E&C's Utah State Grad Session

Utah State University campus in Logan is stunning in the springtime! I hadn't been there in years and I was amazed how picturesque it was for graduation photos. I met Christian and Emily at the historical Old Main building with the classic "A" on top of one of the pointed roofs and we snapped several shots there before moving on to the grass-filled courtyard for a celebratory champagne pop!

After posing on the Aggie's "A"-emblazoned bench where students notoriously are initiated "true Aggies" we made our way to Emily and Christian's respective study spots and college buildings! Just spending a little over an hour together I couldn't help but be so proud of them myself and be excited for their next big thing which is moving closer to downtown for their new post-college jobs! I love being a Utah State Grad Photographer and Utah Photographer .

8 tips to know before your grad session:

1. Borrowing a cap and gown from a friend or ordering off amazon tends to be much less pricey than ordering through the school (you only wear it once or twice anyways right?)

2. Get grad photos taken at least a month before graduation day. This way if you want to print, post or mail graduation invitations or announcements you have plenty of time depending on how long your gallery turn around time is.

3. Get some photos without your graduation attire too so you can use the photos for other things such as linkedn or profile pictures!

4. Have a pal come with you! It makes it even more fun and sometimes it can be helpful to have someone help carry additional outfits, props and graduation attire when you're switching in and out of looks.

5. Have in mind locations you want to be photographed by if your session is on campus! Your photographer will be able to tell you what looks gorgeous for lighting but only you know what spots made up your school experience and what means the most to you!

6. Tassels go from right to left during graduation commencements so for graduation photos it's really up to you which side you wear it on-- it's generally not even noticeable in a photo anyway!

7. Come with some ideas! If there are shots that you're dying to have... show your photographer an example! I think it is so fun to see the shots my clients have in mind and it helps make the session even more you can head to Pinterest for poses and photo ideas (even mood board ideas)!

8. If you're doing a "champagne pop" you can just use a Martinelli's and shake it up extra hard and then help it out of the bottle once you pop the lid off by shaking the bottle around while it pours out-- it has pretty much the same effect as champagne for photos but is much less pricey.

Bonus: if you're doing a champagne pop bring two bottles if you want to be sure you get a good photo you may want two attempts at it-- and of course be sure to smile throughout the pop for the best pictures;) People tend to be surprised and feel like they'll get it on them but try to hold it together for the photo if you really want that shot. (Bringing paper towels and a bottle opener is helpful too!)

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