Everything You Need To Know About Your Grad Session

Grad season is right around the corner and I’m excited to announce my 2025 grad guide is officially here! If you are graduating this guide will help you through the process of booking your grad session. It's also full of grad outfit inspiration, prop recommendations, and all of my tips and tricks that will help you have the grad session of your dreams!

Graduate in black and gold stole poses on concrete steps for professional photos.

How To Book Your Grad Session

1. Fill out the contact form on my website

Go to my website and fill out the contact form HERE to get started! Please specify that you are looking to book a grad session and you can expect an email response within a week. If you do not hear from me you can always email me at isabelmariephotography@gmail.com to make sure I received your contact form.


2. Email Correspondence 

I will email you the 2025 grad interest form to fill out so I can get more details about you and your ideal grad session. Once I receive your form I’ll email you my availability and we will finalize a date and time that works best for you!


3 Confirming Your Booking

Once we select a date I’ll send you a session invite via email for you to confirm your booking. This is a very important step to make sure the session is confirmed on my calendar.


4 Finalize Your Booking

Along with the session confirmation I’ll email you an invoice that is separated into two payments. The first payment is the 20% non-refundable down payment that confirms your session date. The second payment is the remaining amount due on the day of your grad session. You’ll receive an email confirming I received your down payment. Once your down payment is paid your date and time will be secured. You can reach out anytime to ask any question before your grad session!




Book Your Grad Session

Fill out the contact form to get started

BOOK HERE

What To Wear To Your Grad Session

Picking an outfit

The most important thing is picking something you feel confident and comfortable in! Pick a color or pattern that matches or compliments your school colors. Express yourself! Pick your favorite color or a fun outfit if it feels authentic to you. If you need inspiration you can check out my ShopMy list of grad dresses and accessories.


Second Outfits

Your second outfit is meant to be fun! Find something that shows your personality or is related to your major. Not sure what to bring as your second outfit? Here are some ideas:

  • School gear
  • Business Outfit
  • A different colored dress
  • Club, organization, or sports team outfit
Graduate in white dress poses with graduation sash and cap on sunny grass lawn.
Graduate in pink robe poses in front of California State University Fullerton entrance sign.
Graduate in white sweater and graduation stole poses on beach with cap and ocean view.
Graduate in pink blazer and decorated stole poses on campus steps with Mexican flag sash.
Student poses playfully in library wearing Cal State Long Beach sweatshirt between bookshelves.
Group wearing UCLA sports jerseys pose together on grass field.

Props & Accessory Ideas

Props are a fun way to spice up your grad pictures and make them more personal to you! Here are some ideas so you can get some inspiration:


Popular Grad Props:

  • Champagne
  • Confetti (biodegradable)
  • Flowers
  • Pool floaties for the fountain
  • Sunglasses
  • Second stoles and tassels
  • Different color cap & gown
  • “2025” handheld balloons
  • Diploma holder
  • Flags
  • School gear
  • Foam fingers
  • Pom poms
  • Pendant
  • T-shirt or sweatshirt


Major Related Grad Props:

  • Lab coat
  • Gavel
  • Stethoscope
  • Books / Textbooks
  • Artwork/ newspaper/ magazine
  • Blazer (to take a LinkedIn headshot)
  • Anything specific to your major!

Shop some of my favorite props from my curated list on my Amazon Storefront.

Graduate in cap and gown holds decorated graduation cap gloves against pink cherry blossoms.
Student takes graduation photos in a fountain with decorative silver dandelion sculptures.
Graduate poses with graduation cap and honors stoles in outdoor garden setting.
Graduate sits on Steps of Troy with two small dogs wearing matching outfits.
Family group celebrates graduation with gold stoles and white attire by pool.
Graduate in white dress and gold stole poses with flowers near modern architecture.
Graduate wearing CSULB sweatshirt poses in outdoor campus setting with trees.
Student in pink lab coat works with plants in research laboratory setting.
Graduate in white dress and black graduation stole poses with a stethoscope in an outdoor garden setting.
Graduate poses creatively on yellow architectural steps against blue sky background.
Student in black blazer poses with textbooks among pink flowers.
Graduate poses with large yellow CSULB letters during graduation celebration.

Before Your Grad Session

Grad Session Packing List

  • Cap, gown, and stole(s)
  • Extra pair of shoes to walk in
  • Towel (for after champagne spray or fountain)
  • Any props you'd like:
  • Champagne (bring an extra to be safe)
  • Confetti (get biodegradable paper confetti)
  • Flowers
  • Anything related to your major
  • Extra outfit (if included in your package)
  • Blazer (to take a LinkedIn headshot)
  • Bobbi pins, hair brush, makeup etc.
  • Water and snacks
  • Tote bag to carry everything!
Graduation packing checklist showing items like gown, shoes, and champagne.

Prep For Your Grad Session

Here are some of my tips and tricks to help prepare for your upcoming grad session!

  • Order your grad gear as soon as possible especially if you want a custom stole!
  • Figure out what you want to wear and make sure it will arrive in time if you are shopping online. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable!
  • Book any necessary appointments (hair, makeup, nails etc.)
  • Coordinate with family members or significant others who are attending your session. Make sure they know where and when to meet you the day of your session.
  • Gather inspiration for your session! This is not required, but it’s fun to create a Pinterest board to get an idea of what you’d like. Feel free to share it with me so I can help you execute your vision!
  • Pack all your stuff and lay out your outfit the night before your session!


The Day of Your Grad Session

What to expect:

  • I’ll text you the week of your session to confirm your session and coordinate a place to meet.
  • Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early and text me when you get there!
  • Feel free to create a playlist if you want to play music during your session.
  • I’ll help you with poses and I am always open to your ideas.
  • This is your grad session so the most important thing is to have fun!


Tips & Tricks:

  • Have a friend, family member, or significant other come with you to help carry your stuff and make you feel more comfortable.
  • Bring an extra bottle of champagne or confetti so you have more than one chance to get the perfect shot!
  • Make sure your second pair of shoes are easy to slip on and off!
  • If you’d like a professional headshot for LinkedIn bring a blazer or jacket to put over your outfit.
  • Bring a comfortable jacket that is easy to take on an off just in case you get cold
  • As cheesy as it sounds, be yourself!
Graduate poses with decorated graduation cap featuring navy and orange design.

After Your Grad Session

Picture Selection and Final Gallery:

Standard turnaround time: 3-6 weeks (expedited editing packages are available)

  1. You’ll receive an email to preview your grad pictures and select your favorites 1-2 weeks after your session.
  2. The email will contain the password and instructions for selecting your favorites on Pixiset.
  3. Once you finalize your favorites please let me know!
  4. You’ll receive an email 2-3 weeks after you select your favorites with the link to your final gallery.
  5. The email will contain the password, download code, and instructions to download your grad pictures.
  6. Please download ALL your pictures and have a back up somewhere! Galleries expire a year from the day they are sent. This date is stated in the email.


Posting Etiquette:

I absolutely love when my clients post their favorite pictures from their session on social media! Here are a few friendly reminders to keep in mind while posting:

  • Please tag @isabelmariephotography on all posts! I love seeing your posts and hyping you up in the comments.
  • Please DO NOT alter the edited images (adding filters, modifying, etc.)


Client Testimonials:

After your session I’ll email you asking you to fill out a client testimonial about your experience. I really appreciate the feedback and it helps grow my business!

Graduate takes creative photos with large yellow CSULB letters on campus.

Congrats Class of 2025!

I can’t wait to meet you at your upcoming grad session! If you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out: isabelmariephotography@gmail.com