Purdue University Graduation Photos | West LaFayette Photographer

Purdue University on campus GRADUATION Pictures

It’s YOUR time to celebrate!

This is your moment to walk the campus dressed in your stole, cap, and gown—capturing your graduation at the place you’ve called home throughout your college journey. You will quickly feel how fast the days went from when you arrived on campus.

Looking back on my own college experience, I wish I had taken the time to capture it like this—which is exactly why I love offering these keepsake graduation sessions.

THE TIME IS NOW TO BOOK YOUR GRAD SESSION

Booking your graduation for mid-April to senior week is a great goal. Your gown will need to be returned shortly after graduation, so scheduling your session before graduation day ensures you’ll already have beautiful images to celebrate with.

Once your session is booked, the fun begins—choosing your locations!

Top on-campus location ideas (choose 2–3):

• Purdue Memorial Union Archways

• The Bell Tower

• The Engineering Fountain

• Outside Harry’s Chocolate Shop

• Hovde Hall Steps

• Your fraternity or sorority house

• Your major building

• Your freshman dorm or senior house

I’m here to help you create a graduation session that reflects your story in West Lafayette—before you turn the page and officially become an alum. Let’s make it unforgettable!

When to Book Your Senior Photos | Tinley Park High School Senior Photographer

Senior year is here—or just around the corner—and somehow it arrived faster than you imagined.

With graduation ahead, it’s time to start planning your senior pictures—one of the most fun ways to celebrate this season of life.

Senior pictures should feel fun, relaxed, and totally YOU—a celebration of everything you’ve accomplished and who you’re becoming. Choosing a photographer who helps create that kind of experience is so important. Planning your session is just as important as the session itself, so let’s walk through a few key things to consider!

• When should you book your senior session?

  • Senior sessions can be scheduled from the summer before senior year all the way through after graduation. However be mindful if you need the images for any applications, announcements, etc so you have your pictures when you need them.

• What time of year is best?

  • This really comes down to personal style and preference, but each season in the Midwest offers something unique:

    • Summer: Long, golden evenings, glowing skin tones, and lush greenery make summer sessions feel warm and vibrant. Late July and early August are especially popular before sports and school schedules fill up.

    • Fall: Think warm tones, cozy vibes, and colorful leaves. Fall is one of the busiest seasons, so if you love that look, booking early is key.

    • Winter: While it’s definitely colder, winter sessions can be stunning. Fresh snow creates a clean, bright, and almost magical backdrop.

    • Spring: Spring brings soft colors, blooming flowers, and a sense of new beginnings. The weather can be unpredictable, so flexibility is important—but the results are often worth it.

• Morning or Evening Session?

  • Most senior sessions take place in the early morning or evening to capture softer, more flattering light. Think about when you feel your best—whether that’s a calm morning start or a golden-hour evening glow.

• Are in a fall or spring activity?

  • Think of what availability you have and schedule early.

• Can I wait till I make my college decision to include it in my session?

  • Absolutely and that is the plus of a spring session you often have made a next step decision to include.

• Do all senior sessions have to be outside?

  • Not at all! Indoor sessions are a great option and allow for more consistency regardless of weather. Studio or Specific indoor locations can be scheduled year-round and offer a different, more controlled look.

No matter when or where you choose, your senior session should reflect you. This is such an exciting season of life, and your photos should capture it in a way that feels natural, fun, and unforgettable.

If you’re ready to start planning your session or have questions, I’d love to help you create an experience that feels effortless and uniquely yours.

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign On Campus Graduation Photography Session | Christina Bailitz Photography

UIUC on campus GRADUATION TIME IS HERE

That last semester of college hits differently and it went way faster than you thought if I had to guess.

The number of years you will be in Champaign or Urbana based on your address will be different for each graduate but one thing that is the same is the finish line on their path which is graduation from University of Illinois. Campus has been your home away from home and you have created so many memories. Along the way you matured, met many new friends, acquired skills in and out of the class to bring into the next chapter of career or graduate education.

So before you head to your next chapter capturing pictures on campus will be a gift you hold for many years to come!!

When is the best time to book on campus graduation session?

I start traveling to campus late April and continue through May (not graduation weekend). I tend to book sessions on weekdays when the iconic spots are less crowded to avoid long wait times. If would like to use GEIS Memorial Stadium, please make sure the look into the process to enter so we can schedule accordingly

What do I need for my graduation session?

Cap & Gown (ironed/steamed) - Tassels - Stole that has been ironed

Graduation wear - dress/suit/shoes (girls bring sandals for walking)

Champagne is optional and will not be provided but clothing may need to be spot treated for champagne (we do the champagne spray at the end)

Can I take pictures with a group?

The answer is absolutely YES! I allow extra time for a group session for individual and group images to be taken.

How many locations can we take pictures at?

This will vary with each campus based on size and location popularity. I say to think of 3 to start and we can tailor for your timing.

What is the turn around time for pictures?

The turnaround time for pictures is two weeks but you can RUSH them for a fee and have them in 72 hours.

