A Citadel Senior Portrait Session
Locations, Timing, and What to Expect
Located in Charleston, South Carolina, The Citadel is one of the country's most recognized military colleges, known for its military tradition, disciplined structure, dress uniforms, parade grounds, and the strong sense of pride shared throughout the Corps of Cadets.
Senior portrait sessions are a longstanding tradition here. After years of discipline, challenge, sacrifice, and accomplishment, these sessions become far more than graduation portraits. The moment a cadet puts on their dress blues, there is an immediate sense of significance and presence that comes through in the images. The clean lines, polished brass, white gloves, shako, and attention to detail reflect the pride, discipline, tradition, and years of hard work behind the accomplishment itself.
These sessions carry just as much meaning for the parents, siblings, grandparents, and loved ones who supported the journey along the way. The portraits become a way to recognize not only the accomplishment itself but also the years of encouragement, sacrifice, and support behind it.
If you are planning a Citadel senior portrait session, here is a look at what one of those evenings looks like from start to finish.
Timing and Light Across Campus
Most sessions begin an hour to an hour and a half before sunset to take advantage of the best light as it changes across campus. One of the things I always pay attention to is how the evening light moves across different parts of campus. The way the sun sets behind the Padgett-Thomas Barracks along Summerall Field or filters through the large live oaks near the Ring Statue creates a completely different atmosphere as the session progresses.
Spring sessions are especially popular. The parade ground comes alive with fresh green grass, and the golden light catching the polished brass buttons on dress blues against the vibrant spring grass creates images that are hard to replicate any other time of year. Spring books fast so plan ahead.
Popular Citadel Senior Portrait Locations
What I enjoy most about photographing Citadel seniors is how much variety and meaning the campus itself brings into each session. Most cadets have specific places that feel connected to their experience there, and sessions often move through four or five different locations over the course of the evening.
Summerall Field One of the most iconic locations on campus with the Padgett-Thomas Barracks creating a classic Citadel backdrop. The open field, symmetry, and evening light across the parade grounds create a strong and timeless feel within the images.
Summerall Chapel Known for its large dark wood oak doors with gold hinges, arched entrance, and staircase leading up to the chapel. The combination of rich wood tones, stone details, symmetry, and architecture creates a more formal and classic feel within the gallery.
The Ring Statue A meaningful location for many cadets, especially with the grand live oaks surrounding the area. The filtered evening light beneath the trees creates a softer atmosphere while still holding strong symbolism tied to The Citadel experience.
The Main Gates One of the most recognizable entrances on campus, with black iron gates, gold sword details, and The Citadel overhead. Images of a cadet walking through or away from the gates quietly symbolize both accomplishment and the transition into what comes next.
The War Memorial The marble details, black iron gates, and clean architectural lines create a backdrop that feels both powerful and reflective. Especially meaningful for cadets planning to commission into military service.
The Clock Tower A recognizable campus landmark that adds architectural interest and a strong sense of place.
Capers Hall Courtyard and Fountain One of the newer academic buildings on campus with a courtyard fountain, clean architectural lines, and the iconic red and white checkered floors that add a distinctive visual element to the gallery.
The Barracks With permission, portraits inside the barracks add a meaningful and personal layer to the gallery. The symmetry, architectural details, and red and white checkered floors create some of the most visually distinctive images on campus.
The Bulldog Statue A recognizable campus landmark that many cadets enjoy incorporating into their session.
The Boat Launch and Dock Area One of the most popular ways to end a session, as the sun sets over the marsh. The calming marsh views, dock, waterfront setting, and softer evening light create a quieter and more reflective atmosphere to close out the evening.
Making Your Session Personal
Your session should reflect your experience at The Citadel, not a formula. Whether you have a specific vision, want to recreate a meaningful photo, incorporate a special tradition, or wear a second uniform for more variety in your gallery, bring it.
One of my favorite sessions was with a cadet who wanted to honor his great-grandfather's military service. His great-grandfather was not a Citadel graduate, but we created a side-by-side tribute that celebrated their shared commitment to service. It is those personal touches that make a gallery feel like more than portraits.
Bringing Family Into the Session
I strongly encourage family members to join for part of the session. Parents, siblings, girlfriends, boyfriends, grandparents, and fellow cadets all add to the gallery in different ways.
Over the years I have photographed siblings graduating from The Citadel together in uniform, which adds another layer of meaning and family history to the images. After years of support, sacrifice, and encouragement, those photographs often become some of the most meaningful ones in the gallery.
Some of my favorite moments happen in between the formal portraits. A parent adjusting a glove. Friends laughing while walking across campus. A quiet pause near the Ring Statue at sunset. Those smaller interactions help tell the fuller story of this milestone in a way that feels genuine and personal.
What to Expect
Before your session you will complete a short questionnaire that covers locations, timing, uniform options, and anything you want to incorporate. I review everything carefully and reach out only if I have questions, because I know how busy you are. I keep things relaxed and efficient. We capture a strong mix of formal and classic portraits alongside more natural candid moments throughout the session. There is always time to change into a second uniform if you want more variety in your gallery.
No two Citadel senior portrait sessions are exactly alike because no two cadets experience The Citadel the same way. Some sessions focus heavily on tradition and formal portraits, while others include more relaxed moments and personal connections throughout campus. Either way, my focus is always the same: images that reflect both the accomplishment and the person behind the uniform.
Ready to plan your session? Visit my Citadel Senior Portraits page for details and availability. Spring sessions book fast.
I'm Amy, a Charleston-based lifestyle and documentary photographer specializing in senior portraits, families, and personal branding. What draws me most to photography is the combination of people, place, light, and meaningful moments.
There is a strong sense of pride woven throughout Citadel senior sessions, from the dress uniforms and campus traditions to the quieter moments shared with family at the end of the evening. My approach is relaxed and thoughtful, with a balance of guided portraits and more natural moments as the session unfolds. Whether photographing along Summerall Field, near the Ring Statue, or ending the evening at the dock by the marsh, my goal is always to create images that feel personal, genuine, and connected to this important milestone.
