University of Chicago Graduation Photographer

If you’re looking for a University of Chicago Graduation Photographer, I can help capture this special milestone.

After several years of doing graduation cap and gown portraits on University of Chicago campus I have figured out two basic packages fit 99% of my clients.

I prefer to work on a time rather than a number of photos or people in the photos.

With over 26 years of experience wrangling large groups at weddings, I tend to be able to work a lot faster than most graduation photographers, so 30 minutes or an hour is typically ample time.

This allows flexibility and helps some students get photos with friend groups mixed in. I typically recommend no more than three people in a 30 minute session and up to five in an hour session.

University of Chicago Graduation Photographer

When should you take your graduation photos?

The sooner you get them done, the better. It gets really busy on campus as commencement approaches. tents and chairs and all sorts of things go up on campus. This often blocks some great backgrounds. It also gets busy with other sessions. In the last two weeks before graduation it gets tough competing with several people getting photos at the favorite spots.

While the light is best earlier in the day or later in the day, the options on campus with open shade and cover allow for great images any time of the day.

Since I live on campus and this is all I do, I am often available any time on week days between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Weekends book up fast and most Saturdays I have weddings to photograph.

What does a Graduation session look like?

I like to start sessions at Botany Pond. It’s an easy landmark and close to the Hull gate which is a classic spot to get on campus.

From there we normally move to the quad and then Bond Chapel to get the classic architecture there. For longer sessions the option of Ida Noyes Hall is always great.

Some students like to go to other spots that may be uniquely special to them.

A hall or space they spent a lot of time at. Any area we are allowed to access and take photos is open to the session.

(Yes we all wish we could go to a certain Library. Sadly not an option)

There are many other little spots between places we may stop when light looks good.

What happens after a session?

At the end of your graduation portrait session it takes between 24 and 48 hours for editing and uploading of images to get done. Again with so many years of experience with graduation and wedding photography, my workflow is a lot faster than most photographers. I also have the advantage of this being my full time job. Most graduation photographers will have a job and this is an extra gig for them. I choose the best photos and edit them with a very natural style. Cropping, straightening, color correction and basic skin retouching are done on every image I deliver.

How are images delivered?

You will receive a link to an online hidden gallery. In the gallery you can purchase prints at reasonably prices, and you can download all the images in high resolution for free. Anyone you share the link with can download them too. (great for family) This gallery will be online at least a year.