Five Tips to Prepare For Your Graduation Session
You only experience your undergraduate years once. These four-ish years are a time of immense growth, and your graduation is a big milestone that deserves to be documented! Here are my top five tips for preparing for your college grad photos!
1. Pick Outfit(s) Early
There’s no bigger stress than figuring out what to wear for your photos. These are images that will hang on your walls, live in an album, and be posted all over social media, so you’ll want to put some time into choosing your best looks! Choosing your outfits early will relieve some stress of trying to figure it out the week of your session.
A lot of grads choose to wear a white dress for part of their session, and something that shows off more of their personality and style for the other part. I always love the look of flowy dresses on camera, but the most important thing to wear is something that you feel comfortable and confident in!
2. Choose 2-3 Locations On Campus
Most grads love to get photos at the most iconic spots around campus, but sometimes there are other meaningful areas that I don’t know about. I suggest choosing two to three top-priority locations. We will map out a plan together to make sure we get the best light at each spot!
3. Bring Friends
Friend sessions are my absolute favorite and they are always so much fun! Capturing your friendships is my specialty and the joy that emanates from these types of sessions is unlike any other, and you'll get plenty of both group and individual photos. Plus, the more friends you bring, the less your session will cost per person!
Even if you decide to do your session alone, bringing a friend or two is always a good idea. While I always do my best to help you bring out your most natural and genuine smile, your best friends know how to get you laughing better than anyone.
4. Bring Props
Props aren’t necessary, but they can add visual interest to your photos and help tell the story of your time in college. Besides your graduation regalia, some ideas include small meaningful momentos from your time in college, flowers, and champagne or confetti to celebrate!
5. Rest, Hydrate, and Eat Well
I strongly suggest getting plenty of rest, hydration, and nourishment before your session. In general, people who are rested and fed are happier, and that shows in your photos! You can definitely bring water and snacks with you, and I’ll be sure to check that you don’t have any food stuck in your teeth when you show off your beautiful smile!
I hope these tips help you plan and prepare for your fun, stress-free photo session!
