Graduation looks a little different when you’re finishing nursing school, and this back-to-back graduation session at Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) in Tacoma was the perfect example of how meaningful and personal senior and college graduation photos can be.
This session celebrated two nursing graduates, joined by two close friends who were also graduating in December, and one very special guest, a four-month-old baby boy who made this milestone even more memorable. From iconic campus landmarks to quiet moments inside the library, this shoot told a full story of accomplishment, friendship, and family.
A Meaningful Graduation Session at Pacific Lutheran University
PLU’s campus offers an incredible variety of backdrops, which made it ideal for photographing multiple graduates in one afternoon. We began the session at the iconic PLU sign, a must-have location for Pacific Lutheran University graduation photos. The bold yellow letters instantly ground the images in place and significance, making them perfect for announcements, keepsakes, and family albums.
PLU’s campus offers an incredible variety of backdrops, which made it ideal for photographing multiple graduates in one afternoon. We began the session at the iconic PLU sign, a must-have location for Pacific Lutheran University graduation photos. The bold yellow letters instantly ground the images in place and significance, making them perfect for announcements, keepsakes, and family albums.
Nursing Scrubs, Regalia, and Real Life Moments
One of my favorite parts of this session was how intentionally the graduates chose to tell their story through wardrobe. We photographed them in:
- Hospital scrubs, honoring the work and dedication that carried them through nursing school
- Graduation regalia, symbolizing the milestone they worked so hard to reach
- Formal dresses, creating timeless portraits that felt elevated and celebratory
This blend of looks created galleries that felt authentic and layered, not just “graduation photos,” but a visual timeline of who they are and what they’ve accomplished.
Graduation Photos with a Baby on Campus
One graduate brought her four-month-old son, which added a beautiful and emotional layer to the session. Including him in both campus and indoor portraits created images that will mean even more as the years pass, a reminder of balancing education, career goals, and motherhood all at once.
One graduate brought her four-month-old son, which added a beautiful and emotional layer to the session. Including him in both campus and indoor portraits created images that will mean even more as the years pass, a reminder of balancing education, career goals, and motherhood all at once.
Bringing a baby to a graduation session adds an extra layer of meaning, turning portraits into family heirlooms rather than just cap-and-gown photos. I love documenting milestones like these, from graduation portraits with little ones to cultural family celebrations like this Annaprashana ceremony in Everett, where the focus is entirely on connection and legacy.
Indoor Graduation Photos in the PLU Library
After outdoor portraits, we moved inside the Pacific Lutheran University library, which offered a quieter, more intimate setting. The tall bookshelves and academic atmosphere were a perfect fit for nursing graduates, especially for detail shots featuring stethoscopes, caps, tassels, and nursing pins.
Library sessions are especially ideal for December graduates, when weather can be unpredictable and daylight fades earlier in the afternoon. The indoor portion of this session balanced the bright, iconic campus shots with a calm, reflective tone.
I often recommend libraries for winter sessions, similar to this Suzzallo Library senior photo session in Seattle, which shows how elegant indoor graduation portraits can feel.
Celebrating Friendship Alongside Achievement
Graduation doesn’t happen in isolation, and photographing these graduates alongside their friends highlighted the importance of shared support. From laughing together at the PLU sign to quieter moments inside the library, the images reflect years of studying, clinical rotations, and encouragement that led to this moment.
These types of group graduation sessions work especially well for college seniors who want both individual portraits and images that honor the people who helped them get there.
Why PLU Is a Great Location for Graduation Photos
Pacific Lutheran University is one of the best locations for graduation photography in the Tacoma area. It offers recognizable landmarks, beautiful green spaces, and indoor options that work year-round. Whether you’re graduating in spring or winter, PLU provides flexibility and visual variety that allows sessions to feel complete and personal.
This nursing graduation session was a reminder that graduation photography isn’t just about caps and gowns; it’s about documenting a turning point in life, especially when that milestone is shared with friends and family.
Planning Your Own PLU Graduation Session
If you’re graduating from Pacific Lutheran University and want photos that feel meaningful, relaxed, and true to your story, I’d love to help plan your session. Whether you’re finishing nursing school, celebrating a December graduation, or including your family in your portraits, your session can be customized to reflect exactly where you are in life.
I photograph high school, colleg and university graduates throughout Tacoma, Seattle, and South King County, with a focus on storytelling, connection, and timeless images you’ll be proud to look back on.
I photograph college and nursing graduates throughout Tacoma, Seattle, and South King County, with a focus on storytelling, connection, and timeless images you’ll be proud to look back on. If you’re still deciding what fits your needs best, I walk through the options in my guide on which senior photo session is right for you.
December graduates often worry about timing, weather, and flexibility, but sessions like this show that there are beautiful options year-round, especially for students finishing in winter rather than spring. If you’re unsure when to schedule your own session, I break down the best timing for graduation photos in my guide on when to take senior photos in Seattle and Tacoma.
