Tips to Prepare for Graduation Portraits
Are you ready to dive into the preparations for your upcoming graduation portrait session? I'm eagerly anticipating our collaboration in the near future! In the interim, I've curated a set of valuable tips and suggestions to assist you in gearing up for your photography experience.
With a wealth of experience garnered from over 400 sessions throughout the years, I've honed my skills to ensure successful shoots. I'm excited to share this expertise with you to help streamline your preparation process!
1. Plan Your Outfits Ahead of Time!
Did you know that the most sought-after white dresses tend to fly off the shelves come springtime? I had this revelation through conversations with my clients, who were trying to find their gradation outfits close to graduation-time. As the popularity of graduation portraits has skyrocketed, so has the demand for spring outfits!
I wholeheartedly recommend planning out your wardrobe well in advance, preferably a few months ahead. This approach guarantees a wide selection and ample time to test your top picks, ensuring your absolute satisfaction with how they complement you. This will aid you in case of any shipping delays and prevent any last-minute stresses, which can be especially daunting at such a busy time!
2. What Props to Bring?
Bringing props can be interactive and a good way to commemorate your time at your college.
I highly recommend bringing two (2) Champagne bottles (a second in case the first one doesn’t go as planned, and this can happen if you’ve never done it before!), bubbles, balloons, biodegradable confetti, and any items pertaining to your major- such as a stethoscope for a Medical Major!
For a more indepth guide, check out my Graduation Props Guide!
3. Put together your fav images!
Have a specific look or more in mind? I recommend putting together a Pinterest board. Please feel free to look throughout my Instagram and website for your favorite poses and images you’d like to recreate for yourself, or recommend any special ideas and we will refer to it during our shoot.
4. Hire a professional hair and makeup artist!
Opting to hire a professional hair and makeup artist for your graduation photoshoot can significantly elevate the overall quality and impact of your portraits. boosting your confidence and resulting in more relaxed and visually appealing photos. You’re already investing so much time and energy into a graduation session, so I would highly recommend a professional for hair and makeup!
If you aren’t sure who to hire, please inquire for a list of recommendations. :)
5. Arrive early to your shoot
It’s best give plenty of time to take it easy and relax before your photo shoot. After all, you wouldn't want to rush through your shoot because there was unexpected traffic or if you couldn't find parking. It's always better early than miss out on part of the session that you've booked.
It's also recommended that when you check the GPS arrival time to your location, you also enter in the exact time and day that you anticipate on heading out, to avoid any delays.
Interested in reserving your spot?