Okotoks Graduation Portrait Class of 2023
The best thing about graduation sessions is being able to do a one on one portrait sessions with kids that I have literally watched grow up. I’ve known this kiddo here since she was in preschool and since she performed with my daughter, I have had the pleasure of carpooling with her for a couple of years so I really enjoyed hearing all about her plans for the future.
My number one tip to graduates is to have their session on a day that isn’t the day they are graduating. This allows for us to take advantage of the best light of the day. It also allows us to go to multiple locations or a location that is maybe a bit out of the way from your graduation celebrations. And, if the weather is bad, it allows us to reschedule. Plus, you have the benefit of being able to wear your graduation outfit more than once! If you are concerned about getting images with your cap and gown, we can schedule the session for the same week as your graduation. Most schools require you to pick up your cap and gown a few days early. So, you have it in your possession for at least a couple of days before the actual ceremony.
This gorgeous young woman had one request—no basic ‘standing in a field’ type of portraits. She wanted something different from that. I was happy to fulfill that request!! I also have every client share their dress/outfit with me ahead of time so that I can take that into consideration when picking a location. At the end, we decided on two urban locations in Calgary. These are the images we created together.
Urban Rooftop Graduation Session | Calgary Photographer
I know it’s November so you might be thinking that this isn’t the right time of year to be talking about graduation sessions, but you would be wrong!! Graduation sessions are by far my most popular sale item on Black Friday. So, in the spirit of answering some of your most frequently asked questions about graduation sessions, I will be posting some of my favourite sessions from the last couple of years.
This is the lovely Emelia. We came up with the idea for a rooftop sunset session together after she showed me her dress. I thought it was the perfect choice for this type of session. This session is such a great example of why we don’t have the session on the same day as the graduation ceremony or party. When we make it a separate event, it allows for another day to celebrate your graduate. It also allows for flexibility as far as location, time of day, and outcomes. Every grad is different so I want to make sure that their photographs always reflect that. Allowing for flexibility as far as scheduling the graduation session means we aren’t at the mercy of the weather or the crazy schedule for the day. You can spend the actual graduation day focusing on celebrating as a family and worry about portraits on another day.
This year, my own daughter is graduating and we are planning at least three different portrait sessions(because I really am that kind of crazy). This will definitely be one of the locations as I love it so much. Where would your perfect graduation portrait session location be?
