AHHH! First things first — CONGRATULATIONS! College is hard, but it’s also (in my opinion) some of the best four years of your life. You hit so many major milestones during college, and you finally feel like an adult (not sure if this is a good or bad thing, yet) after you graduate. I know your final semester of college is full of applying for jobs, planning a grad party, celebrating many “lasts”, midterms, and packing up to move out of your college town, so I wanted to make the preparation for your graduation session a little bit easier. I’ll give some tips and tricks for guys and gals on what to wear, what to bring, and just go over some general expectations!

HELP! What do I even wear? How many outfits should I bring? I don’t even know where to start.

I’ll give you the short, simple answer first — wear what you’re comfortable and confident in and reflects your personality. If that doesn’t give you the answer you’re looking for, I have some ideas and suggestions for you! First, bring as many outfits as you feel like you need. I typically recommend a fun, dressy outfit like a dress, jumpsuit, suit, or dress pants with a button-up shirt. Then, I recommend bringing a casual outfit which is usually jeans and some college apparel. Lastly, PLEASE bring your cap, gown, and any sashes or cords you have! I won’t make you wear it the whole time, and you won’t be in your gown the whole time, but it’s always good to have everything!

Some general tips:

• Try and wear colors that match the season.

• Stick to solid prints, if possible, but if you find a piece of clothing that has patterns that you love, rock it! Patterns can tend to distort the photo a bit, but in general, if the pattern is large enough, it shouldn’t be an issue.

• Pick something you feel confident in because your confidence will show in the photos!

What should I bring?

Bring any props you want, and if you’re booking your session with me, I will be providing you with a bottle of champagne to pop (and/or drink)!

Some other key things to bring:

• Hairspray

• Makeup for touchups, if necessary

• Outfit changes

• Cap, gown, sashes, and cords

I have no clue what to expect. What’s the game plan?

If you booked your session with me, you can expect to have a lot of fun, and hopefully, you’ll feel pretty relaxed and comfortable during your session! We’ll meet at a designated spot, take photos at a few different locations, and you’ll receive your full digital gallery back within 1-2 weeks. During the session, I will provide poses and direct you on what to do the entire time! As long as you come into your session excited and with an open mind, your photos will turn out beautiful.

I can’t wait to photograph all you lovely grads this Spring! As always, reach out if you have any questions, comments, or concerns at all!

Cheers,

Mary Kate