Senior Portrait & Graduation Photo Guide for SUNY Potsdam, Clarkson, St. Lawrence & SUNY Canton Students
Whether you're finishing up at SUNY Potsdam, Clarkson University, St. Lawrence University, or SUNY Canton, your senior year flies by faster than you expect. Between classes, jobs, and trying to figure out what comes after graduation, getting senior portraits done often falls to the bottom of the list. But these photos matter more than you think—for LinkedIn, graduation announcements, family gifts, and having at least one professional photo where you don't look like you just rolled out of a dorm room.
This guide breaks down everything North Country college students need to know about getting senior portraits and graduation photos done right, without the stress or the inflated prices some photographers charge students who don't know better.
WHEN TO SCHEDULE YOUR SESSION
The Timing Problem
Most students wait until spring semester of senior year, which creates two problems. First, every other senior has the same idea, so photographers in Potsdam and Canton book up fast between March and May. Second, you're scrambling during your busiest semester—between final projects, job hunting, and senior week chaos.
The better move is fall semester of senior year or even spring of junior year. You'll have more scheduling flexibility, better weather options, and photos ready for job applications and LinkedIn updates before you actually need them.
Best Seasons for Each Campus
SUNY Potsdam: Fall is unbeatable. The campus near Ives Park and the Crane School of Music has incredible color in late September and early October. Spring works too, but you're gambling with mud season and unpredictable weather. Winter shots can be stunning if you're willing to bundle up between takes.
Clarkson University: The ERC area and campus green look excellent in fall. Winter shots with the brick buildings and snow have a classic New England college feel. Spring is fine but brief—green-up happens fast and then it's summer before you know it.
St. Lawrence University: Peak fall foliage around the quad and academic buildings is September through mid-October. The Java Barn area and Richardson Hall provide great backdrops year-round. Spring is solid but short-lived.
SUNY Canton: The newer campus buildings photograph well in any season. Fall colors around the campus green are excellent. Winter provides clean backgrounds but requires layers. Spring and summer work well for outdoor shots near the athletic fields.
LOCATION OPTIONS AROUND POTSDAM AND CANTON
On-Campus Locations
Each university has signature spots that say "I went here" without being cheesy about it.
SUNY Potsdam: Crane School of Music exterior, the columns near Kellas Hall, Ives Park bridge (technically off-campus but adjacent), the brick pathways near Barrington Student Union, fall foliage areas near the residence halls
Clarkson University: Student Center exterior, ERC and innovation areas, campus green in fall, brick building facades, engineering building exterior for STEM majors
St. Lawrence University: Richardson Hall and the quad, Griffiths Arts Center for arts students, Owen D. Young Library exterior, Java Barn area, Kirk Douglas Theatre for performing arts majors, athletic facilities for student athletes
SUNY Canton: Campus green and main academic buildings, newer residence hall areas, athletic facilities, technology building exteriors for tech program students
Off-Campus Locations in Potsdam and Canton
Sometimes the best senior portraits don't scream "college campus." Downtown Potsdam and Canton offer variety.
Downtown Potsdam: Market Street brick buildings, Ives Park (bridge, walking trails, river views), residential streets with historic homes, Bayside Cemetery for dramatic fall colors
Downtown Canton: Main Street village area, Heritage Park, Grasse River overlooks, historic buildings near the courthouse, St. Lawrence University's connection to the village
Massena and Surrounding Areas: Robert Moses State Park, St. Lawrence River waterfront, rural roads with open fields (great for athletes or STEM students wanting something different)
WHAT TO WEAR
The Cap and Gown Question
You'll need some shots in your cap and gown—that's non-negotiable for announcements and family expectations. But don't do the entire session in regalia. It's limiting, uncomfortable, and makes every photo look identical.
Plan for 15-20 minutes in cap and gown, then change into regular clothes for the rest of the session. This gives you variety and photos you'll actually want to use beyond graduation announcements.
Cap and Gown Tips by University:
SUNY Potsdam: Green and gold regalia. Pair with neutral clothing underneath since the gown color is bold. Make sure your cap sits level—nothing looks worse than a crooked mortarboard.
Clarkson University: Maroon and gold. Keep clothing underneath simple. Engineers and business students often add a tie or professional look under the gown for LinkedIn shots.
St. Lawrence University: Brown and scarlet regalia. Classic look that photographs well. Consider adding any honor cords or stoles you've earned.
SUNY Canton: Blue and gold. Bold color scheme that works well with most skin tones. Keep accessories minimal.
Casual Outfit Guidelines
Choose clothing that represents who you are but photographs well. This isn't the time for your rattiest hoodie or the shirt you've worn to every party since freshman year.
What Works:
Solid colors in jewel tones, earth tones, or classic navy and gray. These photograph cleanly and won't date your photos. For SUNY Potsdam and St. Lawrence students, consider incorporating school colors subtly—a maroon sweater or navy jacket.
