Military Celebrations

✈️ What to Expect at Your Fort Rucker Army Flight School Graduation & Family Day

Your aviator’s graduation is almost here; what an unforgettable milestone! This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment, and my goal is to make sure you can soak it all in without stress. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about Family Day and Graduation at Fort Rucker, so you can arrive feeling prepared, excited, and fully present.

💛 Family Day: Up Close With Your Aviator’s Aircraft

Family Day is the first celebration of graduation week, and it’s one of the most exciting! This is your chance to step onto the flight line, see your aviator’s aircraft up close, and celebrate just how far they’ve come.

Typical start times (these can vary slightly by class):

• Black Hawk (UH-60): 11:00 AM or 12:00 PM the day before graduation

• Chinook (CH-47): Around 2:00 PM the day before graduation

• Apache (AH-64): Late morning to early afternoon the day before graduation (sometimes the morning of)

What your session will look like:

• About 15 minutes of classic portraits with your aviator and family

• About 20 minutes of candid, documentary-style moments around the aircraft

• If extended family attends, we’ll start with full-group photos, then focus on your aviator, their spouse/partner, and kids

You’ll be free to explore the aircraft, ask your aviator questions, and simply enjoy the moment , while I capture the laughter, pride, and love surrounding them.

A quick note about weather: The flight line is asphalt and can get hot, especially during long warm season. Bring water, sunscreen, and sunglasses for comfort!

🎓 Graduation Day at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum

Graduation day is here, and it’s time for your aviator to receive their wings!

Arrival tips:

• The ceremony starts at 10:00 AM

• Plan to arrive 30–45 minutes early for parking and seats

• The main parking lot fills quickly; overflow parking is available across the road with a short walk

During the ceremony:

• Distinguished Honor Graduates are pinned first (solo)

• Honor graduates are pinned next in small groups, followed by the rest of the class in groups of five

• Space is tight at the front; I recommend only 2–4 people go up for the pinning. I’ll photograph everything so you can be fully present and phone-free.

Once the ceremony ends, we’ll bring your whole family up for additional portraits and even a few “mock” pinning photos so every special detail is captured.

📸 Family Portraits After the Ceremony

After the formalities, it’s time to relax and celebrate! The museum will be buzzing with excitement, and I’ll guide you to a few beautiful exhibit spots for family portraits.

This is where we’ll capture all the group photos we didn’t have time for during the ceremony , so you can remember not just the achievement, but the people who came to cheer your aviator on.

👗 What to Wear

Want to feel photo-ready on this special day?

Comfort first

• Coordinate, don’t match — Think of a cohesive color palette (earth tones, soft blues, or muted neutrals photograph beautifully).

• Add layers — A lightweight cardigan, denim jacket, or structured blazer can pull the look together and give options for variety in photos.

• Avoid loud patterns — Subtle prints or solids help keep the focus on faces and emotions.

💡 Tip: Sundresses, maxi skirts, or jeans with a cute top are great for moms. Khakis or dark jeans with a button-up work well for dads.

🎓 For Flight Graduation (Dressier + Classic)

• Step it up a bit — Graduation is more formal. Think semi-dressy to dressy outfits.

• Timeless over trendy — Graduation photos are keepsakes, so opt for classic silhouettes and colors.

• Complement the uniform — Your aviator will be in dress uniform, so soft tones (navy, cream, blush, gray) will complement them beautifully.

• Comfortable shoes — You’ll be walking and standing, so choose shoes that look nice but won’t hurt after a few hours.

💡 Tip: Flowy midi or knee-length dresses photograph beautifully.

📩 Book Your Graduation or Airfield Session

Thank you for considering me to capture this incredible moment in your aviator’s journey. It's an honor to preserve these memories for you and your family.

I can’t wait to celebrate with you.

Through Her Lens Photography

— Giuliana 💛