Graduation...it's the day you have been waiting for, for 12 years! Your graduate has worked hard and it's time to celebrate! And of course, you want to take photos of the big day! So how can you make sure you get the best possible photos even though you may not be a professional photographer?
HERE ARE A FEW TIPS:
Find the light! Now you don't have to know the ins and outs of lighting to find good light. You just need to look for even light or open shade. The best light is natural light and can be found next to a window or outside. If you go outside, look for what is known as open shade, which is a spot just out of the direct sunlight. Look at your graduate's face when you place them in the spot and check to make sure the light on their face is even and they are not squinting.
Best dressed. Take photos before your senior puts on his or her cap and gown. Make sure to capture your senior, all dressed up without the cap and gown, so you get variety in your photos.
Get in the photo!! Be sure to take a photo with your senior! You helped get your son or daughter to this point and you should be celebrated too! Plus, moms and dads don't get in enough photos so make sure you capture you too!
Tell a story. Take lots of angles and lots of different shots to tell the story of this special day. Things such as close ups of the cap and tassel, your senior's hands holding their diploma, smiling at the camera shots and more! Capture candid shots throughout the entire day such as getting ready, to putting on the gown, to walking across the stage and more. If you want to put these in an album it will tell a story of the entire day.
Their time to shine. Take photos of your grad by his or herself! Be sure to get formal photos of the graduate!
Watch the background. Try to find a spot with less people! This one may be difficult as graduation ceremonies are crowded but try to find a spot with a blank background such as the building and not the crowd of people. If you can't find a secluded spot, zoom in! Make sure to get some tight shots that will cut out some of the people or distractions in the background.
Don’t forget their friends! Take photos of your grad with his or her friends! Make sure you get the friends who are celebrating this day as well!!
What about the ceremony? For pics during the ceremony, if you’re not sitting super close (which most won't be) don't bother using the flash! Your senior will be too far away. It might be better to leave those photos to the professional who is probably close to the stage. This is the perfect opportunity to grab a quick video or just be in the moment and be proud for your graduate.
One last tip! Don't forget to toss the hat! That always makes a great photo and captures the feeling of the day perfectly.
If you'd rather not take your graduate's photos, you can always hire a professional to do a quick mini session to get all of the perfect pics.
Interested in booking a cap + gown mini?
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