Graduation sessions are one of my favorites to shoot. They do, however, require more preparation and function a bit differently from my other sessions—we tend to cover a lot of campus spots and work with more poses/props based on the client's vision. My goal is to make the photography aspect as seamless and stress-free as possible. I like to prepare my clients by sharing these tips. Regardless of whether you prep or not, we'll have an enjoyable experience!
Locations
Your grad session is personal to you. Certain campus spots hold more significance to some than others. The places we cover are entirely up to you! All my packages include unlimited locations within the allotted time, starting from one pre-determined meeting location.
Desired locations must be discussed with me ahead of time. Many locations require permits to photograph. It is important that I adhere to those policies, and I want to ensure sufficient time to complete that process.
If you need recommendations, feel free to inquire. I have hosted sessions at a multitude of colleges and am very familiar with spots niche to each campus:
Items & Props
Must-bring item
- Stole(s)
Suggested items & props
- Cord(s)
- Graduation cap with tassel
- Mascot plushie
- Flower bouquet
- Bubbles
Nice-to-have items to bring
- A bag to store your props and additional outfits
- A hairbrush or comb
- Comfortable footwear (flip flops, sandals, flats) if you plan to wear heels
- Lipstick/gloss/tint to reapply
Accessories
Stole
Take your stole out of its package well-before the day of the session or iron it to remove fold lines
Jewelry
Clients are more than welcome to wear necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings
Electronics
I recommend not wearing your Apple Watch/Fitbit (but that is up to you!)
Pre-Session
Allot sufficient time to get ready
Block off time on the day of the session for makeup, hair, outfits, and transportation
Arrive early
Rushing to your shoot is not ideal. Keep in mind there may be unexpected traffic or lack of parking. I recommend arriving 5-10 minutes early. You may use this extra time for touch-ups or to relax a bit before we start!