Pop the bottle!

The iconic champagne pop...Open the bottle, it sprays all over, and I shoot away capturing a ton of fun images of you celebrating- it's a no-brainer right? Well, not exactly. Champagne bottles don't erupt like a science-fair volcano when you open them, and it's not something we commonly do, so it can be a little awkward.


Here's my "Champagne 101" crash course to ensure you get that classic image you're envisioning.


  1. Buy the cheap stuff. No really, get that bottle of Andre that is $7.99, in fact-buy two. You're not drinking it, so it doesn't matter how it tastes, and it doesn't hurt to have a back up.
  2. Do NOT shake the bottle before opening. I know what you're thinking, "Shannon, I need to shake it up and it'll spray all over!" It will, but you'll also be caught off guard and your face will reflect that in your images (hello closed eyes and faces you didn't know you can make).
  3. Open the bottle slowly. Part of what makes the cheap stuff so great is the screw top! It's much easier to open, and we don't have to worry about a cork hitting someone or breaking a window.
  4. Bottle placement. Do your best to keep the bottle around waist level so it doesn't block your face, keep your shoulders relaxed, and remember to have fun!
  5. 3...2...1...SHAKE! I'll count down for you, and then go against all intuition and shake that bottle and spray it towards me. Yes, towards me.
Group champagne celebration spray photo in front of historic building with tulip garden.
Someone splashing champagne under gothic stone archway in celebration.
Two graduates in white outfits spraying champagne under an ornate stone archway.
Celebratory champagne spray photo session in front of stone university building.
Group celebration photo with matching outfits in front of historic stone building.
A graduate in white dress and teal sash poses by a classical building with columns.
A group in matching outfits spraying champagne in front of a classical building.
Friends posing with ram statue and champagne bottles outside university building.
A graduate poses with champagne under a Gothic stone archway in black and white.
A line of raised feet wearing turquoise heels against a stone building exterior with daffodils in the background.
Group celebrating with champagne sprays near blooming azaleas outside a stone academic building.
People in coordinated blue and white outfits celebrating with champagne spray.
A celebratory champagne spray moment under a stone archway at graduation.
Group in white dresses with teal sashes spraying champagne in front of a grand columned building.
Students celebrating graduation with champagne sprays in front of historic stone building with columns.
A person in casual clothes sprays champagne outdoors on a sunny day.
Person holding champagne bottles against brick wall background.
Graduates holding champagne bottles while wearing green stoles and black graduation gowns.