Providence Catholic High School Senior Photos | Frankfort Photographer | Christina Bailitz Photography

One Session, Twice the fun!

Growing up with siblings is definitely fun, but having a twin to share those big milestones with is such a special experience! 

Twin senior sessions allow you to have the best of both worlds for your graduates - a mix of individual photos and photos together of them with their first friend. 

Twice the fun doesn’t end there - locations like Downtown Frankfort give your graduates a mix of that urban and nature based feel all within one location and scheduling a spring session allows your graduates to incorporate their next step in addition to the classic senior photos. 

Class of 2026 - make sure to reach out to schedule your senior session and check out the different senior session packages on my website!

First Birthday Studio Session | New Lenox | Christina Bailitz Photography Mermaid Fun and Turning One - First Birthday Milestone Session

Turning One!!!

A year full of so many firsts, memories, and growth. 

I always feel honored to capture your family’s memories - and I absolutely love getting to see your babies growing up from their newborn to first birthday sessions and beyond. 

And studio sessions at the New Lenox studio are the perfect way to celebrate first birthdays!

Not worrying about weather and having flexibility with scheduling allow you to focus on celebrating your little one. The clean, classic white studio provides a perfect backdrop for both simple images and a personalized theme that we can work together on! 

Marist High School Senior Photos | Beverly (Chicago) | Christina Bailitz Photography Capturing memories where you grew up -

Yes - Let’s customize your senior session!

As high school years come to a close and college move-in is around the corner, the place you call home becomes even more special.

With senior photos, I always tell people to not be afraid to personalize your senior session experience to capture the images that represent YOUR story. Capturing your senior session where you grew up is such a special experience and leaves you with keepsakes of home as you embark on your new chapter! 

Purdue University Graduation Photos | West Lafayette | Christina Bailitz Photography

that week you transition from a student to an alumni - boiler up!

College truly years tend to go by in a blink as these young adult mature into amazing people ready to start a career. It really is surreal when you stop and think of how much they have grown from freshman year to cap & gown.

At West Lafayette - Senior week is that week they get to stay on campus and enjoy the days without finals and enjoy Purdue with their peers. The friends that they met and soon will have many miles between with no see you back in August. These years on campus are such a special part of their journey and the WHY to do on campus graduation pictures.

When you book an on campus graduation session you be capturing pictures at a place that was home to them for a short period of time. For 2025 Grads - I will be on campus at the end of April and one day during senior week!!

I often get asked WHEN should I book an on campus grad session?

Graduation slots are released by March 1st for the spring season

Can I take pictures with a group?

The answer is absolutely YES! There are two group packages and in each package individual and group image will be taken.

What is the turn around time for pictures?

The turnaround time for pictures is two weeks but you can RUSH them for a fee and have them in 72 hours.

In Home Lifestyle Newborn & Family Photography | Chicago Newborn Photographer

Capturing your memories in your home

When I get invited to a home to capture a lifestyle newborn session in home - I love using the rooms of your home that are special to you. Including the family members not only the newborn in most of the images. The focus for me is the connection in the family in the place you make your memories and less posed moments. I love using your favorite blankets, where you snuggle up with your baby, including your pets and learning about your family.

The newborn days really go by fast, so I love capturing little moments in the crib as soon that mattress will be way down and they will be standing it.

I love getting to capture family snuggles, the littleness of baby fitting in your arms or on legs, the sweet little fingers and toes and so much more.

As my children are grown almost all 18 now, I tell all my clients my favorite part of the newborn session is getting pictures with the family. The newborn days go by lightning fast and we take so many pictures of the sweet baby but don’t jump in enough or get to capture the sweet moments together. So I love to deliver these type of images because everyone will tell you and it is so cliche but it really does go by fast.

Newborn sessions with Christina Bailitz Photography can be at your home or at the studio. These sessions require a little time and investments but I promise you - they will be treasures!!

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign Graduation Photos | Christina Bailitz Photography

HOW FAST DOES 4 YEARS OF college GO BY?

Ask a senior who just completed 120 hours of college classes…

The number of years of college can be different for each graduate but one thing that is the same for them all is the finish line on their path which is their graduation.

Graduation is a special time to celebrate when you are on campus and when you have graduation pictures already done on graduation day you can just celebrate.

When you book an on campus graduation session you be capturing pictures at a place that was home to them for a short period of time - where they grew up a little more, met many new friends, created many memories in class and out class, and acquired skills and personal growth to bring into the next chapter of career or more education.

I often get asked WHEN should I book an on campus grad session?

By mid-February I will release dates I will be on campus in Champaign and available for UIUC graduates. However there will be certain dates that Memorial Stadium is open historically so if these dates do not align we can discuss adding additional time if enough interest.

Can I take pictures with a group?

The answer is absolutely YES! There are two group packages and in each package individual and group image will be taken.

What is the turn around time for pictures?

The turnaround time for pictures is two weeks but you can RUSH them for a fee and have them in 72 hours.