Congrats graduate!
Graduation photos are some of the most important photos you will ever capture in your life.
(Parents- make sure you make your kids get them done, they will thank you later!)
Here are some tips for those Pre-school, Kindergarten, High School & College graduates to help prepare for those graduation photos.
When should I schedule my/my child's graduation photos?
There are honestly so many different answers to this question.
If you schedule for May, then the graduate should have their cap & gown. Also, you would most likely have your photos back before their graduation, (at the very least you would have a few photos from your sneak peek) so you could use the photos for graduation announcements/purposes.
If you schedule for the summer, post-graduation, then you will have the diploma to showcase in some photos.
For high school seniors, it is very common to book a senior session in the fall. The months of October-December have some of the best scenery for photos, such beautiful colors! Typically, the senior sessions done in the first half of the school year are used for graduation announcements, and to document the beginning of their final school year. Then at the end of the school year is when they get photos done in cap & gown.
*Try to book at least 2 months in advance. The earlier the book, the better the chance the photographer has availability.
What should I bring to the graduation photo session?
Here are some ideas for you!
Cap & Gown
If you have received your cap and gown before your scheduled photo session, DEFINITELY bring them with you. Don't forget to grab the tassel & sash as well!
+Extra fun tip: Decorate the top of your graduation cap!
*If you are getting photos of your child's pre-school or kindergarten graduate and did not get a cap & gown, you can purchase one on Amazon.
(If you get photos done with me, I have a blue child's size graduation cap & gown they are welcome to use)
Extracurricular activity items
Showcase what you were a part of in school!
Were you on a sport's team? Were you a part of a club? What was your favorite elective?
Here are some examples of items you could bring:
-Football; basketball; baseball; helmet; baseball bat + mitt; pom poms; etc.
-Musical instrument; camera; dance uniform; school newspaper; awards; etc.
Personal interests' items
If you were not a part of a sports team or club, or just want additional ideas, choose something that means a lot to YOU.
Do you love listening to music? Bring records or headphones.
Do you love to read? Bring some of your favorite books.
Do you love doing makeup? Bring makeup brushes and palettes.
Do you love to play videogames? Bring a video game controller and headset.
Signs
*High school or College banner
*Letterboard with custom wording
(Get creative with your sign. It can say "Finally Done!" "Graduating class of xxxx" Whatever you want!)
A change of clothes
Arrive in the outfit you want to wear in your photos.
You will be taking photos in your arrival outfit & in your cap and gown, (which just goes on over your outfit).
Bring an additional outfit just in case you have time for an outfit change.
The outfits are 100% up to you of course, but I would recommend wearing a casual dressy and/or an outfit that displays the real you.
Let me explain.....
Outfit #1
This is the outfit you will be arriving in and that will be the main outfit worn in your photos. This is most commonly the dressy/casual outfit.
Examples: dresses; nice shirt (no words/logos on it) with pants/shorts/skirts.
Outfit #2
This one will be your cap & gown. You will just throw them on over whatever outfit you are wearing.
Outfit #3
This one is the one that should represent YOU. Something that you are normally seen in. Something you are comfortable in. Something you actually enjoy wearing.
Examples: Sports uniform; Favorite team jersey; Band tee with ripped jeans; etc.
More things to think about...
- Location of photo session
- Do you want to hire a photographer to take photos directly after the graduation ceremony to get photos of guests in attendance with the graduate?
- Do you want to hire a photographer to photograph the graduation party?
Have any additional questions?
Contact me (or whatever photographer you decide to hire) for any help you need!
