There are some sessions that just FEEL special from the very beginning, and Anna-Hayes’ fall graduate portraits at Clemson were absolutely one of those! From the moment she reached out about planning her session, I knew we were going to create something beautiful. She had this clear vision of honoring her nursing journey while also celebrating the pure joy of finally being done with one of the toughest programs at Clemson, and watching it all come together was absolutely magical!
Anna-Hayes is graduating with her nursing degree, which if you know anything about nursing school, you know is NO SMALL FEAT. We’re talking years of intense studying, clinical rotations that start before the sun comes up, skills labs, pharmacology exams that make you question everything, and somehow still finding time to have a life. So when it came time to plan her senior portraits, she wanted to make sure we captured both the professional achievement and the celebration she absolutely deserved!
When we met up on campus, the weather was PERFECT. That crisp fall air with just enough warmth to be comfortable, and the lighting? Chef’s kiss! We started at Tillman and Sikes Halls because you simply cannot graduate from Clemson without portraits in front of these iconic buildings. The red brick, the classic architecture, the way the afternoon sun hit the buildings—it created this timeless, elegant backdrop that screamed “accomplished Clemson graduate!”
Anna-Hayes looked absolutely stunning in her cap and gown against these academic buildings, and I loved how confident and proud she looked. These are the portraits you frame and hang in your first apartment, the ones your parents show off to everyone, the professional headshots that go on LinkedIn when you’re applying for that dream nursing position. But what made these shots extra special was when Anna-Hayes pulled out her stethoscope and draped it around her neck with her graduation regalia. Suddenly, these weren’t just generic grad photos—they were NURSING grad photos that honored all those early mornings, late nights, and everything she’d poured into this degree!
And then she surprised me with the most genius prop idea—saline flushes! Those little medical supplies that every nursing student knows intimately became the perfect detail to add authenticity and personality to her portraits. We incorporated them throughout the session, and they added this fun, unique element that immediately told everyone “she’s not just any graduate, she’s a NURSE!” I was obsessed with how creative and meaningful this was!
After capturing those classic academic shots at Tillman and Sikes, we made our way to the Reflection Pond, and honestly, this is where the magic really started happening! The Reflection Pond is one of my absolute favorite spots on campus because it’s just SO beautiful and serene. The water, the surrounding trees, the way everything reflects perfectly—it creates this dreamy, romantic atmosphere that photographs like an absolute dream!
Anna-Hayes was getting more relaxed and comfortable in front of the camera by this point, and you could see her personality really starting to shine through. We captured some gorgeous, contemplative shots by the water where she looked peaceful and proud, taking in this moment of achievement. The reflection in the pond added this beautiful depth to the images, and the natural setting felt so different from the structured academic buildings—it was like a breath of fresh air and a moment to just BE in the accomplishment!
But here’s where things got REALLY fun. Anna-Hayes had brought champagne because graduation absolutely deserves to be celebrated, and we decided the Reflection Pond was the perfect spot for her big champagne pop moment! The anticipation built as she held that bottle, and then POP! The cork went flying, champagne sprayed everywhere, and her face lit up with the biggest, most genuine smile of pure joy and celebration! With the beautiful pond and trees behind her, these shots captured exactly what this moment felt like—exciting, triumphant, and SO well-deserved! The energy in those images is absolutely electric, and every time I look at them, I can feel how happy and proud she was in that moment!
We wrapped up our session at Tiger Walk in front of the stadium, and this is where Anna-Hayes brought out those saline flushes again for one final nursing-student celebration! Standing in front of Memorial Stadium, this iconic Clemson landmark that represents so much tradition and Tiger pride, Anna-Hayes squirted those saline flushes in the air like the most perfect nursing-student version of a champagne celebration! It was playful, it was meaningful, it was SO her, and it perfectly captured the fun, accomplished energy of someone who survived nursing school and came out the other side ready to make a difference!
The juxtaposition of this medical supply celebration in front of the football stadium was just perfect—it represented both her Clemson pride and her nursing achievement in one incredible shot. These images had such personality and joy, and they’re the kind of photos that will make her smile every single time she looks at them because they capture not just what she accomplished, but WHO she is!
Anna-Hayes: Thank you so much for letting me be part of celebrating this incredible achievement! Your session was absolutely amazing, and I loved every second of capturing your nursing grad portraits. From the professional shots with your stethoscope at Tillman to that epic champagne pop at the Reflection Pond to the saline flush celebration at Tiger Walk—we captured your whole story! I hope you love these images as much as I loved creating them. Congratulations on conquering nursing school! Your future patients are so lucky to have someone as dedicated and wonderful as you caring for them!
Ready to plan YOUR Clemson grad session that celebrates your unique journey? Whether you’re a nursing major wanting to incorporate meaningful props from your program, or any graduate wanting to create portraits that tell YOUR specific story, I’d love to help! Let’s capture your achievement in a way that’s authentic, joyful, and totally YOU. Contact me today to book your session!
Let’s celebrate what makes your story special!
