When we see good light, we have an obligation to play with it to create dramatic and artistic graduation photography.

That also includes playing with black and white grad photos, bringing a classic and traditional feel.

CPP is short for Cal Poly Pomona (or California Polytechnic University, Pomona). It’s a gem hidden in a valley between freeways.

This is a CPP graduation photography portrait session. Cal Poly Pomona is a polytechnic university located in Pomona, Southern California, on the eastern edge of Los Angeles County.

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We always love to see photography from a unique and different perspective, so when we see angles like this next one, we have fun with it!

Here is a closeup detail photo for the College of Agriculture.

And when we get the chance, we love to get a quick photo of family and friends that happen to be there during the graduation photography session.

We always encourage bringing props for some fun photos. We also clean up afterwards (which we wish some other photographers would kindly do)!

And you have to love the decorated graduation cap.

It’s quite a beautiful campus near sunset at CPP. The funny thing is the campus has changed since the CLA building was removed, as seen in the background of this grad photo session.

When life gives you flowers, we like to think our pictures get a little rosier.

There is a gazebo in the middle of the Rose garden at Cal Poly Pomona (CPP for short).

There is also a lovely bridge in the Japanese Garden at CPP also.

And what grad photo session wouldn’t be complete without a large CPP logo at dusk?

The post {M} Cal Poly Pomona Graduation Photos appeared first on Dreams + Darlings.

The great thing about photography at this park in Pasadena is that there is an iconic and historic bridge in the background of any photo pointing up.

And it’s always fun getting images of the siblings (in this case a brother and sister).

We love the lush green backdrop in this family photo.

And here’s a wide shot of them being under the bridge.

And this is a just a super cute image of the parents kissing while the two children hug in the background.

And it’s always nice to capture the love that started this whole family.

This is a Pasadena family photo session at the Desiderio Neighborhood Park, a relatively new park that sits underneath the Colorado Street Bridge near the 210 freeway. Make sure to check out other examples of our family photography on our blog, such as sessions at the iconic Pasadena City Hall.

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The post {N} Scripps College Graduation Photos | Claremont Colleges appeared first on Dreams + Darlings.

Starting in a Long, Picturesque Hallway at Pasadena City Hall

We started the family photography session in a long, large hallway on one of the four edges of Pasadena City Hall.

And of course we have to get a cute family portrait of the three children together!

Individual Child Portraits

We then got individual portrait photos of each of the three children.

The Pasadena City Hall Water Fountain

The HUGE water fountain is in the center of the courtyard and makes for a great backdrop for family photos. It’s definitely a centerpiece and is awesome for family photography at the Pasadena City Hall.

We got a little creative with this family photo, using a technique of “dragging the shutter” to blur out the children.

And here is a cute collage to wrap up the part of the session in the courtyard of Pasadena City Hall.

Family Photos at Pasadena City Hall

This a a family photography portrait session at the Pasadena City Hall in Los Angeles County. It’s an icon of the city and a cultural centerpiece. It’s a great backdrop for family photos in Pasadena. This session includes an Asian family with a husband, wife, and three children (specifically two daughters and one son).

The post {G} Family Photos @ Pasadena City Hall appeared first on Dreams + Darlings.

Starting the Pasadena Graduation Photos with Portraits

We started with individual grad portraits in a long hallway.

And we squeezed in family photos with mom and dad while we were at it!

And Some Family Photos Too

We did more family photos with her whole family, all the sisters and brothers together. We don’t mind combining the two sessions together.

She brought large balloons for 21 as a prop, and we got her in front of the large water fountain in the middle of the courtyard.

And we had her blowing some bubbles for a quick and cute grad photo, because why not.

Changing From Graduation Clothes to a Gown

After that, she changed into a lovely purple gown for us to finish the session, getting more Pasadena family photos with her parents and siblings.

Pasadena Graduation Photography in Los Angeles County

This a an example of a graduation portrait photography session at Pasadena City Hall in Los Angeles County. Pasadena City Hall is a historic building and is considered an icon of the region. It’s a perfect spot for graduation photos and also for Pasadena family photography, of which we often combine the sessions together if time permits. Make sure to look around the rest of our blog to see many examples of graduation portraits in Los Angeles County.

The post {C} Pasadena Graduation Photography, Pasadena City Hall appeared first on Dreams + Darlings.