GET READY FOR YOUR GRAD SESSION!

If you requested a specific starting location, we’ll meet there. If we’re meeting at the Main Quad, we’ll coordinate by text but aim to meet by Memorial Church. If you’d like to change your starting spot, just text or email me. If we need to start a little late for any reason, we can extend past your scheduled end time if availability allows.

Stay away from busy patterns/logos/stripes. Select classic jewelry and accessory pieces that won’t overpower your portraits. For groups, coordination of outfits always looks best! Choose solid colors if possible, because patterns break up a photo.

Most of all, wear what you feel comfortable and confident in! What supersedes all recommendations is that anything that represents your identify and personal style is better than clothing that fits all “rules”!

Bring your gown, cap and any additional graduation apparel that your school provides. Even if you don’t want to wear any/all of them, we can use them as props for photos (i.e. hat toss).

Make sure you steam your regalia before the session to avoid wrinkles!!

Weather is not always predictable! The weather does not need to be warm and sunny for photos to turn out well, and in fact, photos often turn out better when it’s overcast because there are less intense shadows.

The only time to consider rescheduling photos is if there is a storm or heavy rain in the forecast. I ask that you don’t ask to reschedule due to inclement weather until 48 hrs before your session because of how rapidly the forecast can change.

Champagne! Confetti cannons! A thesis you wrote! You can bring any props you want for the session, and let me know at the start of the session what you brought and where you want to use it. (Note for confetti – please purchase biodegradable confetti options if possible. Here’s an example of a confetti cannon, confetti packs, or you could do dried flowers! Dried coconut also looks amazing which TJs has).

I also highly recommend brining a mirror, a brunch and extra safety pins just in case.

I’ll always have directions and ideas for poses that you can do, but you’re also welcome to bring your own ideas and direct poses yourself! If you want to try out a specific idea, bring a photo to show me. You can look at my website for ideas, other photographer’s websites, Instagram, Pinterest, or anywhere else.

I ask for payment in full by the end of the session. My Venmo is @Madeline-Hinkley if that method works, but I can also take PayPal, cash or check. If you’re in a group, I ask that one person sends the full payment.

I’ll have your photos ready within approximately two weeks. Sometimes it’s faster, and there’s a chance that there could be a slight delay during peak photo times, so please be patient. When they’re ready, I’ll email you an online gallery with a password for your group to access.

My number is 269-532-2209 and my email is madelinemmhinkley@gmail.com. Feel free to contact me through either for your session.

I do not provide un-edited photos. This is for many reasons, primarily because it doesn’t represent my work and my art properly.

My editing style aims to be natural and warm. I don’t over-edit and smooth faces because that is not my style. If you feel that the end product does not accurately represent you then I’m more than happy to re-edit within my abilities.