I recently had the pleasure of documenting the afternoon commencement ceremony at Eastern Michigan University—and it was one of the most rewarding events I’ve photographed this year!
I received a text the day before from a member of the EMU marketing team, asking if I was available, and with several commencements already under my belt at University of Michigan, I jumped at the opportunity! University commencements have grown to be one of my favorite events to photograph—they’re fast-paced, emotionally rich, and filled with meaningful moments. From proud families to celebratory embraces, there’s no shortage of powerful visual opportunities.
On May 2, more than 2,000 students graduated during two ceremonies held at the George Gervin GameAbove Center. For this event, I was invited to photograph from the stage—something I hadn’t experienced before. Being onstage provided a unique perspective and allowed me to capture close, unique angles as graduates crossed and celebrated this milestone moment.
One of the highlights of the day came at the end of the ceremony, when graduates made their way outside to reunite with family and friends near the football stadium gates. These reunions are always incredibly special—full of excitement, relief, and pride—and they consistently create some of the most genuine, emotion-filled images of the day.
Events like this are a reminder of why I love photographing large-scale celebrations and milestone moments.
A big thank you to Ariana and Darcy for the invitation to photograph the afternoon EMU commencement—it was truly a memorable experience!