Start preparing your graduation album in advance so that you have something to show off to your children and grandchildren in the future. A graduation photo is the best opportunity to show your friends and carefree life.
Ideas and tips for prom photos.
- Discuss photo ideas first.
- Gather your own group.
- Be creative, you can even take a photo of returning home after graduation.
- Control gestures and postures.
- Look for a cute place indoors and outdoors.
- Experiment with camera settings.
- Don’t go overboard.
- Use additional details.
- How to take a graduation photo for a big company?
- Find a nice little viewing spot.
- Experiment with different poses for your prom photo.
- Do everything easy and without problems.
- Retouch and rotate.
1. Discuss photo ideas first
There are no strict rules and standards for good photography. All people differ in their character and appearance. Even the most experienced photographer will not be able to accurately determine the ideal pose for a particular person. The classic list of ideas may seem boring to most photographers, especially teenagers.
Try to talk to alumni to get a better understanding of themselves and determine the approach to the photoshoot that will bring the best results. You will never guess if this couple is a guy and a girl, or if they are just good friends. This information is critical to choosing the right mood and subject for each portrait.
2. Gather your own group
Sometimes there are 2 or 3 models in the photo. In this case, it is better to combine personal and group shooting. Everyone wants to get both their portrait photo and a group photo that determines the level of their relationship. It is important that the models can behave freely, as they like, and how they behave in everyday life. Relaxed posture is the best option in any situation.
Take a few test shots with different hand positions and poses to find the best position for each character. If the stress level still continues to rise, funny accessories or unusual activity in the frame can save the photo. Flowers, umbrellas, or sweets can be a great addition to a photo shoot.
3. Be creative, you can even take a photo of returning home after graduation
Most teenagers don’t bother about how they will pose, which is why they are notably stressed during the shooting. That is why the moment of their arrival and home preparation is the most significant for others and for themselves. The camera must be ready to capture any moment of the evening.
This graduation photo will be a vivid memory of your youth for many years to come. Some successful photos may even become famous masterpieces in the future because you never know who is in front of you, perhaps the future Madonna or John Lennon.
4. Control gestures and postures
Watch couples and groups of teenagers constantly to avoid unwanted crossed fingers mistakes. For a couple, this gesture is very sweet and innocent, but for professionals, it will cause a lot of trouble, because there is no retouching program that can fix the “closed hands” effect without compromising the overall picture. Find comfortable, or even formal, poses. Thanks to them, you can get a good result without extra effort.
5. Look for a cute place indoors and outdoors
Ideas for a graduation photo can be completely different, but they all share common rules for lighting and contrast. That is why it is extremely important to prepare the location and props in advance. Discreet home photos are taken in a neutral part of the house or in front of the front door. The main subject in the frame should be the model herself, and not a prominent part of the interior behind.
Clean up, find the sunniest and bright place. Each shot taken must be retouched in accordance with the wishes of the client. It will always look advantageous if you highlight the hair or some details of the dress.
6. Experiment with camera settings
Such a significant event in the life of every teenager should not be spoiled by inappropriate camera settings. No amount of posture and smile can fix the wrong white balance and lack of flash. Study your device and what effect each of its buttons has. Practice on other models to familiarize yourself with all the nuances of the camera’s operation indoors and outdoors.
7. Don’t go overboard
Do not complicate your life with sophisticated ideas and super plots. Teenagers are already too excited about such an important school event for them to still have fun climbing into the pond or into the trees. Simply choose the right sunlight, sunset is best, and take some simple or even candid photos. And make sure that you have a cool musical accompaniment and a great mood for taking pictures.
8. Use additional details
Additional props are useful not only for models but also for the photographer himself. A tripod is an indispensable thing for any shooting. It would be funny not to use it today. After all, a photo of every hand movement without a tripod requires a long processing process using complex tools. Use this simple device to avoid blurry faces.
9. How to take a graduation photo for a big company?
No one will say that it is easy to catch a good shot on which everything turns out well. In fact, it is impossible to take a photo of a group of people where no one blinks or looks away from the camera. This is a very stressful and difficult task to get the attention of young schoolchildren, but still, there is one way. Ask them all to close their eyes for a moment, and on the count of three, open them and smile. Such advice always works, not only for teenagers but also for older people. Take more than 5 photos, and then you will definitely have something to work with because at least one frame in this case will be successful.
10. Find a nice little viewing spot
Do not neglect the opportunity to study the location for photography. There is no exact place suitable for everyone. Suddenly you can discover new places that create a special mood. And it doesn’t matter if it’s a sweet dance with a guy or a classic greeting pose.
11. Experiment with different poses for your prom photo
To get an interesting shot, you need to distribute your group around the entire perimeter in various poses and with different facial expressions. Some can stand, others can sit, and others can even lie down to make it more fun. Make sure everyone is relaxed and not standing still waiting for the end of this torture. This approach will help to add a touch of lightness and entertainment to the overall album.
12. Do everything easy and without problems
Try to use neutral poses, without imitating hugs and kisses. Not all children are delighted with such photos, especially those taken in public. V-Up is a great basic option that, due to its beauty and simplicity, is suitable for all occasions and all ages. If this approach always ends in success, then why not take it?
13. Retouch and rotate
Photography can be different — difficult or exciting, but the end result, as well as the possibility of reducing the speed of obtaining it, depends not only on successful photo poses but also on processing programs. You should not waste time learning the nuances of Photoshop, while there are many free programs online with simple and understandable tools for retouching and correcting.
All graduates want to look perfect in their photos, so it’s worth taking a little time to make them pleasant by working on eliminating minor aesthetic defects. The preliminary publication of the finished version of the album is an important moment to eliminate possible mistakes and problems with light.
Remember the basic tips for prom photography:
- Face. A half-turned face will be able to emphasize the attractiveness of the appearance of each model. This applies to both prom and wedding photos. All experienced photographers use this feature in their work.
- Hands. Just relax. Before photographing, do a little exercise for your hands, and warm them up. This way they will look natural. Practice in front of a mirror and you will definitely find your perfect pose.
- Emotions. No need to portray simulated emotions. Keep as calm and natural as possible. The main idea of graduation photos is sincere feelings about this particular moment. Whether you are happy or sad is normal. Try to show it naturally, and you will be pleased with the results.
To get professionally edited photos, use a high-quality retouching service RetouchMe. As the leading photo editor app for iPhone and Android, RetouchMe provides over 100 options for face and body correction, skin enhancement, object, and background manipulation. Using a professional photo editor, you will quickly and efficiently hide flaws and emphasize your natural beauty!
