate Friend Group). Then select a time slot, fill out the form, and pay the sitting fee. I’ll follow up with a session contract to secure your spot.

What Clients Are Saying

FAQs

What if it rains/snows?

Sara begins to monitor the weather conditions for your session 3-5 days before the session date. If there is any concern that the weather might result in less than stellar photos, she will reach out with rescheduling options.

What if we’re sick?

It's important to prioritize everyone's well-being and avoid attending sessions when feeling unwell. Besides, sick people may not look their best in photos. If you or any of your family members are sick, please notify Sara no later than 8 am the morning of your session that you’ll need to reschedule via email.

Are these sessions just for undergraduate students?

Definitely not! Students graduating from any type of degree would benefit from these sessions.

Accessibility

By and large the location options for these sessions are accessible by wide and flat walkways. I will ask on my pre-session form for any mobility differences that I should keep in mind when designing the session, so make sure to utilize that section if there are any concerns.

Book Now!

Graduation is nearly here and the deadline for the early bird offer of 50% is even earlier (Friday, April 11, 2025 with the code - CONGRATS2025), so book before you leave this page and this moves farther down your to-do list.

To book, click the button below and choose your desired session type (i.e. Graduate only, Graduate + Family, or Graduate Friend Group). Then select a time slot, fill out the form, and pay the sitting fee. I’ll follow up with a session contract to secure your spot.