Graduation Portrait Photography Style and Approach
Congrats on your upcoming graduation from college or congrats on the upcoming graduation from college of someone special in your life! This is a wonderful opportunity to get some fantastic portraits made, and I’d love to be the photographer who provides them.
The main inspiration I draw from comes from the composition of Wes Anderson’s movies and the look of movies shot on film. I love composing photos with my couples in the middle of the frame and the beautiful landscapes surrounding them. Don’t be surprised when I’ll ask you what your favorite movie is to get a point of inspiration.
I love doing sessions that look different from all the other typical graduation sessions out there. That’s why I love working with students who also want a different and unconventional approach to things.
If you’re looking for someone who’s going to be rigid and do things with a cookie-cutter approach where the photos look like photos from every other grad session out there, I might not be the best fit for you.
Please continue reading this page and looking at the sample photos that showcase a variety of graduation portrait sessions I’ve done over the years. You can also jump right ahead to the pricing section to read that important information and to inquire about a session.
Graduation Sessions with Incredible Value
I fully believe in giving the students extra value for the price they pay to schedule a graduation portrait session. That’s why I’m happy to include lots of great options and extras!
A big one is that all graduation portrait sessions are priced with no time limit or limitations on the number of locations used. I’m not going to tell you we only have 30 minutes or 60 minutes or we can only use one location. We can shoot as much as we want, and we don’t have to limit ourselves to campus.
I’m also not going to limit the number of final photos you receive in the hopes of trying to sell you more after the session. When I’m a customer, I hate being upsold, and I refuse to do that to my clients. Unlike what a lot of other photographers will offer, you will receive EVERYTHING that makes the final cut.
You will also receive FOUR DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF YOUR PHOTOS in high-resolution format which is print-quality. You’ll receive an “out-of-camera” version adjusted just for cropping and exposure. You’ll also receive two edited color versions and a black-and-white version.
Your photos will also be delivered back to you within a matter of days. I do not make you wait weeks or months to receive them.
Oh yeah, I’m also going to throw in a bottle of champagne to use for some great “bottle-popping” photos!
Graduation Portraits on Film
All graduation sessions will come with a special film option to go along with the photos taken digitally. This is just one of the many ways I’m happy to bring extra value to your graduation portrait session! The four photos you see above were all shot on film.
I will take photos on a roll of film, send them off to be developed and scanned, and deliver them to you when I receive them.
These take a little longer to process than the digital photos, but I know the wait will be worth it!
Graduation Portrait Session Availability
As we approach the day of your session, I’ll work with you to put together a timeline, get your creative input, and figure out the best stylistic choices for the shoot.
It’s YOUR portrait session, and I want as much input as you want to provide!
When you inquire about a college graduation portrait session, I’ll ask you what time you’d like to do the shoot.
I photograph portrait sessions in the early morning (At or just after sunrise) or in the afternoon/evening (Think closer to sunset).
Do also note that I limit myself to two portrait sessions a day to ensure every student who books with me gets the proper attention they deserve.
Birmingham, Alabama is home and my base of operations. That means a large part of my coverage area has been Tuscaloosa, Alabama along with the Nashville + Atlanta metro areas and locations throughout Georgia, Tennessee, and Mississippi.
If you are in a 250-mile radius, I do not add any additional travel fees to photograph your session.
I am, however, happy to come to any school or location beyond that radius throughout the United States for a graduation portrait session. Travel fees might have to be applied for schools out of the 250-mile radius, but I will work with you on that because I never want distances to be a factor in getting the portraits you want and deserve!
The following is a list of colleges and universities I’m readily available for when it comes to a graduation portrait session, but, if you don’t see your school listed, don’t worry. I’d love to add it to the list!
ALABAMA: The University of Alabama, Auburn University, UAB, Birmingham Southern, Samford University, The University of Montevallo, Troy University, Jacksonville State University, Alabama State, Alabama A&M, University of Alabama Huntsville, University of North Alabama, Athens State University, University of West Alabama, Stillman College, Huntingdon College, University of South Alabama
GEORGIA: University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Emory University, Georgia State University, Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, Oglethorpe University, Kennesaw State University, Berry College, Columbus State University, University of Western Georgia, Mercer University
TENNESSEE: The University of Tennessee, Vanderbilt University, Lipscomb University, Belmont University, Tennessee State University, Middle Tennessee State University, University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, Sewanee: The University of the South, Austin Peay State University, University of Memphis, Rhodes College
MISSISSIPPI: Ole Miss (University of Mississippi), Mississippi State University
College Graduation Portrait Session Pricing
I’ve been photographing graduation sessions since 2010, and I’d love to photograph yours! All portrait sessions include the following:
- No time limit on the session + no limit on the number of shooting locations.
