Indoor Ceremonies
STAGE/HANDSHAKE POSE
Students will pause for a photo after accepting their diploma
Try to setup directly in front of the administrator, but that may not be possible
Time is essential in order to keep the ceremony moving
Some students may hug the administrator, focus on getting as much of their face as possible
Camera Settings
400 ISO, Shutter speed 1/125th, F11
Image Quality: Large Stair Step
Gear Preparation
1 Main Light - White Lightning (1600 or 3200) on a large stand with some diffusion.
1 Slash Light or Hair Light to give some separation from background.
1 Background Slash Light on a Jake (with school toned colored gel if possible)
1 Primary Camera Backpack
1 Backup Camera Backpack
A 24-105mm or 18-135mm lens
3 Tiered Step Stool
Blue Tape
4+ Extension Cords & 3 Power Strips
The TNJ
Audio/Video Recording Device for the ceremony
Always keep a charged battery in your pocket!
Ceremony Setup
Preparation
Both cameras should be set up and custom white balanced.
If your Primary Camera goes down, you need to be able to begin using your Backup Camera immediately
Use blue tape to make two floor markings on the stage, one for the administrator & one for the graduate
Remind the administrator it’s VERY helpful if they stay on that spot during the ceremony
Make sure your remotes have fresh batteries and your lights are NOT on “Full Power”
Be unobtrusive as possible during the ceremony proceedings
Once you are ready, place your equipment under the stage in a way that’s easy to pull out when it’s “Go time!”
Dorian Helper Duties
Help with setup and anything the photographers may need throughout the event
Match student names in the job
Do not stand next to the photographer during the ceremony
Take notes on the walking list with any distinguishing features about each graduate to help identify students later if needed. For example, Glasses, Floral Lei, Gold Ribbon, Red Hair, etc.
If they are using camera cards or note cards, make sure that they are kept in walking order
Pressing record on the video cameras before students begin walking across the stage
TIPS
Communicate to the administrator to stay in place as the photographer is typically on a step stool and unable to move around
Ask what the traditional pose is for this school. Is it a handshake and pose, a hug, a high five? Handshake and pose is always preferred and looks much nicer.
If you have the space, set up your laptop and shoot into the TNJ. It makes it much easier to match later.
Set up a slash light or hair light to separate the student from the backdrop. Use school colored gels for your background slash lights if possible.
For a large graduating class, rent or borrow a tripod taller than our standards. Your arms WILL get tired during a big graduation with a large graduation class.
Before focusing, try to time out the tassel swaying to the side of the face
FLAG POSE
Typically taken as the graduate exits the stage after receiving their diploma
A few schools prefer this shot BEFORE they walk across the stage
Both of these options are time sensitive as you want to avoid any build up of students that may disrupt the flow of the ceremony
Gear Preparation
1 Main Light - White Lightning (1600) on a large stand and depending on location, either use some diffusion, a black umbrella, or a softbox right over the camera.
1 Slash Light or Hair Light on a stand to give some separation from background.
2 Stands and Crossbar for backdrop
Background fabric with 6+ clamps and 4+ binder clips
1 American Flag, 1 State Flag with Dorian Grad Flag stands
Sandbags
Footprint mat
Blue Tape
1 Primary Camera Backpack
1 Backup Camera Backpack
A 24-105mm or 18-135mm lens
Tripod
Always keep a charged battery in your pocket!
Wireless remotes for your lights
Camera bag with Laptop
The TNJ
Ceremony Setup
Camera Settings
200 ISO, Shutter speed 1/125th, F11
Image Quality: Large Stair Step
Preparation
Steam the back drops at the office before the ceremony or bring a steamer with you
Pleatthe back drop down the middle using large background clips
Clip the flags to the backside of the backdrop using binder clips to properly hang the flags on the front side
Use the floor feet or another indicator to mark where the graduate will stop and pose with their diploma
Both cameras (Main camera & back up camera) should be set up and custom white balanced
Make sure your back up camera is easily accessible just in case
Helper Duties
If we're able to match names on site, ideally the Helper would assist the photographer in that way.
If not, the Helper should be in position next to the background to help stop each graduate and make any slight adjustments to their hair, glasses, or diploma within the 5 seconds we have of each posing and photographing them.
Tassel placement on photographers left
Proper flag placement
Tips
Shoot directly into the TNJ on the laptop when you can
If the school can provide their own flags on nice flag poles/stands and a nice background like a curtain we can light, feel free to use that instead of the one we bring
Flowers and other props are highly encouraged
Tassels should be on the Photographer’s left
Make sure the diploma is right side up so the school name doesn't appear upside down
At the end of a graduation ceremony, seniors are asked to move their tassels from their right to their left to signify officially graduating
Reading Photographer’s left to right flags should ALWAYS be in this order: American flag > State flag
Too high
Just right!
Great shot!
Diploma Placement
Have students hold their diplomas lower on their chest (belly button level) or off to the side in order to see more of their tassels and awards ribbons
Glare
Great shot!
Diploma Glare
Make sure diplomas are tilted slightly forward to avoid glare.
FLAG STAND