Well-fitting jeans or khakis work for casual shots. For more professional photos (especially if you're job hunting), bring business casual options—button-downs, blouses, blazers.
Clarkson engineering and STEM students sometimes incorporate major-specific elements—a lab coat for science majors, hard hat for engineers—but keep it tasteful, not costume-like.
What Doesn't Work:
Busy patterns, thin stripes, or small checks create weird visual effects on camera. Logos and graphics date photos immediately—your Class of 2026 shirt will look outdated in five years. Neon colors distract from your face. Ill-fitting clothes look sloppy.
PROFESSIONAL VS. CASUAL SHOTS
Most students need both. Professional headshots work for LinkedIn, job applications, graduate school applications, and professional portfolios. Casual shots work for family, social media, and personal use.
Professional Headshot Essentials
SUNY Canton and Clarkson students heading into tech, engineering, or business fields need solid professional headshots. Your LinkedIn photo matters more than you think—recruiters judge you on it before reading your resume.
Keep it simple: neutral background, professional clothing, genuine expression. Smile with your eyes, not just your mouth. These shots should look like you on your best day at work, not like a completely different person.
St. Lawrence University and SUNY Potsdam students going into education, arts, or non-profit work can be slightly less formal but still professional. A friendly, approachable headshot works better than something too stiff.
Casual Senior Portrait Style
These are the photos that show personality. Props can work here—musical instruments for Crane School students, athletic gear for student athletes, books for English majors—but don't overdo it. One meaningful prop is enough.
Location matters more for casual shots. Downtown Potsdam, Ives Park, or the Grasse River provide better backgrounds than generic campus buildings. These photos should feel like you, not like a yearbook requirement.
WEATHER AND SEASONAL CONSIDERATIONS
North Country weather is unpredictable at best. Plan accordingly.
Fall (September-October)
Peak season for senior portraits across all four universities. Everyone wants fall colors, which means photographers book solid. The weather cooperates most of the time, but bring layers—September can be 75°F or 45°F depending on the week.
SUNY Potsdam and Clarkson campus colors peak late September through mid-October. St. Lawrence's campus peaks slightly earlier. SUNY Canton has a longer color window due to campus tree variety.
Winter (November-March)
Underrated for senior portraits. Snow provides clean backgrounds and dramatic lighting. Sessions are shorter due to cold, but the photos are worth it. Works best for students willing to tough out 15-20 minutes in the elements.
Clarkson and SUNY Canton's modern architecture looks excellent against snow. SUNY Potsdam and St. Lawrence's historic buildings get that classic winter campus feel.
Bring warm layers to wear between shots. Your photographer isn't making you freeze for no reason—good light and clean backgrounds require brief discomfort.
Spring (April-May)
Weather is a gamble. Mud season is real in Potsdam and Canton. Some years you get perfect 60°F days in April. Other years it's 40°F and raining through early May.
Spring green is beautiful but brief. If you're targeting spring, be flexible on exact dates and have a backup plan for rain.
Summer (June-August)
Works well if you're around campus for summer classes or research. Fewer students mean less competition for locations and photographer time. Weather is predictable—warm, humid, occasional thunderstorms.
Best for students who missed earlier sessions or want updated photos before job hunting in senior year.
COSTS AND PACKAGES
Student Budgets Are Real
Most college students can't drop $500 on senior portraits. Local Potsdam and Canton photographers know this and offer student-friendly packages, especially during peak season.
Expect to pay $150-$300 for a solid senior portrait session with digital files included. This typically includes 30-60 minutes of shooting time, multiple outfit changes, various locations, and a set number of edited digital images.
Avoid photographers who charge separately for digital files or force you to buy prints. You want the digital files to use for job applications, social media, and printing yourself.
What to Ask When Booking
How many edited photos are included? (Aim for at least 15-20 final images) Do I get digital files with printing rights? (The answer should be yes) What's included in the session time? (60-90 minutes is standard) Can we shoot at multiple locations? (Most local photographers will do 2-3 spots) What's the turnaround time? (2-3 weeks is typical) What happens if weather doesn't cooperate? (Should offer rescheduling)
Group Discounts
If you have friends graduating from SUNY Potsdam, Clarkson, St. Lawrence, or SUNY Canton at the same time, ask about group rates. Some photographers offer discounts when multiple students book together, even if you want individual sessions on different days.
BOOKING YOUR SESSION
When to Book
Fall session: Book by late August Spring session: Book by February Winter session: Book by November Summer session: More flexible, but book 3-4 weeks out
How to Book
Research local Potsdam and Canton photographers who work with college students regularly. Check their portfolios for senior portrait work. Read reviews from other SUNY Potsdam, Clarkson, St. Lawrence, and SUNY Canton students.
