The ceremony gives you one usable frame — a distant handshake — and a lot of the back of other people’s heads. A 30–45 minute portrait session, before or after, is where the graduation photos you keep actually come from.
When to shoot
Two good windows. Before the ceremony, in the gown, on the quiet campus in the morning light — calm, no crowds. Or a separate day entirely, which removes all time pressure and lets you pick the best light. Right after the ceremony works too but everyone is hot, tired and the campus is packed.
Campus locations
- The main entrance sign or gate — the ‘I went here’ shot
- A signature building, library steps or an archway
- The quad or a tree-lined walk for golden-hour portraits
- Your department building, a favourite lecture hall, the lab or studio you lived in
- Somewhere personal — the coffee spot, the field, the dorm
Props and details
The diploma or a rolled stand-in, the decorated cap, cords and stoles, a letterman piece, flowers, a pet, a younger sibling who’s next. A small chalkboard or sign with the school and year is optional — keep it tasteful if you use one.
Pair it with the day itself
A portrait session plus candid ceremony photography, and for family who can’t travel, a live stream of the commencement so grandparents hear the name read. One team, one booking.
Richard Black Studio covers weddings, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, Sweet 15 & 16 celebrations and special events across Long Island and New York — photography, films and professional live streaming from one team. Tell us what you’re planning and we’ll send availability and a quote.