I was going to try and write a long article about graduation photography. Instead, I decided to make a quick bullet list to help the parents out there to capture better graduation photos of their kids. If you have any questions, feel free to comment or send an email.
Tips For Better Graduation Photos
- Be prepared
- Have your batteries charged, a flash for after the ceremony, a long lens and a standard/wide lens and extra memory cards
- Distance
- If you can get close to the stage, do it.
- If you can’t get close to the stage, use a telephoto (zoom) lens
- Bump up the ISO
- Usually during a graduation you are far away and/or the location is dark.
- Bump the ISO past 1000 and take advantage of the camera sensor in order to get a clear photograph.
- Don’t always pose. Sometimes the best graduation photographs are the ones where the graduate is:
- Talking
- Hugging
- Crying
- Use light
- The sun is your friend as a main light or backlight
- Use the flash (which you packed) for a fill light
As a side note, you don’t need a DSLR to take nice graduation photos. If you’re a long time reader then you will my review of the Canon SX200 IS. If you’re a new reader, I highly recommend checking it out to see how a small pocket camera can be very useful at a graduation.
Have your own tip for graduation photography? Comment below to share.
Thanks for reading and happy shooting,
Scott
About Scott Wyden Kivowitz
If the graduate is a family member, don’t forget to get yourself in the photos! This is one of the few times I’d recommend “P” (Professional) mode on the dial, even with on-camera flash acting as a fill to lessen the raccoon eyes, but don’t bounce the flash to the sky as I’ve seen on numerous occasions.
And for your own comfort the day after, if the ceremony is outdoors, even if you don’t see the sun, apply sunscreen well before you set out. It is all too easy to forget, and you’ll regret it later.
Great advice Joe!
I’m no pro, but I think the P mode is program mode. You’re better off shooting in portrait mode or Av mode. Just my 2 cents.
It does – Joe was just being silly when he called it P for Professional. Portrait mode would be ok after the ceremony but not when you’re sitting far away. Good tip though!