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    • Creating a Fishwheel in Nikolai, Alaska for the National Park Service
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    • Bulilding Bridges Gala in Detroit for the Pope Francis Center
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Charlotte Smith

photographer based in ann arbor
  • home
  • photo essays
    • Creating a Fishwheel in Nikolai, Alaska for the National Park Service
    • Northern Summers in Michigan
    • Listening, Together in Ann Arbor for A2SO
    • Bulilding Bridges Gala in Detroit for the Pope Francis Center
    • Recording New Breed in Ann Arbor for Ghostly International & Ford Motor Co.
  • recent work
  • about
  • contact
  • 2026
    • Feb 5, 2026 Photographing the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra: January MainStage at the Michigan Theater Feb 5, 2026
    • Jan 31, 2026 University of Michigan Museum of Art - Art at Home - Match Day! Jan 31, 2026
    • Jan 19, 2026 Studio Portraits in Ann Arbor Jan 19, 2026
  • 2025
    • Dec 31, 2025 Sounds of the Season: Photographing Measure for Measure’s Holiday Concert and 2025 Reflections Dec 31, 2025
    • Dec 17, 2025 Leadership, Legacy, and a Homecoming at Eastern Michigan University Dec 17, 2025
    • Dec 4, 2025 An Evening with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra & Clara-Jumi Kang Dec 4, 2025
    • Nov 21, 2025 Feeling Good at UMMA! Feel Good Friday - Halloween Edition! Nov 21, 2025
    • Nov 6, 2025 Zoe’s Senior Portraits with Her Cat Hazel | Ann Arbor Graduation Photography Nov 6, 2025
    • Oct 30, 2025 Color and Sound: Photographing the Ann Arbor Symphony with Jacob Collier & Chris Thile Oct 30, 2025
    • Oct 14, 2025 Documenting the 2025 Season Opener with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra! Oct 14, 2025
    • Sep 30, 2025 Neha and Jordan's Pastafarian wedding in Ann Arbor Sep 30, 2025
    • Sep 23, 2025 Celebrating Community and Creativity at JJ’s Homecoming Open Mic in Detroit Sep 23, 2025
    • Sep 19, 2025 A love letter to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan Sep 19, 2025
    • Sep 11, 2025 Gran Fiesta 2025: Honoring Scholars, Celebrating Futures Sep 11, 2025
    • Aug 15, 2025 OddAnimalSpecimens, Endless Curiosity, and possibly one of my Coolest Shoots Ever! Aug 15, 2025
    • Jul 24, 2025 Inside the Work: University Voices Driving Change Jul 24, 2025
    • Jul 9, 2025 Photography celebrating 100 Years of the Benzonia Library & Mills Community House! Jul 9, 2025
    • Jun 26, 2025 A Surprise Engagement at Nichols Arboretum Jun 26, 2025
    • Jun 11, 2025 Photographing with Heart at the Building Bridges Gala : My Approach to Nonprofit Events Jun 11, 2025
    • May 28, 2025 Behind the Lens at the A2SO Season Finale! May 28, 2025
    • May 2, 2025 Celebrating Emma's Graduation with a Special Portrait Session May 2, 2025
    • Apr 22, 2025 Capturing the Magic - Capturing Magic: April MainStage with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra Apr 22, 2025
    • Apr 1, 2025 Turning the Page on March: A Look Back at My Favorite Photohoots Apr 1, 2025
    • Mar 29, 2025 Ducks and Armenian Coffee Mar 29, 2025
    • Mar 20, 2025 Portraits with Dr. Hanan and Life Update! Mar 20, 2025

Celebrating Emma's Graduation with a Special Portrait Session

May 02, 2025 in graduation photography, university portraits, graduation photos, fujifilm photographer, university of michigan

A person stands on a staircase while wearing a graduation sash at the University of Michigan.

With graduation season in full swing, I wanted to share one of my favorite portrait sessions with you! Meet Emma, a graduate from the University of Michigan. Emma reached out to me with a simple but perfect request—she wanted a few photos taken at the iconic Law Quad on campus. As you can imagine, this spot gets pretty busy around graduation time, with lots of families and grads taking turns for their photos.

A person stands and smiles in a door way in a suit and is illuminated by sunlight.
A woman stands wearing a gray suit and a heart necklace while standing near a doorway.

So, we started by capturing some shots at the more popular areas, but then decided to mix things up a bit. We wandered through some quieter corners of the campus, where we could enjoy a little more privacy and avoid the crowds. It gave us the chance to explore some less-traveled spots that really let Emma shine.

A woman stands, smiling, wearing a university of michigan graduation sash in front of trees and a brick building.
A person stands wearing a yellow university of michigan graduation sash in front of a brick building.
A person stands in front of a brick building, illuminated by sunlight on campus of the University of Michigan.

I absolutely love how these photos turned out—there’s something about the simplicity and sophistication of them that really captures the moment. Plus, the film-like, nostalgic vibe was brought to life thanks to my trusty Fujifilm. And let’s not forget her outfit—it was perfect for the occasion and fit her relaxed and fun personality.

A young woman smiles while standing in a lilac tree.

It was such an honor to help Emma commemorate this milestone in a way she could share with her friends, family, and followers. Graduation is such a big deal, and I’m so happy I could be a small part of preserving these memories for her.


Tags: ann arbor graduation photographer, university graduation photography, fujifilm photographer, film like portraits ann arbor
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email: charlottesmithphotoA2@gmail.com
phone: (734)881-3753