Con-grad-ulations! (how to have a good graduate photoshoot)

Here's to you, graduate!

First of all, congratulations! Graduating is exciting. It's an award, a ceremony, a celebration of you achieving your goals and moving into the next phase.

One way that I personally think you should celebrate this achievement (and I'm not biased at all, ha) is through photos! I personally shoot Central Florida VPK graduate sessions as well as University of Central Florida (UCF) sessions. UCF has an amazing, beautiful campus, and for the younger grads, I enjoy taking photos at their schools.

How many times will you get to wear your cap and gown and walk through your campus (or daycare) and remember how hard you worked to get to this point? Photos will hold that memory in a digital a print form for you. Go get them done.

Schedule ahead of time, too. For December grads, the holidays book up for photographers ahead of time, so be proactive and start reaching out towards the beginning of the semester. May grads typically have a lot of competition because the school-aged graduates are out in the market as well as a higher volume of collegiate grads. Be proactive! Book ahead of time, especially if you love your photographer or have someone in mind and if you want these photos for invitations, etc.

Some tips:

• Make sure you have a few places in mind that are meaningful to you and that you consult with your photographer before your shoot.

• If you're school-aged, find out if you get a cap and gown. Amazon has great alternatives if you do not and some photographers have some caps and gowns.

• If you want to and are allowed, don't forget to decorate your mortarboard before your photo session!

• Ask if your photographer allows for any family members or significant others in the pictures before your shoot. Celebrating is a team sport sometimes, but your photographer needs to be prepared!

Finally, enjoy your photoshoot! You have worked so hard to get to this point, having a way to memorialize your hard work and accomplishments is well-deserved and important.

Congratulations!