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FOUR KEY ELEMENTS TO CONSIDER WHEN CAPTURING GRADUATION PORTRAIT FOR GUYS

  • 11 minutes ago
  • 2 min read

Although selecting a location for your senior graduation portrait session is typically a top priority in the planning process, the final outcome is often a subtle blending of four essential elements that are vital to achieving your desired result, namely:

1.Venue/Backdrops

2. Lighting

3. Outfits choices  

4. Portrait Poses (including facial expressions)


The essential thread linking all these elements is that 'variety is the spice of life'. The more poses, outfits and backdrops you are photographed with the happier you will be with your pictures, so as you swipe through the photos, try to select a few favorites, then focus on the top four elements again and ask yourself WHY you liked those particular pictures. With a spot of luck it will provide a little more insight and motivation in helping you plan for your portrait session next



Ryan's plain dark polo shirt and light pants are ideal for making him stand out against the natural city background.


Smiling teen in navy polo and white pants leaning against a pole with hands in pockets, with a blurred school building and trees behind him.
Smiling teen sitting on a stone wall with Navy polo shirt and cream pants with one hand resting on his knee

This cream polo shirt perfectly complemented the soft, silky shades of the sunset. Additionally, observe how his formal black shoes give the outfit a distinct vibe.


Teen boy in white shirt and black pants sits by a river with a bridge behind him at sunset, looking calmly at the camera.

An excellent example of 'backlighting' involves illuminating your subject from behind to emphasize their hairline, which also adds a three-dimensional depth by visually separating them from the background.


Smiling young man sits cross-legged by a river at sunset, hand in hair, with a blurred bridge and golden light behind him.

Smiling young man in a white shirt walks on a bridge, with pedestrians, a scooter rider and dog, city skyline behind.

The Stone Arch Bridge with the impressive Minneapolis skyline in the background.



Ryan's dark hoodie exemplifies the importance of clothing in establishing a distinct atmosphere and moodiness in photographs.


Teen boy in black-and-white plaid shirt stands on a bridge with blurred city skyline behind him, looking serious.
Teen boy in a black-and-white plaid hoodie stands on a bridge, smiling with city skyline blurred behind him.

Finally, the most important thing to remember when planning your outfits: if it's not comfortable to wear in real life, it won't make you feel confident on camera! If you aren't someone who likes to dress up or ever wear a suit jacket...! don't recommend doing it now. In order to make the pictures look most like you...they should be a slightly elevated version of an outfit you would normally wear.

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