Big Group Grad Photos at Notre Dame’s Grotto
This big group grad photo session is being highlighted on the blog for a few reasons. The Grotto was as beautiful as it gets with early morning light and hundreds of stunning pink tulips. It looks like this so briefly. This group totally lucked out. We shot Friday morning and by Sunday evening, the flowers were all decapitated by the aggressive landscaping crew. I also wanted to highlight what a large group (10 gal pals) can look like and what can be expected. Finally, I loved that they rep’d their Dorm (Lewis!) where they all met Freshmen year.
Let’s get into it!
The Grotto
When it’s good, it’s good! Guys, it was good on this April morning. The Grotto is one of the most iconic landmarks at Notre Dame, and it is very special to most students. It’s beautiful, but the fact that it’s a contemplative, prayerful place that many students take advantage of during their four years on campus makes it one of the most requested locations on my intake questionnaire.
However, all Grotto photos are not created equal! Taking photos at the Grotto can be very hard, so future graduates, take note! Morning light is beautiful and even. The sun is behind you, even more so since the Grotto area is on lower ground next to the lake. These photos were taken during a morning, sunrise session about one hour into our session. The sun had only been up an hour, and it’s still behind the tree line visible behind the ladies. That’s important to take note of, because when the sun starts its trek toward sunset over the water, it gets very bright and very hard to take a portrait that showcases both your group and the iconic landmark. Why? Without going too far into a boring photography science explanation, It becomes unflattering. First, you are staring directly toward the sun as it sets over the lake across the street. The lake is a wide open, very reflective space with just a handful of trees to filter the evening light. Put yourself in that position, facing the sun directly. Think about it… you’ll be squinting, eyes watering, and you will look like you’re glowing bright white in your dress.
I have absolutely taken that picture. I have also hid groups in teeny tiny pockets of shade with different angles, and even taken back-lit pictures on the Grotto path. It’s totally doable in the evening, but you won’t have the same results of the pictures you see above.
It’s worth mentioning again about the, um, eager? landscape crew that comes in like a whirlwind as soon as the flowers start to drop a petal or two. Mad props to their speed and efficiency, but the flowers DO NOT LAST around here. This was the last of them. The next day had rain and by the second day after there was about 12 feet of pink left on one side. Then, they were dug up and replanted. Poof! Gone within days. This shot is incredibly lucky timing and will only happen for about 3-4 sessions of the year, so it’s helpful to set your expectations from the beginning!
Planning tip: morning sessions in mid to late April are the best chances of getting a beautiful Grotto shot like this.
Lewis Hall
Lewis Girls! Getting a few photos here where this bunch first met was son the top of the list. They all brought their dorm sweatshirts to throw over their dresses for a couple photos in front of the signage. We took a bunch of roomie photos in the same spot. We moved just a little bit to this Golden Dome view seen from the less popular side, since that is the view this group holds near and dear.
Another session this year brought me back to Lewis Hall. That bunch had the unfortunate timing of wanting their dorm photos taken during move-out. From what I understand, students have a very short window of time that they are allowed to be moving out. We tried to allow for plenty of quick-footed back and forth of bins, boxes and suitcases, but it was a little bit crazy! This is a good reminder: a lot of our time together is spent waiting. Waiting for the champagne spot, and waiting for our turn on the steps of the main building are obvious. Waiting for little things like dorm room move-outs is just another example!
Planning tip: This group of 10 added an extra half hour to their session, so they’d have time for a few “extras” like these roommate shots. Dorm sweatshirts and cords are a fun extra accessory to bring if your group is all from the same building.
Notre Dame Stadium
I still can’t believe that the University removed the class gates from the stadium. Taking photos in front of the Senior and Graduate Students signage was an absolute requirement for every grad photo session up until this year. Notre Dame, if you are reading this, bring it back! The students want it!
Notre Dame Stadium first thing in the morning is when you can really see the gold lettering in the sign in photos. This is the still one of the most popular spots to take graduation photos with your group. Some people even opt for the champagne pop or cap toss at this location.
Planning tip: Both the library lawn and stadium have issues at times. Gates, construction vehicles, chairs in the lawn, moving trucks, etc have all been shot around in different sessions, depending on what’s going on that day. Be flexible!
Details I’m Loving
The student that hired me in this group was herself a cap and gown photographer. It’s always an honor when another photographer hires you! I also had my first girl that was in two different groups that hired me. It was so fun seeing a familiar face.
I loved that this group had a really clear purpose for each location. I’m adding a few things to the prep guide thanks to working with this bunch.
Bring a hairbrush in case it’s windy
If it’s cold to start your session like ours was, wear sweats under your dress. A lot of these girls came dressed for winter (think coats, sweats, blankets), and stripped the extra layers at each landmark til we warmed up.
While the plastic dry cleaning bags over the gowns can get super annoying in the wind, it is nice to have one if you need to lay your gown down on dew-wet grass in the morning.
The tulips were blooming at the Grotto the last full week of April, not yet in bloom on April 8th, gone by April 28th this year. Take note!
Client Love
omg you are amazing, thank you so so much!!
we are all at dinner and are so in love! they look amazing!
A group of 10 is a great size for grad photos, but I definitely recommend reserving an extra half hour so you’ll have time for individual portraits. With the extra half hour, we were able to quickly get individuals at the Dome and the Grotto of all 10 ladies. Prioritizing where you’d like to spend the most time goes a long way in your planning, so talk it through with your bunch. What is the most important?
Without the extra half-hour, we would have had to cut at least one location and likely not been able to do the dorm roommate photos. I am a very quick shooter, but again, most of the time during these 75 minute sessions is spent not taking pictures. Walking takes the most time. Taking the gowns and stoles on and off is another huge wait time. That dry cleaner plastic is something I have a love/hate relationship with. It’s annoying and takes time to deal with. Lastly, waiting on the prime locations is a guarantee. With any more than 7 students, I highly recommend adding the extra time.
Pricing details for Group Grad Photos can be found here.