There is something special about photographing a graduation session in a place that holds so many memories, and Melina’s session at the University of Florida felt exactly like that from the very beginning.


We started just before sunrise inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium while the campus was still quiet and the light was soft and golden. That early morning calm created such a unique atmosphere. The empty stadium combined with the glow of the sunrise gave her photos a timeless, almost surreal feel that you just cannot recreate later in the day.


After finishing inside the stadium, we moved out front to capture some of those classic graduation moments with the iconic UF backdrop. From there, the session naturally turned into more of a walk through her college experience. Over the course of 90 minutes, we explored different areas across campus, stopping at places that meant something to her along the way.


One of the most meaningful stops was her first dorm. Not only was it where her college journey began, but it is also one of the oldest residence halls on campus. Being able to photograph her there added such a personal and full circle moment to the session.


What made this session stand out was not just the locations, but the story behind each one. Every stop represented a different chapter of her time at UF, and you could really feel that throughout the shoot. By the end, it felt like more than just a graduation session. It felt like a celebration of everything she has accomplished and experienced over the years.


Sessions like this are always a reminder of why these moments matter. Graduation goes by quickly, but having photos in the places that shaped those years allows those memories to stick around long after the cap and gown are put away.

 

FROM THE SESSION:

 

University of Florida graduate poses in cap and gown outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on a sunny day.
Young woman in graduation cap and gown poses among pink flowers and trees on a sunny college campus.
Young woman in white dress posing outside University of Florida Ben Hill Griffin Stadium gate.
Young woman in white dress with teal graduation stole stands on field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, The Swamp.
Young woman in white dress and heels posing at an empty orange football stadium on a sunny day.
Graduate in white dress holds cap with UF stole at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during golden hour.
Smiling UF graduate in blue dress poses on Bull Gator statue at University of Florida campus.
Young woman in light blue dress sits beside bronze alligator globe sculpture at University of Florida.
A young woman in a white dress and blue graduation stole poses outdoors near a university tower on a sunny day.
Female graduate wearing UF teal sash over white dress poses confidently outside brick university building.
Laughing UF graduate wearing teal graduation stole poses outdoors on University of Florida campus.
Excited female graduate in UF sash sits on bench with suitcase, arm raised, outside brick campus building.
Female graduate in white dress walks away with suitcase, waving goodbye on a sunny college campus pathway.
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