Graduation Photos That Don’t Look Like Mugshots

You’ve worked hard to get here. Whether it’s finishing primary school, secondary school, or university – this moment matters. So why do most graduation photos look like they were taken at the DMV?

Here’s the thing: great graduation photos aren’t about expensive gear or perfect poses. They’re about capturing your achievement without looking stiff or uncomfortable.

Let’s fix this, shall we?

Our Graduation Packages (No Fluff Version)

Classic School Photo Package (£39/10mins)

Quick, professional, and gets the job done.

What to bring:

  • One smart, well-fitted outfit in colors that photograph well (avoid busy patterns)
  • Required school items (graduation cap, gown, school tie, academic sash)
  • Comfortable, polished shoes that coordinate with your outfit
  • Simple jewelry and accessories (watch, school ring, minimal earrings)
  • Hair styling tools for last-minute touch-ups
  • Small mirror and comb for final checks
  • Any school-specific requirements or traditional elements
  • Tissues for nervous perspiration or emotional moments

What you get: Traditional backdrop, one 8×10″ print, two 5×7″ prints, five wallet photos, digital copy. Perfect for official requirements.

Deluxe Scholar Package (£69/20mins) – Most Popular

More time, more variety, better value.

What to bring:

  • 1-2 outfits (formal graduation attire plus smart casual alternative)
  • Graduation props that represent your academic journey (diploma, certificates, academic awards)
  • Items reflecting your field of study or future career plans
  • Family members wearing coordinated colors for group celebration shots
  • Personal achievements to showcase (thesis, portfolio, research projects)
  • School memorabilia that tells your educational story
  • Professional accessories (briefcase, professional bag, quality pen)
  • Multiple pairs of shoes to match different outfit combinations
  • Hair accessories and styling supplies for different looks
  • Any cultural or traditional graduation elements important to your family
  • Thank you cards or announcements if you want to incorporate them into shots

What you get: Multiple backdrops, two 8×10″ prints, four 5×7″ prints, ten wallet photos, custom keychain, digital copies. Enough variety that you’ll actually like some of them.

Ultimate Graduate Collection (£129/45mins)

The full celebration experience.

What to bring:

  • Multiple outfit changes representing different aspects of your academic journey
  • Comprehensive graduation regalia and ceremonial items
  • Meaningful props showcasing your field of study (lab equipment, art supplies, musical instruments)
  • Family members and close friends for extensive group celebration photos
  • Academic achievements and awards accumulated over your educational journey
  • Books, research, or projects that defined your academic experience
  • Professional wardrobe representing your career aspirations
  • Cultural or family graduation traditions you want to incorporate
  • Multiple backdrop preferences and location ideas within the studio
  • Timeline of your educational journey (photos from first day of school to graduation)
  • Letters of acceptance, scholarship awards, or recognition certificates
  • Any mentors, teachers, or professors you’d like to include in group shots
  • Professional styling accessories for different career-oriented looks

What you get: Comprehensive coverage, large format prints including 16×20″ canvas, complete digital collection. For milestone graduations that deserve the full treatment.

What Actually Makes Good Graduation Photos

Get your haircut 2 weeks before, not the day before. Fresh cuts can look harsh. Hair that’s had time to settle looks natural.

Iron your clothes the night before. Not the morning of – the night before. Wrinkles that look fine in person are obvious in professional photos.

Bring props that actually mean something. Your guitar, football boots, the books that got you through. Generic academic props look generic.

Coordinate family colors, don’t match exactly. Think “we belong together” not “we all shopped at the same store.”

The Day of Your Session

Eat something first. Hungry people look cranky in photos.

Arrive a few minutes early. Rushing creates stress, and stress shows on your face.

Trust the photographer. When we suggest poses that feel weird, try them anyway. Camera angles aren’t the same as what you see in the mirror.

Don’t check every photo. Focus on enjoying the moment instead of worrying about how each shot looks.

The Reality Check

This isn’t about looking like a magazine model. It’s about looking like yourself at your absolute best, celebrating something you’ve worked hard for.

Your graduation represents years of effort. The photos should show someone who’s proud of their achievement, not someone who looks like they’d rather be anywhere else.

We’re in Reading city centre, we’ve photographed everyone from primary school leavers to PhD graduates, and we know how to make people look confident even if they hate having their photo taken.

Because that’s what this is really about – looking confident and proud of how far you’ve come.

Ready to book? Don’t leave it until the last minute. Everyone else has the same idea, and good slots fill up fast.