5 Tips to Help You Prepare for Your Graduation Portrait Session
Graduating from college is a monumental achievement, and capturing this significant milestone through professional photography ensures that the memories last a lifetime. At Tanner Sebastian Photography, we specialize in creating natural, elegant, and vibrant graduation portraits that reflect each client's unique journey. To help you make the most of your upcoming portrait session, here are five essential tips to help you prepare for your shoot:
1. Plan out Your Perfect Location:
The location of your photo shoot sets the tone and backdrop for your graduation portraits and may be the most important factor for your shoot. I find it always better to choose a location that holds special significance to you, such as your alma mater's campus, a beautiful beach, or a historic park/landmark. Discussing your preferences with your photographer can help ensure that the chosen location aligns with your vision so they can better help tell your story through the photos. If you are having a hard time coming up with a location; your photographer in most cases will be more than happy to offer some recommendations. If you plan your shoot with me, I have plenty of recommendations for SoCal!
2. Plan Your Outfits in Advance:
Your outfit choices play an important role in defining the style and mood of your graduation portraits. Opt for attire that makes you feel confident and comfortable, and that also reflects your personal style. Consider incorporating accessories or props that add a unique touch to your photos. Bringing multiple outfits to the shoot allows for greater variety and flexibility in capturing different looks and complimenting different potential locations. Lastly, make sure to bring your cap, gown, stoles, and cords that you have for your school. This will allow you to get many different variations of outfit combinations!
Pro Tip: If you plan to wear heals, bring a pair of slides or flip-flops so you can change into comfortable shoes and walk to different locations comfortably. Some campuses require a lot of walking as I am sure you already know!
3. Communicate Your Vision:
Effective communication with your photographer is essential to ensure that your graduation portraits align with your vision. Take the time to discuss any specific ideas, poses, locations, or themes you have in mind for the shoot. Sharing inspirational(inspo) images or examples can also help convey your ideas and provide a starting point for your shoot. On my shoots, I prioritize understanding each client's unique vision and working together to create personalized and memorable portraits that help tell each of their stories.
4. Prepare for the Elements:
Most graduation portrait sessions are outdoors, so you may need to be mindful of the weather conditions and come prepared with any necessary accessories such as handkerchiefs for patting skin on a hot day or even a fan (The Inland Empire, as you know, gets REALLY hot). Whether it's a sun hat for shade, a scarf for added warmth, or an umbrella for unexpected rain, planning ahead can help you feel more relaxed and comfortable during the shoot. Most of the time, I will have a mini mirror on my shoots so that each client can look and feel their very best.
5. Relax and Enjoy the Experience:
While it's natural to feel excited and perhaps a bit nervous before a photo shoot, each photographer is dedicated to creating a comfortable and enjoyable experience for every client. Trust in the expertise and guidance of your photographer, embrace the moment, and allow yourself to relax and enjoy the experience. It’s not often that you graduate from college, make sure to soak it all in and be proud of the journey that you have endured! These moments come and go in a blink of an eye so enjoy and celebrate your achievements while you let the photographer do all of the work!
By following these five tips, you'll be well-prepared to make the most of your graduation portrait session. If you would like to schedule your graduation photoshoot with me, please click on the button below! I look forward to capturing your unique personality and celebrating your academic achievements through timeless and elegant photos.
