GRADUATION
PHOTOSHOOTS
cap and gown photos for graduates of every kind
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Welcome, friends
Let's celebrate your accomplishments!
I'm Kristen, a Chicago graduation photographer offering graduation photoshoots and card design services to clients in Chicagoland, the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and beyond. This is a busy and exciting time in your life! Let me streamline the photo and graduation card design process for you!
Graduation Photoshoots
As seen IN:
"Kristen was wonderful! She really took the time to get to know me and what I wanted out of my senior photos. The shoot was so much fun and I couldn’t be happier with the results!"
- Client
UCHICAGO
Graduating from college, 8th grade, getting an advanced or technical degree? Let's make sure your memories of these milestones are beautifully captured and preserved in heirloom albums and wall art. I'm a Chicago graduation photographer who also happily serves the San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego.
CHicago
Graduation
Photographer
CALIFORNIA AND
My Approach
On the day of your graduation photoshoot, come prepared to have fun! We'll get a posed shot for the camera, as well as candids to capture your personality.
Within three weeks your gallery will be ready. Choose your favorite images for your cards and I'll take care of the design and ordering!
Reach out for a list of available dates and times for your grad photos. After booking, check out the comprehensive session and style guide I'll send your way!
an experience so fun the beautiful photos will nearly be an afterthought
GRAD Photo IDEAS
CURATED GALLERIES
LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
SAN FRANCISCO
NORTHWESTERN
UC SAN DIEGO
MIDWESTERN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
DePAUL
UI CHICAGO
UC SANTA BARBARA
PURDUE NW
Graduation PhotoSHOOTS
Your
Graduation Story
Brilliant
I know you might be thinking, are grad pictures really that important?
YES. Grad photos are an important way to remember and celebrate this milestone moment in your life. It’s a beautiful way of celebrating your accomplishments, friendships, and create a lovely mementos of the time you spent in school!
It’s just really fun to have a photoshoot and take a moment to reflect on your hard work, your time at school, and look great in the process! Across the board my clients say that they love their experience and have such a fun time during the photoshoot that the gorgeous portraits are nearly an afterthought.
Don’t let this special time pass you by without booking a professional. You don’t want to regret missing out on beautiful grad photos because you thought you could DIY it!
EXPERIENCE YOU CAN TRUST
70
5-star
Google reviews
7
years in business
19
awards for customer service excellence
4
awards for portrait artistry
9
times named a Top 100 Senior Photographer in the U.S.
Worried about wearing your cap and gown the right way?
I’ve got you. I’ll be paying close attention during your session, but you can also prep by reading all about it on the blog.
Wondering what to wear under your cap and gown? Do you wear a suit or not?
I have a blog full of ideas, and will supply a comprehensive style guide when you book. :)
Asking yourself, "How do I pose for graduation photos?"
Not to worry, - this is my job, not yours! I gently coach your posing every step of the way! Clients tell me they often start their sessions nervous and worried about what to do with their hands and leave feeling comfortable, pumped up, having had the best time. You can also read about my posing tips for feminine and masculine presenting folks on the blog. :)
having some of these thoughts?
featured blog
I promise it is NOT the day you think it is.
"I would absolutely recommend Kristen if you are looking for a fun photography session with excellent results!"
I recently worked with Kristen for my graduation photography, and I had a wonderful experience! Kristen was extremely kind and understanding while also making us feel comfortable throughout the entire process. I loved the results of each photo as they beautifully captured this milestone. It was evident that she carefully crafted each image. I would absolutely recommend Kristen if you are looking for a fun photography session with excellent results!
- Client, Loyola UC c/o 2026
01 / 03
“Kristen made my photoshoot dreams come true by helping me every step of the way.”
If you're looking for someone to showcase your four long years of hard work, Kristen is the photographer to choose hands down. Kristen made my photoshoot dreams come true by helping me every step of the way. Choosing outfits, locations in Chicago, and hitting the right pose was seamless when working with Kristen...I highly recommend working with Kristen for timeless photos to help you celebrate your greatest accomplishments...Thank you, Kristen and her team, for everything. I can't wait for our next shoot at my next graduation!
- Client, Midwestern class of '26
02 / 03
“Kristen makes you feel so comfortable in your skin on shoot day!”
Kristen did my medical school graduation photo shoot in Chicago and the gallery turned out absolutely incredible! Her instructions were very clear and made me feel prepared leading up to the shoot. Kristen makes you feel so comfortable in your skin on shoot day and really captures your personality in every photo. They turned out so beautiful, I could not have asked for a better day! I cannot thank her enough for capturing these beautiful memories that my family and I will cherish forever!
- Client, Midwestern c/o '25
03 / 03
"Her professionalism stood out from day one - she handled every detail seamlessly."
I couldn't be happier with Kristen and the incredible job she did with my law school graduation photos. This was such a huge milestone in my life, and she truly brought my vision to life in the most beautiful way.
Her professionalism stood out from day one - she handled every detail seamlessly, which allowed me to just focus on celebrating this major accomplishment. When she said 'trust the process,' I'm so glad I did! The results speak for themselves.
The photos are absolutely stunning and perfectly capture this momentous achievement. I now have these gorgeous images that I'll treasure forever as a reminder of all the hard work that led to this moment. She has such a gift for understanding what her clients want and delivering beyond expectations.
I would highly recommend Kristen Hazelton Photography to anyone looking for a photographer who combines exceptional skill with genuine care for making your special moments shine. Thank you for giving me these perfect memories!
-Client, Northwestern c/o 2025
Chicago
The Metropolitan areas Where I work AS A
San Francisco
Santa Barbara
San Diego
Seattle
Monterey
Get on the mailing list to know my travel schedule and get first pick of photoshoot dates! I am also available for custom travel for destination photoshoots.
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DESTINATION PHOTOGRAPHER
"If you're looking for someone to showcase your four long years of hard work, Kristen is the photographer to choose hands down. Kristen made my photoshoot dreams come true by helping me every step of the way."
- Client, MIDWESTERN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY C/O '26
is that a yes?
Book Your Date
Let's get the ball rolling! Send me allllll the details - type of photoshoot, your thoughts on when and where - everything you've been dreaming! Let's make it happen, friend! I can't wait to hear what you're thinking!
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Fill out the form for my pricing guide and FAQ - it takes just one minute!
It's totally okay if you don't have a clear vision yet for your photoshoot - many clients don't! My job is to help and offer suggestions. :)
I can't wait to hear from you! I will get back to you shortly so if you haven't heard from me after two days please check your spam folder!
Fill out the form for my pricing guide and FAQ - it takes just one minute!
It's totally okay if your ideas are vague. My job is to help and offer suggestions. :)
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