Graduation Portraits in the Heart of NYC


Zanir graduated from Columbia University with his master’s degree in engineering, and his family traveled from Texas to New York City to celebrate this huge milestone with him.


Because Columbia’s campus was closed during graduation events, we decided to take his graduation portraits at the Stephen A. Schwarzman New York Public Library instead. It ended up being the perfect location for the kind of photos they envisioned. They wanted the session to feel both academic and unmistakably New York, and the NYPL gives exactly that combination. Between the iconic architecture, grand staircases, and classic city backdrop outside the library, every part of the session felt timeless and sophisticated.



Graduation sessions are always about more than just documenting the degree itself. They capture the transition into a completely new chapter of life, and there was such a strong sense of pride and excitement throughout the entire afternoon with Zanir and his family.

Smiling man in green shirt and jeans holding a light blue jacket in an elegant corridor with arched ceilings.

Portraits Inside the New York Public Library


We started the session indoors inside the library where the architecture immediately created such a dramatic and elegant backdrop for portraits. The lighting throughout the building paired beautifully with Zanir’s graduation attire and gave the gallery such a polished editorial feel while still keeping the session relaxed and personal.


One thing I loved about photographing Zanir was how calm and genuinely happy he seemed throughout the session. You could tell he was soaking in the accomplishment while also enjoying having his family there to celebrate with him.


We also captured portraits with his family throughout the library, which added another emotional layer to the gallery.

Family members traveling in for graduation weekends always makes the day feel even more meaningful because it becomes such a celebration of everyone who helped support that journey along the way.

Four people sitting on marble steps in front of an ornate building with large wooden doors.

Classic NYC Graduation Photos Outside the Library


After photographing indoors, we headed outside for additional portraits on the library steps and around the iconic Fifth Avenue entrance. The outside of the NYPL is one of my favorite locations for graduation portraits because it immediately gives that classic New York City atmosphere while still feeling elevated and timeless. The combination of the architecture, city movement, and graduation attire created such a strong NYC academic feel throughout the gallery.


We spent time taking both solo portraits of Zanir and family photos together outside while the city moved around us.

Some of my favorite images from the session were actually the more candid moments between posed photos: his family adjusting his gown, laughing together on the library steps, and simply taking in the excitement of the day.

The entire session felt joyful, proud, and celebratory without feeling overly formal.


Graduating with a master’s degree is such a huge accomplishment, and documenting that milestone in a location as iconic as the New York Public Library made the gallery feel especially memorable.

Smiling graduate in light blue cap and gown holding mortarboard at graduation ceremony.
Man in graduation gown holding documents stands by window in black and white photo.
Smiling man in light blue graduation gown with crown emblems posing by ornate stone column.
Smiling man in green shirt and jeans holds light blue jacket over shoulder in elegant arched corridor.
Family of three posing in ornate hallway, young man in light blue graduation gown flanked by parents in formal attire.
Family of four poses in elegant hallway during graduation celebration, graduate wearing light blue robe.
Young man in graduation gown smiling while leaning on marble railing in black and white photo.
Smiling graduate in light blue graduation gown stands at ornate balcony inside museum with Declaration exhibit backdrop.
Graduate in cap and gown stands on balcony before Declaration sign in black and white.
Man in light blue traditional attire smiling on a balcony inside a grand museum near a Declaration exhibit.
Four people posing together on a marble balcony near a Declaration exhibit in a formal building.
Close-up of smiling family of four celebrating graduation in ornate corridor, graduate in blue robe.
Group of four people smiling together at a graduation event near a Declaration exhibit.
Young man in light blue graduation gown sitting on stone steps, smiling, holding cap, wearing white sneakers.
Two young men sit on marble stairs, one wearing a light blue graduation robe and cap.

Looking for a photographer for NYC grad photos?


If you are graduating from Columbia, NYU, or another NYC university and want graduation photos that feel polished, natural, and connected to your experience in New York City, I would love to document this chapter for you.