Many graduates, from high school to university levels, continue to celebrate their milestones with professional photoshoots. What has evolved are the styles and trends in these sessions. More creative, personalised, and unique shoots have become common, with graduates opting for themed, outdoor, or lifestyle shoots that capture their personalities or aspirations. Social media also plays a significant role in promoting and showcasing these images, making graduation photography both a traditional and modern way to commemorate academic achievements.

Popular Photography styles for Graduations

In 2024, graduation photography is blending traditional and modern styles to capture the essence of this important milestone which include:

  1. Candid & Lifestyle Shoots
  • Natural Poses: Graduates are opting for less posed and more candid moments, whether laughing, walking, or interacting with friends and family.
  • On-Campus Locations: Capturing graduates in iconic spots around their campuses, such as in front of university buildings, libraries, or favourite hangout spots.
  1. Personalised Themes
  • Career or Passion-Inspired Shoots: Graduates are personalising their photos with themes related to their future careers or personal interests (e.g., wearing a stethoscope for medical graduates, or bringing tools for engineering grads).
  • Hobbies or Interests: Incorporating props or settings related to sports, music, or art that tell a personal story.
  1. Creative Outdoor Settings
  • Nature-Based Photoshoots: Parks, beaches, and scenic outdoor locations are common, with graduates posing in lush greenery, sunsets, or on beaches.
  • Urban Settings: Some prefer street and cityscapes, or a  more industrial background for a more edgy, modern look.
  1. Dramatic Lighting & Effects
  • Golden Hour Shoots: Capturing soft, golden light during sunrise or sunset for a warm, dreamy effect. This has always been the “classic diffused look”.
  • Bold Studio Lighting: Studio sessions with dramatic lighting setups, playing with shadows and colours, to create a fashion-forward or editorial look.
  1. Cap & Gown with a Twist
  • Cap & Gown with Casual or Formal Attire: Graduates mix formal academic attire with casual or glamorous outfits, like pairing sneakers with their gowns or going full glam for half the shoot and traditional for the other half.
  • Tassel Toss & Confetti: These remain popular, but many add coloured smoke bombs or glitter for more visual impact.
  1. Documentary-Style Photography
  • Behind-the-Scenes Moments: Capturing the preparation, emotional moments with family, or even the process of putting on the gown, creating a storytelling approach.
  • Graduation Day Coverage: Some graduates want their entire graduation day documented, from getting ready in the morning to receiving the diploma.
  1. Social Media Focus
  • Vertical Shots for Reels & Stories: Photographers are increasingly shooting with social media platforms in mind, delivering vertical formats perfect for Instagram Stories, TikTok, and Reels.
  • Interactive Elements: Graduates may shoot content for Instagram or TikTok transitions, such as revealing their outfit after spinning or jumping.

These trends blend creativity and personalisation, allowing graduates to showcase their individuality while marking the achievement.

Services a Graduation Photographer needs to offer to be successful in 2024

 To be successful as a graduation photographer in 2024, offering a range of services that meet the evolving needs of graduates is essential. A list of services that would appeal to modern graduate include:

  1. Pre-Shoot Consultation & Styling Advice
  • Personalised Consultation: Offer one-on-one meetings (virtual or in-person) to discuss the graduate’s vision, preferences, and goals for the shoot.
  • Wardrobe & Styling Advice: Assist graduates with outfit suggestions that fit the theme, whether formal, casual, or thematic. Offer tips on props, accessories (caps, stoles, medals), and how to blend academic attire with other styles. Even make use of a mood board.
  1. Customisable Photo Packages
  • Multiple Package Tiers: Provide different price points to cater to various budgets, including basic, mid-range, and premium options.
  • Add-Ons: Allow clients to add on extras like additional outfit changes, extra hours of shooting, location changes, or specific themed sets.
  • Group and Solo Shoots: Offer packages for individual graduates, as well as group or friends’ sessions. Group sessions are popular for creating memories with classmates or family.
  1. On-Location and Studio Sessions
  • Studio Sessions: Offer in-studio shoots for those wanting a controlled environment with professional lighting.
  • On-Location Shoots: Provide the option for shoots at meaningful locations to the graduate in the form of destination shoots. Catering to clients wanting special, unique locations or backgrounds that may require travel is important.
  1. Event Photography (Graduation Day Coverage)
  • Full Event Coverage: Include a package to document the graduation day itself, from the preparations (putting on the cap and gown) to the ceremony and celebrations with family and friends.
  • Candid & Documentary Style: Capture spontaneous moments, such as receiving the diploma, hugging family members, or walking across the stage.
  1. Creative & Themed Photography
  • Personalised Themes: Offer themed photo sessions based on the graduate’s future career, hobbies, or interests (e.g. medical students in lab coats, accountants with calculators…)
  • Props & Effects: Often assist to create the mood
  1. Editing & Retouching
  1. Social Media & Digital Content
  • Social Media-Ready Photos: Photos should be optimized for social platforms (Instagram, TikTok) in vertical and square formats.
  • Create packages that include short videos or reels as an additional package option.
  • Digital Downloads: Offer a simple download and secure option, for easy sharing and printing.
  1. Custom Video Services
  • Video Highlights Reel: Offer short, edited videos of the graduation day highlights that graduates can share on social media.
  1. Fast Turnaround & Flexible Delivery

 

By offering these services, you’ll appeal to a wide range of clients, from those seeking traditional portraits to more creative and modern options, ensuring your success in 2024’s competitive photography market.