- All digital photos will be rapidly turned around and delivered in high-resolution format with full print rights to a private password protected gallery.
- 4 digital versions of each photo: The out-of-camera version (edited for just cropping and exposure), two edited color versions, and a black and white version.
- A set of photos shot on film. These take a bit longer to process and deliver than the digital versions.
- A $100 print and product credit.
- Coordination + styling assistance if needed.
- A bottle of champagne to use.
Portrait sessions are $500.
Family members are welcome to be involved in the shoot. You are able to include up to two additional friends in the session. An additional fee can be added if more friends are involved in the session. An additional fee can also be added for any session outside of my 250 mile coverage radius.
Since there is no-time limit on the shoot and you are paying for the session as a whole, mini-sessions and “by-the-hour” pricing are not available.
Please take in all the details and information I have regarding graduation portrait sessions. Do also take a look at the galleries from the many graduation and senior portrait sessions I’ve photographed in the past.
If we all feel that this is going to be a perfect fit, we can schedule a consultation over the phone or Zoom. That is where we’ll go over all sorts of creative and specific details regarding your session. It’s also a great opportunity to ask questions and get to know each other better.
A signed agreement + a retainer of 1/2 of the package price would be required to book your session. The final payment would be due the day of the session.
I ask that you please fill out the form below so I can get you an accurate and fair quote for your session. I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
Testimonials
David was such a wonderful graduation photographer. He knows exactly how to pose you and is patient. He answered all my questions promptly from March to October (October was when my pics actually took place). As we planned, he diligently took care of all my questions and concerns. It was definitely worth working with him and would do it again!
-Ozioma
David took pictures of me and two friends for our graduation from Emory University. Our first day got rained out, but he was super flexible about rescheduling! And the photos turned out great! Would highly recommend for anyone’s grad pics, just be sure to communicate what you want and he will deliver!
-Kira
My photo session with David was fun and professional. He was flexible with dates and very accommodating when it came to photo ideas, props, and including family members in my graduation photo shoot. I wish I could give him more than 5 stars! I love my photos and cannot wait to share them. David, thank you for making my graduation so special with these photos!
-Melissa
You can’t go wrong with David!!! He is so kind, easy to talk to, and flexible with outfits, locations, champagne, and friends, and he used my input to take beautiful photos just the way I wanted. 🙂 I am super satisfied, love my photos, and highly recommend him to anyone looking to get the graduation photos done! Our day turned out to be rainy but David managed to get in 9 locations all over campus within an hour!! He’s Superman! He also made my friend and I very comfortable when taking photos, he gives you natural-looking poses and very specific and helpful instructions and suggestions to help.
-Casey
I had the opportunity to work with David for my undergraduate pictures. He was very kind and made my experience very comfortable. He is extremely talented and has a good eye. I will be staring at my pictures for the rest of my life. Please Please Please book him!! I can promise you, you WILL NOT regret it.
-Taylor
David did amazing on my college graduation photos! I could not have asked for a better photographer! Would recommend to anyone!!
-Melissa
“He made me feel so comfortable during my graduation photos and was very patient when I wanted to visit numerous locations. He listened to what I wanted and included me in the editing process. He’s a wonderful, experienced photographer and I highly recommend him!”
-Defne
“David was so nice. The pictures are amazing and exactly what I was looking for. The turnaround was super fast. I am in love with my pictures.”
-Kylie
“David recently photographed our teen for their senior portraits, and I highly recommend him. He understood our unique requests. He was efficient but took the time to help put any nerves at ease, making our teen look their best, natural self in front of the camera. He captured not only their personality in the pictures but also the natural light and chosen background in such a beautiful way. We look forward to using him again when our next teen becomes a senior. Highly recommend him for senior portraits.”
-Ellis
“BOOK DAVID!! I can go on and on about him! He did my masters’ graduation pictures at The University of Alabama and I was so impressed and ecstatic with the results! David was affordable and gave me a great portfolio with a good quantity of pictures. He also let me split a session with a friend making it well within a reasonable price range for the finished products, and I got fun, memorable pictures with friends! We were able to make the shoot very unique and personal, he helped pose us and let us add on whatever shots we wanted as well! He was extremely nice and fun to shoot with, flexible with dates, affordable, captured amazing images, does not over-edit, and was very attentive and responsive!! I never had to wait long at all for a response from him. These are all things that are extremely hard to find in a photographer in Tuscaloosa. I would know, I have lived here for over 5 years, have two degrees, and I’ve had many kinds of graduation photoshoots!”
-Connor
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