Rest + Relax. Make sure to get plenty of rest on the days leading up to your shoot so you feel refreshed for your photos!
Prep the night before. Lay out your outfit, cap/gown, and any props so you're ready to go. Set aside enough time to grab a snack, do your hair and makeup, and take some selfies.
Practice posing. Take a look in the mirror and find some angles that complement your features the best. If you have specific poses in mind, feel free to let me know on the day of our shoot.
Get inspired. Check out my Instagram story highlights for grad photo inspo. You may also want to create a mood board of your favorite photos. Click HERE for a Pinterest board with some ideas (solo, group, film, etc.) that we can recreate.
Arrive early. Rushing to your shoot due to unexpected traffic or lack of parking is never ideal. Get there 5-10 minutes early to avoid this. Plus, you'll have some time to make small touch-ups or put your heels on before your shoot starts.
THINGS TO BRING
Water
Prop ideas: cap, tassel, gown, sash, cords, champagne, flower bouquet, bubbles, confetti, glitter, sunglasses, paddles/plaques, balloons, framed diploma, grad school merch, calligraphy board with a special message.
Towel/napkins to clean up if you do a champagne spray.
For ladies — if you wear uncomfortable heels, please bring a change of shoes that are easy to slip on/off like flip flops. Bring makeup, bobby pins, hand mirror, or hairbrush if you anticipate touching up in between shots.
Double-sided tape for keeping the sash in place on windy days.
Regular tape to hide the front string of the masters hood (or cut it beforehand).
Tote bag to carry everything.
CLOTHES
Simple, lighter colored outfits contrast well with your sash and gown. Sparkles, bold colors, and cultural clothing are recommended as a second outfit. For a more casual look, pair a college t-shirt/sweatshirt with jeans.
Iron and steam. Get rid of the wrinkles in your dress or suit, as well as the fold lines on your stole.
Accessories can be a great complement to your outfit. However, take off your Apple Watch or any hair ties on your wrist before the shoot.
Shoes: Heels (white/nude) and black oxfords are popular options.
OTHER TIPS
Watch a Youtube video tutorial on how to pop a bottle of champagne. Bring an extra bottle if you want to do a trial run first! If possible, peel off the outer foil wrapping beforehand to save time.
Most popular champagne choices: Andre, Cooks, Korbel, Veuve Clicquot
You will need to purchase your own sash from the bookstore if you plan on attending commencement. Buy your sash early or borrow a friend's for the photoshoot. If you get it personalized, keep in mind that it can take up to several weeks to return back to you.
Check the weather before choosing a date.
Smile and have fun with it!
UCLA GRADS
PARKING closest to Royce Hall:
Lot 4 | $5 for 1 hour, $15 all day
Lot 5 | $7 for 1 hour, $27 all day
My default meeting spot is the fountain in front of Royce. If you prefer a different starting point, let me know!
During peak grad season (May + June), I highly recommend bringing a friend to help hold a spot in line at popular locations such as Royce Hall, Powell Library, Bruin Bear, and the pink flower bushes. Waiting for other graduates to finish taking their photos can take up to several minutes at each location, especially when it gets crowded during sunset sessions.
For photos sitting on Bruin Bear, I recommend bringing a foldable chair or stepladder. Climbing onto the statue can be very slippery, so people often ask a friend or two to help them up. Be careful and don't hurt yourself!
The purple jacaranda trees at the sculpture garden are in full bloom around mid-May. If you want photos here, it takes ~7 minutes to walk from Royce Hall to the garden, so keep this in mind when choosing a session length.
UCLA turns off Shapiro Fountain a few weeks before graduation week. If you want champagne spray photos standing in the fountain water, choose a date before early May, just in case.
UCLA will occasionally host events at Royce Hall or set up large tent booths on the quad. When this happens, security personnel may not allow us to take photos in front of the building, and/or there will be crowds of people and tents in the background. Please ensure you are choosing a date and time that is ideal for your desired locations across campus. A list of events can be found at: https://roycehall.org/calendar/.
For any other questions you may have, feel free to contact me via email or Instagram. I look forward to capturing your special milestone! You did it!