Will it show my actual university's colours or crest?

No, the gown, mortarboard and building are generated rather than matched to a real school, so expect a generic academic look rather than your own institution's exact details.

Do I need to own a cap and gown to use this?

No, the gown and mortarboard are added regardless of what you are wearing in the photo you upload, so an ordinary clear photo of your face is enough.

Can it turn this into a family photo with people standing beside me?

No, this is built as a solo portrait, so it will not add anyone standing next to you in the frame.

Graduation

Gown and mortarboard, outside the old building.

8 photos

A graduation photo has to do one specific job: mark a day that will not come around again, in the gown and the setting that made it that day rather than any other. This look puts you in a black academic gown over smart clothes with a mortarboard, standing square to camera in front of a softly blurred university building in pale stone under even, overcast light, holding a rolled certificate.

This one is not trying to look unposed the way the others in this collection are. A graduation photo is allowed, even expected, to be a little formal: waist up, facing the camera straight on, a broad and genuine smile rather than a caught candid one. The occasion carries the formality, so the photo does not need to fight it.

It works as the photo you send to family who could not be there, or the one you put beside the actual day's pictures when the light or the crowd meant nobody got a clean shot of just you.

What makes a good photo to start from

Since the gown and mortarboard are added over whatever you are wearing, a plain, front lit photo of your face matters more here than your clothing or hairstyle on the day itself.

What this look will not do

It cannot match your actual university's crest, gown colour or hood trim, since those vary by school and nothing here is drawn from your specific one. The certificate is a prop in the scene rather than a real document, so it will not carry your name or degree.

Questions

Will it show my actual university's colours or crest?: No, the gown, mortarboard and building are generated rather than matched to a real school, so expect a generic academic look rather than your own institution's exact details.
Can it print my name or degree on the certificate?: No, the rolled certificate is a prop in the scene rather than a real document, so it will not carry any text specific to you.
Do I need to own a cap and gown to use this?: No, the gown and mortarboard are added regardless of what you are wearing in the photo you upload, so an ordinary clear photo of your face is enough.
Can it turn this into a family photo with people standing beside me?: No, this is built as a solo portrait, so it will not add anyone standing next to you in the frame.