What makes my grad photos different than other grad photos?

I use lighting equipment and lighting techniques usually reserved for fashion shoots or high end wedding photos. Each time we move locations or dramatically change poses, I take test shots to calibrate my light to the scene to get the best quality of light on you. Once lighting is refined, I let you know so we can start working on posing.

A young woman in a graduation gown and stole, smiling in an arched brick corridor.

A young woman in a graduation cap and gown with a blue and gold stole that reads 'Brooke Lebidine,' 'Class of 2025,' and 'UCLA,' standing under a brick archway.

Here’s an example of the first 4 images taken on a shoot to show process of refining the lighting set up.

Another example, we moved back a bit, changed light from the right side to the left. On the 4th photo, I turned my flash off to show difference with flash and without.

A young woman in a graduation cap and gown, smiling and holding a diploma.

A young woman with long brown hair smiling, wearing a graduation cap and gown, holding her diploma, with earrings and a necklace.

By brightening up the picture without a flash, you can get an idea of what your average photographer would be able to produce. While this might not be a terrible picture, it lacks the clarity and glow of her skin, brightness of the eyes, and sparkle of her smile. These are the differences between a good photo and a great photo.

Why book a professional when you can just take them for free on your iPhone?

Here are two photos taken, one is taken by me with my camera and lighting equipment, and the other is taken with an iPhone. The differences speak for themselves.