Featured Senior Session: Autumn’s Cornell University Graduation

“Do you photograph college graduating seniors too, because I really love your work!”

Um…ABSOLUTELY, I’d love to!!! and there began Autumns Cornell Graduating Senior Portrait session.

In addition to being photographed in many of the iconic Cornell locations like the Clocktower, Arts Quad and A.D. White Library, Autumn being the creative soul she is had some fabulous ideas in mind for her portrait session.

When she is not elbow deep into Calculus, Chemistry and Fluid Mechanics textbooks she likes to spend her time creating Calligraphy Art and singing in the University Choir and A Cappella Group. She created this gorgeous plaque which we decided to showcase during the portion of the session where she was with her parents celebrating her amazing accomplishments.

And celebrating we did! From glitter, to confetti (and even a champagne bottle explosion) We wanted to make sure that we captured all the joy that is graduating from Cornell University! Receiving a Chemical Engineering degree from Cornell is quite the occasion!

We also had to make sure that her boyfriend, a fellow Cornell Graduate was able to get in on some of the fun with her. 🙂

Next up, we took a trip down to the Arts Quad. The iconic arches and architecture make such a stellar backdrop for any happy graduate.

Her parents were sure to bring out all the bells and whistles here. They came equipped with not only confetti, glitter and champagne, but also some party props, and a beautifully decorated cap that her father created for her. Creativity certainly runs in the family!

Next up we attempted to head to the AD White Library, only to find that much to our dismay (and the posted schedule) it was closed during the Cornell Graduation weekend ceremony time. Fortunately we had a plan b to capture the nerdy side of Autumn.

We set up shop on the lawn in front of the iconic clocktower picnic style for a impromptu grande finale study session. Here is where Autumn’s hardworking, lighthearted and genuine personality really showed through. This was her 100% in her element.

Science books, protractors, calculators, pencils oh my! From laying on my belly in the grass to hovering overhead, I had to make sure to get ALL of the angles. These are some of my favorite images from her portrait session!

Graduating from an ivy league college absolutely required us spending some time in front of IVY! Fortunately its covering nearly half of the buildings surrounding the clocktower. Here we are at Sage Chapel getting those golden headshots. Here’s what you would see if you were walking by us.

And here is what I’m seeing through my lens. Now you know why you’ll often find me tucked into the sides of buildings hiding out the shade being a weirdo. lol

One of Autumns favorite classes she took in college was Elementary Korean. Being half Korean herself, she loved the opportunity to take a rigorous immersion in the language. It was also important to her to pay homage to her Korean ancestry through her portraits. Here she is pictured in a traditional Korean Hanbok.

Those of you have worked with me already also know that at some point, you’ll end up in either a flower bush or a tree during your portrait session. Here’s a little bit of what you’ll see walking by. Autumn, who is much taller than me, did an exceptional job getting those squats in for me, it really is all about those angles!

This is what I see through the lens. So worth each of those squats!

When I asked Autumn what she wanted to be remembered for, she said a reliable friend who puts others first and exhibits grace. Her grace really shines through in these portraits.

I’ve been really enjoying watching her step into her new position in Arizona as a Processing Engineer for Intel. She is such an inspiring role model for women who are aspiring for a career in STEM, and I can see her being an incredible mentor in her industry. Here’s to paving the way for others to follow Autumn!