Memorialize Graduation Day with Photography
The last four years (or so) probably flew by and commencement is around the corner. There is no doubt that graduation is a big deal and one you will definitely want to memorialize. It should be celebrated and remembered! Graduation photos are a big deal too; far bigger than the simple cap and gown pic I remember taking….well, a few years back. Students today often hire photographers to guide them around campus and get all sorts of pictures of them in their crimson and cream to commemorate the event.
Some students will go to the usual spots for their photos. Others may choose to have some of their senior pictures captured someplace that is specifically special to them. Some want a few of their photos to be with their friends or sorority sisters or brothers too.
Many students (particularly photography enthusiasts) will offer their services to take some amazing pictures for a reasonable price, days, and even weeks before graduation. Students may want to schedule a few weeks early as classic IU places, including the college they graduated from, the library, and the football field, tend to get very crowded. I have some amazing photos of my graduates that are beyond Instagram worthy that were taken by a photography major.
Encourage students to book their photo session very early in the morning when it isn’t so hot. And once you get there and want those family pics with your student adorned in cap and gown, be sure not to leave it for right before or after the ceremony, because that is what everyone else will do and you will literally wait in a long line to snap in all the key places that scream Hoosier; especially at the Sample Gates!
Here are a few recommended photographers. You can also do a search in the IU Class pages or parent pages on Facebook for more suggestions.
- Ashley Athey Photography – Beautiful photos in and around Bloomington
- Brownstones Photography
- Capturing Simplicity Photography
- Chadonorris Photography – A local husband and wife team with reasonable prices on senior picture packages.
- Icarus Photography
- Kip May Photography
- Lisa Walker Photography – A Bloomington favorite for weddings, special events, graduations, and more.
- Richardson Studio Ltd – Another husband and wife team in Bloomington with many years of experience.
- Trevor Mahlmann’s Indiana University Graduation Photography – A 21-year-old local that takes nice photos at responsible prices.
Keep in mind that IU also offers the opportunity to get photographs done in cap and gown before the ceremony, and you don’t need to sign up in advance, although you can sign up for graduation photos if you choose.
Prices range from $125 to $350 depending on the photographer, the number of people, and how many prints you want. I, personally, prefer to have the rights to the photos for a flat fee and then print as many as you want on your own. Negotiate that prior to booking. Senior pictures are a fabulous way to wrap up your last few weeks at IU.
For more information about all things leading up to graduation, including where to buy flowers and the ruling on tickets and cap decorating, check out this blog. Harvest Moon Flower Farm sends beautiful flowers from eco-friendly farms that use sustainable growing practices which means longer lasting flowers and no middlemen. You can buy individually or start a subscription, they are one of our favorites for flowers.
We can even help you choose a hotel for that weekend or a restaurant for your big celebration, come up with a few ideas for graduation gifts, and suggest a few places to get your hair done for those pics.
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