Prep for your Grad Session

Hey grads! After years of hard work, it's time to celebrate your achievement with an unforgettable graduation photoshoot. With many beautiful grad sessions under my belt in 2025, I have compiled as much helpful information as possible for you from my own experience. Preparing ahead will help you feel confident and look your best on camera! This guide covers everything to know from outfit prep to fun props. Let's get you ready to shine on your big day!

Get your Outfit and Gown Photo-Ready.

Your graduation outfit is a big part of the photos, so make sure it’s photo-ready. Start by steaming or ironing your outfit and gown the day before. Wrinkles show up more than you'd expect in high-resolution photos, so arrive in crisp, smooth attire. Hang up your graduation gown and remove any folds (those lines from the packaging) ahead of time. If you’ll wear a stole or sash, take it out of the package early and give it a pass with the steamer as well.

Plan your outfit: Solid colors usually work best. Many photographers recommend sticking to classic tones, a white or black dress always looks best with your cap and gown. Small pops of your school/college color also works great!

These recommendations won’t clash with your regalia. Avoid busy patterns that might distract from you.Think about shoes: If you’re wearing heels for the photos, pack a pair of comfy flats or sandals for walking between campus locations so your feet don’t hurt.

You’ll likely be strolling to iconic spots on campus, and you don’t want aching feet in every shot. Comfort is key to keeping that smile on your face!

Outfit tools: Little prep items can be lifesavers. Consider using a garment steamer (a portable one is handy – for example, a travel-sized clothes steamer) to quickly zap any wrinkles. A lint roller is another good tool to remove any fuzz or pet hair from your outfit last-minute. Having these on hand ensures your attire looks flawless.

Look Your Best: Tanning & Makeup

You’ll want a healthy glow and features that pop on camera. Here’s how to get photo-ready

Optional Faux Glow: If you’d like a bronzed look, plan any tanning a few days before. A spray tan or self-tanner can give you a sun-kissed glow, but timing is everything. Do it 2–3 days prior to your session so the color settles evenly.

You can cover any small spots or streaks with makeup. Remember, this step is totally optional; you’ll look great whether or not you choose to tan, it is simply recommended because I do brighten up my photos quite a bit to pop!

Referral: I highly recommend Shelby Aesthetics, She is local to DFW and does mobile airbrush spray tans. She will come to you! Camera-Ready Makeup: On camera, a bit of extra makeup helps define your features. Apply your makeup slightly heavier than usual, since natural, everyday makeup can appear lighter or washed out in photos. Don’t be afraid to go bolder with your look. False lashes, blush, lipstick — what may feel like too much in person will really make your photos pop.

Amp up your blush and contour just a touch. Add that extra coat of mascara or a pair of false eyelashes and a swipe of lip color for definition. Setting spray is your friend; a product like this can help your makeup last through an outdoor shoot. If you’re doing your own makeup, practice it a day or two before to fine-tune a look you love.

Pack a Touch-Up Kit

Photoshoot day is here – make sure to bring a small touch-up/emergency kit in your bag. This way, you can fix any hair or makeup issues on the fly and stay fresh throughout the session. A few essentials to include:

Hair fixes: A brush or comb and travel-size hairspray are must-haves to tame flyaways or add volume. Hairpins or bobby pins are great for securing your cap in place (you don’t want it flying off mid-shot!). If you have longer hair, tossing a few extra hair ties or clips in your kit is wise. Makeup essentials: Pack your go-to lip color or gloss for touch-ups, oil-blotting sheets or a translucent powder to reduce shine, and a small mirror. Tuck in concealer or cotton swabs to fix any smudges. On warm days, oil-absorbing blotting papers can be a skin-saver.

Other handy items: Tissues (for dabbing sweat or happy tears), a few safety pins (in case of any outfit or gown malfunctions), and even a stain remover pen for emergencies. Having these things on hand means you can quickly fix shine, smudges, or stray hairs and get right back to your close-up. You’ll be glad you packed it!

Bring Your Graduation Props

Personalize your shoot by bringing along meaningful graduation props. These items tell your story and give you something to do with your hands in photos:

Diploma cover: Even if you haven’t received the actual diploma yet, the cover or certificate holder makes a great prop. You can hold it, pose with it under your arm, or show it off to the camera – it instantly says “grad.”

Cap and gown: This one’s obvious, but make sure you have your cap (with the tassel!) and gown ready. You might do some shots in full regalia and some in just your outfit, so have them handy to switch up. Tip: use a few bobby pins inside the cap to secure it to your hair so it stays put.

Cords, stoles, and medals: If you’ve got honor cords, a stole/sash, or any special medals or awards, definitely incorporate them. Drape your cords and stole neatly so they’re visible – they add a pop of color and signify your achievements. These pieces can be worn in some photos and removed for others to give variety.

School Spirit items: Consider anything unique to your college experience – perhaps a pennant with your university name, a graduation year sign, or even wearing your class ring. The key is to make it personal so your photos reflect your college journey.

Celebrate with Champagne & Confetti

One of the most fun parts of grad shoots is capturing that “I did it!” celebration moment. I provide champagne and confetti for these shots – so get ready to party! 🥂 (If you have a specific brand/label you would like, then you will provide your own) Do not worry if you have never popped champagne before, I will walk you through the steps before we start snapping photos! The main focus is to make sure you don't look scared and smile! ;) Confetti is another fun touch. I stick to biodegradable confetti poppers or cannons because they’re eco-friendly and often allowed on campus. Tossing confetti in the air or towards the camera makes for playful, joyful shots bursting with color. When using confetti, I'll a countdown for you so you are able to toss on cue and we get the perfect shot.

Conclusion: Enjoy the Moment

Finally, take a deep breath and enjoy your graduation photoshoot. This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment – you’re closing a significant chapter and embarking on a new adventure. It’s normal to feel a mix of excitement and nerves, but with a little preparation, you can step in front of the camera feeling confident and proud.

On the day of, give yourself plenty of time to get ready so you’re not rushed. Play your favorite pump-up music while doing your hair and makeup. Maybe bring a friend along for support (and some behind-the-scenes laughs).

During the shoot, relax and have fun. Laugh at the silly moments (wind blowing your cap off, confetti in your hair – it happens!), and soak in the feeling of accomplishment. Your genuine happiness will be the highlight of every photo.

When you look back at these pictures, you’ll remember not just the day of the shoot, but the incredible journey of college that got you here. So celebrate yourself – you earned it! With your outfit pressed, your makeup on point, and diploma in hand, you’re ready for the spotlight. Smile big, strike a pose, pop that champagne, and let me capture the joy of your achievement.