In mid-May family members from across the west coast made the journey up to Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA to celebrate, and I got to take the graduation photos! Congratulations for graduating, and for all your hard work!
So, short, ridiculous story time: unusual late-season rain was predicted for this weekend. I knew this. I checked the weather report and alerted the rest of the family, and then promptly FORGOT to pack ANY rain gear. So the following photos are a result of me trying to get across the stadium to the covered seats while holding my 30 lb toddler on one shoulder, heavy camera bag on the other, diaper bag on my back, and OH also during the rain, too. 😛 I got barricaded by the influx of graduates on the way in and it ended up being the perfect location. Somehow I managed to hold everything and also get some great shots of the graduate walking in!
Enjoy these cool, rainy HSU graduation photos!
It was really rainy and cold! There was a reception after the graduation but most of the family didn’t attend because the kids all got way too cold.
….and hungry. Here is my bedraggled toddler that is cold and wet and looking like Hannibal but I promise it’s just freeze-dried strawberry crumbs (Trader Joe’s has them and my kid thinks they’re candy). Photo credit to my brother-in-law.
We headed back to our AirBnB for an at-home reception instead!
My mother-in-law took a cake decorating class as a teenager and bakes fabulous and tasty cakes. This was a carrot cake with white chocolate cream cheese frosting.
The curl game in this family is strong.
Peekaboo!
The kids were so excited about running up and down the (slippery) ramp to the porch.
I don’t even know what’s going on here. XD
Probably my favorite from the day!
Taking a quick break…
…and back at it!
Finally it got way too rainy to be outside.
So good to see family! Next up – our adventures in Fern Canyon when it was beautifully sunny.
Kristen Hazelton is an Oak Park, IL (Chicago, IL metro area) and Livermore, CA (San Francisco East Bay Area) senior, family, and engagement photographer. She occasionally photographs in San Diego, CA, Tucson, AZ, and Seattle, WA. You can inquire about your own photoshoot here!