Ten Great Ideas for End of School Year Photography

Spring is the season for graduations. Kindergarten students will be graduating to elementary school. High school students will be advancing to college. College students will be moving on to actual life and so on.

If you are an event photographer, graduation means one thing… lots of potential to make money. And the better a photographer you are, the more money you will stand to make.

Your clients will be pleased if you take photos that capture some unique poses. This will take a lot of creativity on your part. But who’s to say you can’t get some outside inspiration?

This article will give you some great ideas for end of school year photography, so you are sure to wow your clients.

With Family

You won’t want to miss out on a Shot of the grad with key family members and friends. Find out about the essential shots your client is looking for to guarantee they are pleased with your work.

The Tossing of the Hats

The tossing of the hats is a classic shot that’s usually photographed as a group event, but it can be solo. To capture it, you will need to choose a location that has a lot of wide-open space. You will also need to follow the rules of action photography by setting a high shutter speed and ensuring minimal camera shake.

The Prom

The prom is another key end of year event you are likely to be asked to capture. Get a shot of the happy couple including one of him pinning the corsage on. You may also be asked to get a few group shots with key family members and other prom attendees.

Meaningful Backgrounds

The background you use will add something to a graduation photo. There are a variety you can choose from including indoor and outdoor locations, but keep in mind that they can add meaning to your photo. For example, you can take a senior photo inside or outside of the school they went to. You can take a picture in front of a landmark building that is related to the student’s career. Or you can pick a park, beach, or home location that’s special to the grad.

With Celebratory Elements

Graduation is a time when many students celebrate and rejoice. You can bring out the festive vibe by taking a photo of the grad with sparklers, confetti, flowers and more.

A Casual Shot

After the graduation is over, the student will probably have a party with friends and family. Keep in mind that your subject does not need to be wearing their robe in every photo. In fact, it’s best to take a few of them in a nice dress. You can have them keep the hat on, or not.

Receiving the Diploma

It should go without saying that you’ll want to take a picture of the grad receiving the diploma. An onstage shot is necessary, and, if you can find the person who gave out the diplomas, a posed shot can be a wonderful addition.

Silhouette Shots

Silhouette shots have a dramatic vibe making them ideal for capturing this pivotal event in your subject’s life. Take a few group shots and solo shots in silhouette to enhance the collection.

Close-Ups

Don’t miss out on a chance to take a close-up shot of your grad. This will be a precious one family and friends are sure to treasure.

Walking Away

A walking away shot makes for a meaningful way to complete your shoot. Your grad can have their gown off and carry it over their shoulder to add more significance to the image.

Spring is here making it a great time to cash in on a grad shoot. The ideas in this article will help you get terrific images, so you are sure to be invited back. Which of these do you find most inspirational?

Read more of Conversation about Art or Shop Now at Schmidt Fine Art Gallery