Congratulations are in order! You have made it to senior year of high school or college, or you’ve completed an advanced or technical degree!! Your family and friends have probably started asking you a hundred questions and at the top of everyone’s list, when are you taking your graduation photos?

Don’t worry, Royal T. Visuals has you covered.

Spring Graduates

Most likely, you are a spring graduate. This means your graduation falls sometime between May and June. This time of the year has it’s pros (weather) and cons (busy season for your favorite photographers).

The number one piece of advise I can give a Spring Graduate is book early! Waiting until the month of your graduation to book your shoot can cause you extra stress. What if your outfits don’t come in time or it rains or your favorite photographer doesn’t have an availability that aligns with your hair stylist? You always want to give yourself a grace period and avoid expedition fees from your photographer. Waiting till the week of? Yikes friend, you most likely won’t have your edits until after graduation day.

But, I know you! You would never leave something so important to the last minute. By being proactive and taking your photos a minimum of a month in advance, it allows for you to:

1. Know Your Location(s)

   I know what you’re thinking, I’m just going to take them at my school. That makes perfect sense to me as well. The purpose of this shoot should be to tell a mini story of who you were as a student. Although this may seem like the easiest option, your photographer will still need to scout campus in advance and be semi aware of the class schedules and high traffic areas, so plan ahead. When narrowing down the campus, choose places that reflect where you spent your time and showcase your growth!

2. Receive Your Prints on Time

   I’m probably aging myself with this next one, but I think it’s still relevant advice. There is nothing like receiving printed copies of photographs. Yes, I know the majority of the world is digital, but think about your favorite teacher or a counselor who helped you get to this pivotal moment, don’t you want to give them something tangible to remember you? Planning early allows time for your photographer to edit your favorite images and you’ve built in time for the printers to print and ship all your invitations, prints, and/or canvas on time.

3. Reschedule your Photos

   On the very rare chance something goes wrong like the weather is bad the day of your shoot and you need to reschedule you have time. Most photographers are very understanding, especially when it is a weather issue, and will work with you.

Related: How To Prepare For Your Photoshoot

Fall Graduates

Hey fall graduates! Sometimes the world forgets about us, but rest assured, we still matter! Like our friends in the spring, you to have pros and cons. A pro being not that many people aren’t graduating during this time, so your favorite photographer may not be as booked. A con will forever be the weather.

Congratulations once again on reaching this milestone, whatever your story and path may have been!

Related: Graduation Photoshoot Timeline