The Ultimate Guide to Taking Senior Portraits (Last Updated 2023.6.14)
This is a post I've been meaning to write since 2018. Not just for others, but for myself, as I return to revise as I learn. This is a living post I intend to keep active for years to come.
Since 2015, I have shot no fewer than 50 graduation sessions. Most at my alma mater UC Riverside, but ranging from UC San Diego to Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA. Through those sessions, I've picked up facets through the process that not only make the shooting process go by effectively but allow me to come away with portfolio pieces with every person I photograph.
Pepperdine University - Malibu, CA
San Jose State University - San Jose, CA
University of California, Riverside - Riverside, CA
University of California, Riverside - Riverside, CA
Preparation for the Shoot
If I've taken your grad photos, you'll recall I ask for a Pinterest link for inspiration. I learned this from documenting weddings. Many brides & grooms already have their whole wedding planned out on Pinterest, so why not take that same mentality to graduations? You’ve spent no less than four years in this tortuous environment, so I'm sure you know what and how you want your images taken!
Keep in Mind for Pinterest:
Show your personality! This is your chance to shine, so don't just pick up the "throwing cap" photos. When I shoot, I want to show who you are; Not lump you in with the thousands of graduates.
Day of the Shoot
Regardless of what ideas you want, make sure you prepare with these items. Some of these items are not negotiable, while others I consider optional may surprise you.
Essential Items Checklist
Sash
Iron it. Do it. If you can't iron it, dry clean it. Please. I detest Photoshop.
Cap & Tassle Etiquette
If you're taking your grad photos before graduation, the tassels stay on the right. If it's after your graduation, then it's on the left.
Important: If you're having trouble keeping your sash in a specific position, safety pins are the solution. They also come in handy if you wear headgear like a hijab or turban.
Shoes
Both for walking and the camera. This is especially true if you prefer heels over platform shoes. For dudes, make sure you have arch support and a good heel cup to ensure maximum comfort throughout the day.
Water
Whether or not you're in Southern California, stay hydrated.
In the past, I've taken grad photos while my friends were fasting. If you're in a situation where you cannot handle the day photos, there's NO SHAME in rescheduling. I'd prefer photographing you looking your best than looking like a shriveled-up skeleton. If you're available after dark/breaking your fast, then stick around. There's something special for you later on.
For the Photographer: Carry extra water bottles and date fruits. Aside from being the perfect snack to break a fast with, the sugar and fiber in dates will keep you going through the day.
What I consider Optional:
Gown
They're... fine, but like many American traditions, they’re a cheap imitation of a beautiful tradition from another country that goes back centuries. The contemporary graduation gown has heritage in the first university, The University of al-Qarawiyyin. Traditionally, the scholars would wear bishts on the campus. You know that “cloak” everyone got mad that Messi accepted during the Qatar World Cup 2022? That’s what graduation gowns are inspired by. Incidentally, the city the university is in is Fez, Morocco. That’s where the Fez/Tarboosh is from as well. History lesson aside, I don’t see them as necessary aside from the photo Mom & Dad will hang over the fireplace mantle.
Decorating your Cap
I love the cap photographs, but if you cannot find one or do not have time to custom decorate your cap, it's not an issue. There are plenty of templates online of cutouts that are extremely creative.
Confetti Poppers
They're awesome to photograph, but they generally make a mess for the next photographer later on. We share the campus with others, and the best we can do is ensure it's pretty for everyone. If you do decide to use a popper, make sure the confetti is paper or biodegradable plastic.
Undershirts (thank you Chris Kallah)
For the guys that sweat, undershirts are a great way to prevent you from ruining your nice shirt. However, the biggest mistake I see is when guys buy white undershirts to match the shirt they put over. While on the surface you’d think pairing a shirt with a matching color would lead to the best results, you actually need a light grey shirt to match the luminosity of your skin.
Tip: Shoot at Night
This is what I was alluding to earlier. At the risk of giving up all my secrets, I'll tell you that the best images I've taken were after the sun went down. It is recommended that you know how to use flash, as it gives such a unique look.