Contact 2-3 photographers, compare packages and pricing, then book the one whose style matches what you want. Put down any required deposit immediately—peak season dates fill fast.
WHAT TO BRING TO YOUR SESSION
The Essentials List
Cap and gown with any honor cords or stoles 2-3 complete outfits including shoes and accessories Water and snacks (sessions are longer than you think) Hairbrush or comb for touch-ups Any props you want to include (keep it minimal) Phone to check hair/outfit between setups Backup outfit in case something doesn't work
For Athletes
Bring your jersey or uniform if you want athletic shots. Coordinate with your photographer ahead of time—some sports gear photographs better than others. A clean, fitted uniform works better than something worn and baggy.
SUNY Potsdam, SUNY Canton, Clarkson, and St. Lawrence athletes should check if team gear usage requires athletic department permission for commercial photography. Most schools don't care for individual senior portraits, but it's worth confirming.
For Performing Arts Students
SUNY Potsdam Crane School students often want to incorporate instruments or performance elements. Bring your instrument if it's portable (guitar, violin, flute work; piano doesn't). Talk to your photographer beforehand about how to incorporate it naturally without looking forced.
St. Lawrence theatre students can bring minimal costume pieces or props, but avoid going full costume—it looks like a production shot, not a senior portrait.
DAY OF YOUR SESSION
Arrive on Time (Actually Early)
Potsdam and Canton are small, but you'll still hit slow traffic on Route 11 or get stuck behind a logging truck. Leave 10 minutes earlier than you think you need.
Arrive 5 minutes early to scout the location, use the bathroom, and settle any nerves. Rushing creates stress that shows in photos.
During the Session
Trust your photographer. They've shot at your campus dozens of times and know what works. If they suggest a different spot or angle, there's a reason.
Relax your face between shots. Students tend to hold tension in their jaw and shoulders. Take deep breaths, shake out your hands, and reset between setups.
Don't check every photo. You hired a professional—let them do their job. Constantly reviewing shots breaks momentum and makes you self-conscious.
Follow direction but also be yourself. The best senior portraits happen when students stop trying to pose perfectly and just interact naturally with the environment.
AFTER YOUR SESSION
Turnaround Time
Most Potsdam and Canton photographers deliver edited photos within 2-3 weeks. Some offer sneak peeks within a few days. Ask about specific timeline when booking.
Choosing Your Finals
You'll likely get more photos than you expected. Don't try to use them all. Pick your top 5-10 favorites for primary use:
1 professional headshot for LinkedIn and applications 2-3 casual shots for family and personal use
1-2 cap and gown photos for announcements 1-2 location-specific shots that show your campus
Using Your Photos
Update LinkedIn immediately—your profile photo matters for job hunting and networking. Send your professional headshot to career services for their database. Order prints for family (parents want these more than you realize). Create graduation announcements if you're doing them (most students skip this now, but older family members appreciate them).
UNIVERSITY-SPECIFIC TIPS
SUNY Potsdam Students
Crane School students should incorporate the music building somehow—it's iconic and instantly recognizable. Education majors heading into teaching can do slightly more casual photos since the field values approachability. The connection to Ives Park gives you excellent off-campus options without traveling far.
Clarkson University Students
Engineering and STEM students need strong professional headshots for career fairs and job applications. Your field judges on competence and professionalism. The campus's modern buildings photograph well and signal innovation. Consider shots near the ERC or newer facilities that represent Clarkson's tech focus.
St. Lawrence University Students
Your campus is the most traditionally photogenic of the four universities. Richardson Hall and the quad are obvious choices but everyone uses them. Mix in some less common locations like the athletic facilities or spots near the residential village. Liberal arts graduates need professional headshots but can be slightly less formal than business or STEM fields.
SUNY Canton Students
Your campus is newer and less traditional, which actually works in your favor for modern, clean senior portraits. Technology and hands-on program students should consider incorporating program-specific elements subtly. The campus layout gives you variety without traveling between locations.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Senior portraits aren't about looking perfect or matching some idealized version of what graduation photos should be. They're about documenting who you are at this specific moment—finishing your degree at SUNY Potsdam, Clarkson, St. Lawrence, or SUNY Canton, ready to move into whatever comes next.
Book early, plan ahead, and work with a photographer who understands college students and North Country locations. The photos matter more than you think right now. You'll use them for job applications, social media, and eventually showing your own kids that yes, you did actually graduate despite those rough semesters.
Ready to Schedule Your Senior Portrait Session?
Serving students at SUNY Potsdam, Clarkson University, St. Lawrence University, and SUNY Canton. Affordable packages designed for college budgets with professional results for job hunting and beyond. Contact JD Meyers Productions to check availability and discuss the best locations for your session in Potsdam, Canton, and St. Lawrence County.