College graduation marks a pivotal moment in one’s life journey, symbolizing the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. On the campus of Florida A&M University, the tradition of celebrating this achievement with astonishing graduation photo shoots has become increasingly popular.
These photo shoots are more than just a visual memento; they encompass the essence of academic accomplishments, personal growth, and the transition to a new chapter of life.
The photos stand as a testament to students’ perseverance and scholarly achievements.
Their choice of location for these photos often holds great sentimental value, ranging from iconic university landmarks such as the eternal flame to standing in front of Greek letter organization plots.
The intention is to create a visualization that complements the graduate’s personality and reflects the unique journey each student has undertaken.
Graduating computer engineering student Alleana Jacobs says her graduation photo shoot experience and eagerness to have the photos as memories as she walks across the stage.
“I did four different grad looks and four different locations, two were on campus, one at the horse stables and another at the engineering school. I wanted to be out of the box, I did the horse stables because I’m from Texas and that portrays me,” Jacobs said. “Some of my shoot ideas didn’t come as precisely as I wanted them, but I was content because they came out great. All in all, my shoot was very exciting.”
And make no mistake. These sessions aren’t cheap. Jacobs said her total expenses for the shoots rounded up to close to $1,000.
Xavier Clemons, a graduating business administration student, also shared his graduation shoot experience.
“I did a total of three looks and three locations. I took photos at the School of Business and Industry, the eternal flame, and the Greek wall,” Clemons said. “My experience was both exciting and stressful, because I wanted to have a perfect shot in each photo. I’m truly just happy to have had the privilege to take pictures and be a part of this moment.”
Photographers also play a crucial role in bringing moments like this to life, skillfully capturing the emotions and pride that radiates from graduates. Using creative angles, lighting, and candid shots adds depth to the storytelling aspect of each student’s journey. Christina Stapleton, owner of Shots by Stapleton, shares her graduation photo shoot experience from behind the camera and her favorite part of shooting.
“Each graduation season I usually have about 30-40 clients lined up. My favorite aspect would have to be doing the shoots themselves, there is always a lot of great energy between the clients and friends. It’s always fun capturing the moment with music going and seeing people’s reactions,” Stapleton said. “This makes for great morale during the shoot.”
In doing photo shoots at both FAMU and Florida State University, Stapleton has a diverse and vast clientele. Stapleton says that the eternal flame is the most popular place to shoot on FAMU’s campus.
Social media platforms such as Instagram serve as a canvas for graduates to share their achievements with followers. The photos quickly become inspiration for students, a means of connecting with alumni, and a proud announcement to family and friends.
College reflections accompany these photos in lengthy captions, often reminiscing good times, challenges faced and a look into aspirations for the future.
College graduation photo shoots contribute to the collective memory of a graduate’s college experience and become a visual archive to look back on for years to come.