During the Shoot
Speaking to the photographers here. These are things I have learned to make the photoshoot go by effectively:
Music Speaker
Similar to the Pinterest board, I always bring a playlist with the person's favorite music. This shoot is all about them, and I want who I shoot with to be themselves during the shoot. I also have a playlist to get people to strut. Beyoncé, Pitbull, and Eminem may or may not be on the said playlist.
BRING. A. BROOM.
I hate Photoshop. Immensely. I've been known to carry a broom around because of confetti and leaves on campus. Some have suggested to bring a dust pan as well, but it’s not as essential as the broom.
Tape (Submitted by Daniel Nasr Photography)
It has a light side, a dark side, and holds the universe together. In all seriousness, tape (gaff, duck, or gorilla) is incredibly useful on set. If however you have a problem you think can’t be solved with tape, you aren’t using enough tape.
Have The Graduate Bring a Friend or Sibling (or if their friend is their sibling that works too ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)
This one is not only for safety but a matter of eyes and bouncing energy. You need your hype crew with you to keep the energy. I'm an Energizer bunny on Turkish/Cuban coffee, but not everyone is as much of a squirrel as I am.
Shoes You Can Walk In
I am known for wearing hiking boots on campus. They're tough, they're reliable, and I can walk for miles in them.
Expect the first half-hour to be total crap:
This is different. Instead of an item, this is a mentality. Unless you know the graduate personally, you're probably going to spend the first 15-30 minutes being formal and professional. Sure this is great, but that's not how you get the best images. You get the best images by being natural and open. In my experience, this happens about 30 minutes after the initial introduction. This is the main reason why I don't do shoots under 2hrs. If the first half-hour is dedicated to setting up, and you spend 30 minutes walking around campus, that gives you only an hour to shoot. That's not a lot of time in the grand scheme of things, especially if you're planning on shooting during golden hour.
RECOMMEND THEY DON'T PUT SHINE or HAVE THEM BRING POWDER
Unless you want their face to be as greasy as a McDonald's burger, don't put any shine. Even in more temperate climates, everyone is going to be sweating. Bring powder, and as a bonus bring something to blot with.
Champagne (or Sparkling Cider)
If they want to continue the time-honored tradition of making the campus smell like a fermentation vat during graduation, let them know they don't need to purchase $100 bottle of champagne. Have them purchase something they can afford, and something they don't care about spraying everywhere.
The Best Champagne Shots
First, pop the cork SLOWLY.
Hold your thumb over the mouth of the bottle like a garden hose, then slowly slide your thumb to the side for the champagne to spray out.
For the Photographer: You need to backlight the shot to ensure the optimal sparkle of the champagne droplets. Your camera WILL get soaked, but what good is weather-sealing on a camera if we cannot use it?
The Dreaded Graduation Deadlines
This is for everyone booking a graduation photographer. Everyone LOVES to book multiple sessions near and around the graduation itself. Ideally, you would book your photographer no later than two weeks before your graduation. This gives you ample time to not only book the shoot but for the photographer to process and develop your images after the shoot. Speaking from experience, I can tell you that this is the best time because the locations on campus are not as crowded as they would be the week before, or during graduation.
However, there is another option….
If you do not care to post images on social media by graduation, have the photo shoot after graduation.
Controversial, but hear me out. Nobody will be on campus during the Summer, so you'll have access to prime spots crowd-free. Finals will be over, so everyone will be (somewhat) rested. The campus will be less strict on parking too, so you can find a spot nearby as opposed to parking half a mile away. In the case of UC Riverside, TAFS won't be as strict if you park close... if you know, you know.
For my alma mater UC Riverside, undergraduate graduation ceremonies start June 3rd. Therefore, the latest you can book and realistically guarantee the images are completed by graduation is May 14th-24th. If that's of no concern to you, then you can book your session after the season and whenever you please. You’ll always have that slip of paper, and you can decide when you want to commemorate your achievements.
