A timeline from booking to gallery
This is a general planning timeline, not a rule. Shorten it if your date is close and ask me what is open.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 6 to 8 weeks out | Send your school, your graduation date and two or three session dates |
| 4 weeks out | Pay the retainer to hold the date, and choose the package |
| 3 weeks out | Pick the location and plan the outfits |
| 1 week out | Check the weather, confirm the time and pick up your graduation regalia |
| Day before | Steam the outfits, pack each look on its own hanger and sleep |
| Session day | Eat first, bring water and arrive 10 minutes early |
| 48 hours after | The retouched portraits arrive in a private online gallery |
The retainer is 25 percent of the package and holds the date. The balance is due on the day.
Classic, Signature and Elite compared
| Package | Price | Time | What is included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic | $200 | About 30 min | 1 location, 1 outfit, 15 edited images |
| Signature | $275 | About 45 to 60 min | 2 locations, 2 outfits, 30 edited images |
| Elite | $375 | About 90 min | Multiple locations and outfits, 50 edited images, cap and gown plus casual |
Choose Classic for one strong set. Choose Signature for a campus look and a casual look. Choose Elite if you want a full range, with the graduation look and a relaxed second set. Every package includes a print release. Prices are before NC sales tax.
Outfits and the cap-and-gown plan
Plan two looks: one with the cap and gown, one that feels like you. Solid colors under a gown read cleanly, and shoes matter more than you expect in the full-length frames. Bring a lint roller for the gown. Steam it the day before, because a pressed gown photographs far better than a creased one.
The outfit planner builds a palette for any group. The prep checklists have a Seniors tab with a task list for the week before.
Campus or a golden-hour park
A campus carries the school colors and the moment. A park at golden hour gives soft light and room to move. Many students want both, which is why Signature and Elite include more than one location.
Campus rules vary by school, and some ask for permission before a paid session. The campus spots post lists what each school publishes for NC State, UNC and Duke. For a park, the photo spot finder filters by season and shade.
The referral credit
Elite includes a $50 referral credit. Refer a friend and you both get the credit, as published on the graduation page. Ask me how it applies to your booking.
Where to start
Send your school, your date and your top two places. I reply within one business day with open dates and a confirmed quote. The graduation page has the full package list, and the Apex page lists parks near home base. Use the session timeline planner to work back from sunset on your date.
What to bring
Bring each outfit on its own hanger, shoes for every look, the gown and cap, the stole or cords and any item that tells your story, such as a jersey or a letterman jacket. Add water, a lint roller, a comb and lip balm. A friend or parent can hold things between frames. If you wear glasses, clean them the night before.
The graduation prepare guide walks through the week before, the day of and what comes after.