UNSW University Graduation Photography Sydney
Hanif graduated from UNSW in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. His whole family and aunt flew over from Malaysia to celebrate this achievement! See how we helped them celebrate and remember his last 4 years here.
What Is Graduation Photography?
When talking about university graduation, there’s really two types of graduation photography in Sydney.
When you graduate, you’ll get a ceremony. You’ll go on stage to receive your testamur and that will be photographed. There will be studios set up on campus, where the photography company has hired people to take shots of you in your gown in the standard way that hasn’t changed in 30+ years. Your family can join in, and you buy a little sheet of photos like in primary school. We’ve worked in this part before, but it’s not what we’re talking about today.
The second type of graduation photography, is about reliving your university life for the final time. We walk around the campus, visiting places you studied, rested, ate, and played. It’s a lifestyle event type of photography, that’s genuine and memorable.
When Should I Have Graduation Photography?
It’s usually done on the same day as your ceremony, though purely for convenience. You could really have it any day when your family and friends are free to be with you. It’s better to have it after your ceremony, as you’ll have your testamur/certificate to show off!
It’s a time to show your family how you’ve been spending the past few years. Revisit the place you met your girl/boyfriend, and where you first asked them out. To tell stories, to relive, and to celebrate your achievements.
What Do I Need For Graduation Photography?
The basic thing you need is formal wear, and a gown with your university and school colors on it. If you’ve had your ceremony, then bring your testamur/certificate.
Gowns can be hired or bought.
You can buy cheap graduation gowns online for around $100. They are made of thin materials, sparse stitching, so they will last for a photo shoot but not much else.
Hire gowns probably cost the same. They are thicker materials you would use in real clothing. Real velvet and fur if appropriate. They sit better on you, fluff doesn’t fall off them. We can tell the difference in photos. We always recommend to hire.
How Long Does Graduation Photography Take?
You really have to think about your goals. Imagine in 10 years time, you sit with your child and open your album. Will you say to them “Let’s look at this 2 hours of photos we took?”
No, you’ll want to be showing them the places you had your lectures, how the computer room looks so antiquated back in those days, where you played sports – actual things that were important to you.
If you spent your whole university life in 1 building and never ventured out, you may only need 2 hours of photography.
If you had extra activities, took optional classes, had a favorite cafe, then you may want some extra time to take it all in.
How Do You Choose A Graduation Photographer?
Again you should think of your goals. If you just want some snaps around campus, bring a friend to take photos. Actually dad was a keen photographer in this case, and he knew he wanted to document this milestone properly with a professional.
As Portrait Photographers, we add value by learning your story then telling it visually. We know lighting so you don’t have dark eye sockets or blurry shots. We know how to pose you so you look fantastic but natural.
We’ve worked on the pop-up studio side too, so we know exactly how to style your gown to look the best in photographs.
Our goal is to take care of everything, so you can enjoy your day without worries, and be confident you have memories to look back on.
Valent Lau Photography provides Graduation Photography in Sydney and is based in Coogee. Contact us now and take your first step towards celebrating your important event.
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