St Andrews Graduation Photography
St Andrews Graduation Summer 2025. Credit: Louise Anderbjork Photography
Graduation season in the Scottish seaside town of St Andrews is always a truly special time. As spring fades into summer, the streets, quads, and beaches fill with excitement, joy, and tradition. For me as a photographer, and recent graduate of St Andrews myself, having the opportunity to provide St Andrews graduation photography is one of the greatest privileges.
This past July, as many summers before it, I spent a full week photographing the University of St Andrews’ summer graduations, and it reminded me again why graduation photography is such a unique and rewarding experience. Yes, the days are long - often averaging over 25,000 steps, back-to-back shoots from morning until evening, and many late nights editing over coffee - but the smiles and reactions when graduates see their photos make every moment worth it.
Why St Andrews Is Perfect for Graduation Photos
The University of St Andrews is one of the most photogenic places in the world to graduate. From the iconic St Salvator’s Quad and the historic university buildings, to the dramatic views along West Sands beach, every corner of the town offers a backdrop steeped in history and beauty.
When preparing for a week of graduation photography in St Andrews, I always take time to re-familiarise myself with the popular locations as well as scout out hidden gems. While everyone wants a classic shot in front of the Chapel door, it’s also wonderful to capture something unique that reflects each graduate’s personal experience of St Andrews. Those photos are usually the ones that end up coming away as my favourites of the season.
St Andrews Graduation Summer 2025. Credit: Louise Anderbjork Photography
Balancing Preparation and Creativity
One of the challenges of graduation week is making sure each 15-minute shoot feels relaxed and unrushed, even with a packed schedule. Preparation is key, knowing your equipment inside out, planning a base set of locations, and making sure the session flows smoothly.
This preparation and adaptability will allow you to capture real smiles, genuine laughter, and natural emotion every time, because your knowledge and confidence is helping the graduates feel comfortable in front of the camera. A bit of small talk, a shared laugh, or even just taking a moment to breathe between poses can make all the difference.
By creating a relaxed and friendly environment, I’m able to capture not just formal portraits, but candid moments that families will treasure for years.
Behind the Scenes – The Photographer’s Side
Graduation photography isn’t just about the shoot itself though, there’s a huge amount of post-production work involved. With hundreds of graduates to photograph in a single week, the editing backlog can be daunting.
My own system is to never finish a day without sorting every photo into organised folders, ready for editing. That often means swapping my lunch break for a quick coffee shop date with my hard drive. It’s intense, but it keeps me on top of things when the editing crunch arrives.
And while those late nights can feel endless, there’s nothing like the moment you deliver a gallery of finished graduation photos. Seeing the graduate’s reaction, knowing you’ve captured their memories forever, and recognising your own growth as a photographer, that’s the most rewarding part of the whole experience.
If you’re graduating soon, from St Andrews or beyond, and would like to book a session, I’d love to help capture your memories. Whether you want the classic university shots, something creative and unique, or a mix of both, I’ll make sure you walk away with photos you’ll cherish for life.
St Andrews Graduation Summer 2025. Credit: Louise Anderbjork Photography