Celebrating a Columbia Graduation in NYC


Graduation sessions always carry so much excitement, but Shiza’s session felt especially meaningful because her entire family traveled from Pakistan to celebrate this huge accomplishment with her.


Shiza graduated from Columbia University with her master’s degree in psychology, finishing her program four months early before spending some time back home with family. For graduation weekend, everyone flew into New York together to celebrate before heading out to dinner afterward.


Because Columbia’s campus was closed during graduation events, we decided to take portraits in Riverside Park instead, which ended up feeling especially fitting for the session. Riverside Park had been part of Shiza’s life throughout her time at Columbia, and the location still gave us that classic Upper West Side and academic NYC atmosphere while being close to campus.

Columbia University Graduate in blue coat tossing graduation cap in lush green park, celebrating academic achievement in Riverside Park.

Portraits With Family & Siblings


Although the family requested privacy and preferred not to have most of their group photos featured publicly, we captured so many sweet moments together throughout the session.


One of my favorite parts of graduation photography is documenting the people who helped support someone throughout such a major chapter of life. The excitement from Shiza’s family was obvious the entire afternoon.

Her siblings were especially fun to photograph with her because they were constantly making each other laugh between photos. You could tell how proud everyone was of her!


Alongside family portraits, we also focused heavily on individual graduation portraits throughout Riverside Park.

Shiza looked so happy and relaxed during the session, and that energy carried through every part of the gallery.

Smiling young woman in white lace dress holding a light blue graduation cap while sitting outdoors posing for Columbia graduation photos.

Graduation Portraits That Felt Personal & Joyful


One thing I loved about Riverside Park for this session was how naturally it balanced greenery, city scenery, and softer quieter spaces all within walking distance. The park created a beautiful backdrop without making the session feel overly formal or staged. We wandered through different areas of the park taking portraits that felt both celebratory and personal to Shiza’s time living in New York City during graduate school.


Graduation sessions are about much more than simply documenting a cap and gown. They are about capturing a major transition point in someone’s life and preserving the feeling of finally reaching something they worked incredibly hard toward. That feeling was present throughout the entire session.


Shiza brought such warmth and joy into the shoot, and the combination of family support, New York scenery, and post-graduation excitement made the afternoon feel incredibly special. As an NYC graduation photographer, these are always the sessions I love most because they tell a bigger story than just the degree itself.

Smiling young woman in light blue graduation cap and gown holding pink flowers bouquet outdoors.
Young woman in white dress holding light blue graduation gown over shoulder, smiling outdoors near stone balustrade.
Smiling young woman in light blue Columbia University graduation gown over white lace dress, posing outdoors.
Joyful young woman in Columbia University light blue graduation gown holding mortarboard cap, seated outdoors.
Happy graduate in white lace dress sitting outdoors holding light blue mortarboard cap with black tassel.
Young woman in white lace dress holding light blue graduation cap, smiling outdoors near blooming white flowers.
Smiling graduate in light blue graduation gown holding cap beside stone balustrade with white flowering trees.
Smiling female graduate in light blue cap and gown holding pink flower bouquet outdoors.
Happy graduate in white lace dress holding light blue diploma folder, seated on stone steps outdoors.
Smiling graduate in light blue cap and gown holding diploma outdoors in lush green park setting.
Smiling young woman in light blue Columbia University graduation gown posing outdoors among lush green trees.
Woman in white midi dress holding light blue coat and clutch, smiling outdoors near stone balustrade with flowers.
Woman in white dress tossing graduation cap outdoors, wearing blue academic hood, celebrating commencement.
Young woman in white dress sitting on stone steps in a garden with blooming flowers.
Smiling woman in light blue graduation gown over white dress, posing outdoors in a lush green park setting.

Looking for a graduation photographer in NYC?


If you are graduating from Columbia, NYU, or another NYC university and want graduation photos that feel candid, natural, and reflective of your experience in the city, I would love to document this milestone for you.