How to Hire a Graduation Photographer in Thunder Bay
Graduation day is one of the most significant milestones in a student’s life. Whether it’s a kindergarten ceremony, high school commencement, university convocation, or adult education celebration, these moments deserve to be documented beautifully and professionally.
I recently had the privilege of photographing the Matowa graduation here in Thunder Bay, and it reminded me how important professional photography is for these ceremonies. It also made me realize that many schools and institutions aren’t sure what to look for when hiring a graduation photographer.
So I’m sharing this complete guide to help you plan graduation photography that captures every important moment without disrupting your ceremony.
Why Professional Photography Matters
Professional graduation photography ensures every student has quality documentation of their milestone, regardless of whether their family could attend or afford their own photographer. These images become part of your school’s permanent archive and provide marketing content for years to come.
At the Matowa graduation, I captured award presentations, emotional embraces between elders and graduates, and families celebrating together. These authentic moments deserve professional attention.
Key Things to Discuss With Your Photographer:
1. Positioning During the Ceremony
The most critical conversation is about where your photographer should be positioned. They need to capture the handshake, the diploma presentation, and the graduate’s face without blocking guests’ views or disrupting the ceremony flow.
Communicate clearly about:
- Where you want the photographer during the ceremony
- Which areas are off-limits
- The best angle to capture graduates’ moments
At Matowa, I positioned myself to capture certificate presentations and graduates’ expressions while staying invisible to attendees.
2. Candid Coverage
Let your photographer know if you want candid coverage throughout the event. Candid photos capture the real story of graduation day including nervous laughter before the ceremony, families’ proud faces, and post-ceremony celebrations.
Not every graduate has family with cameras. Candid coverage ensures every student gets professional photos of their special day. At Matowa, some of my favorite shots were the unposed moments including two graduates laughing together and a multi-generational family celebrating at their table.
3. Photo Booth or Photo Station
If you want guaranteed family portraits, consider adding a photo booth or dedicated photo station. This requires an additional photographer, so communicate this need early in your planning.
Benefits include:
- Every family gets a professional group photo
- Customizable backdrops in school colors
- Great shareable content for social media
- Takes pressure off the ceremony photographer
This affects staffing, equipment, setup requirements, and pricing, so discuss it upfront.
4. Class Photos and Archives
Don’t overlook whole class photos. These images become part of your school’s permanent history and are valuable for alumni connections, yearbooks, and promotional materials.
Decide when to take class photos (before or immediately after the ceremony) and what format works best for your institution. Your photographer will need time to scout the location and coordinate with your staff.
Working With Schools vs. Individual Families
Graduation photographers can be hired by institutions or individual families, and the scope differs significantly.
When hired by schools: Comprehensive coverage ensures every student receives professional documentation and photos can be used for marketing and archives.
When hired by families: Focused coverage on one specific graduate with more personal, intimate moments.
I work with both scenarios. Schools provide equitable documentation for all students, while families get deeply personal coverage of their graduate’s journey.
Cultural Sensitivity in Thunder Bay
Many Thunder Bay graduations, especially those serving Indigenous communities, incorporate cultural elements. Your photographer should understand and respect cultural protocols, ask permission before photographing sacred moments, and take direction from knowledge keepers and elders.
When I photograph these ceremonies, I always ask beforehand about any moments or practices that should not be photographed. Respect comes first, always.
What to Expect
Clarify these details when hiring:
- Number of edited images you’ll receive
- Delivery timeline
- Delivery format (digital downloads, online gallery, prints)
- Usage rights for marketing and sharing
- Level of editing included
Professional graduation photography is an investment in your students and institutional memory. These moments don’t get a second take, and every graduate deserves beautiful documentation of their achievement.
