SJSU GRAD portraits MAKE-UP
class of 2024
please read everything below!
SESSION INFO
MICRO SESSONS
additional poses
private sessions
do’s and don’ts
price list
faq (please read)
Congratulations on your accomplishment! Show off your achievement with graduation photos.
When:
APRIL 25 - 26 10am-5pm
where: sjsu bookstore lower level
What: A free photo sitting* to each 2024 graduating student in front of a green screen (PLEASE DO NOT WEAR GREEN) so as to impose a selection of backgrounds on your portraits, with professional camera and lighting equipment by a qualified professional photographer
No appointment required, but is highly recommended. We get booked quickly and may not be able to photograph you without an appointment.
Using this link allows a quick check-in experience. Without a reservation your time slot is not guaranteed and will be on a first come, first serve basis. Due to the popularity of these photos your check-in wait time may be 15-60 minutes.
RESERVATIONS are closed
please visit us in the spartan bookstore - lower lever for availability.
If you miss your reservation time slot by more than 15 minutes, we may not be able to accommodate a new time or you may be charged a 2nd reservation fee.
*a free sitting does not include deliverable photos (downloads, physical prints, etc.)
Introducing MICRO ICON SESSIONS
One campus location, four poses, big value ($25!)
For $25, this is your chance to be photographed on campus in front of your school’s most notable landmarks, by our team of professional photographers and their professional-grade lighting gear and camera equipment, complete with regalia for you to borrow and an assistant to make sure you look good. We’ll be ready for you at the locations below, but you have to book ahead of time to secure an appointment! Slots will fill up fast.
PASEO WALK
WALL OF REFLECTIONS
TOWER HALL - ARCHES
TOWER HALL - FRONT
What exactly does a $25 Micro Icon Session include?
4 poses at your chosen location*
1 look per location
On-site photo assistant to make sure you look nice
Regalia for photo use**
Online proof gallery
Print products available for purchase, including prints and digital downloads (no obligation to purchase)
Photographed using professional grade camera and lighting equipment by qualified professional photographers
Add a family/friend/pet option available
*Max two locations per student, you may not book more than two locations
** We offer only undergraduate 2024 regalia as prop, any special regalia will need to be provided by you. We will have caps, tassels, and sashes for use. Master student’s bring your own hood for photos.
WHEN: April 27, 2024
10am - 5pm
RESERVATIONS TIME SLOTS ALMOST FULL
why take grad portraits now?
The grad portrait sitting allows us to give you the best graduation portraits possible. This means we ensure your sash is laying flat, your cap is sitting straight, your tassel isn’t swinging in your face, you’re not closing your eyes, and of course, you are smiling (brilliantly).
Your graduation is a moment that deserves to be commemorated in the best way possible. With this session you’ll have the opportunity to be photographed with the utmost care and attention-to-detail by a professional photographer using top-of-the-line lighting and camera equipment.
SITTING INCLUDES:
4 different poses in front of a green screen
Photographed using professional grade camera and lighting equipment by qualified photographers
Online proof gallery of your photos with various backgrounds
A variety of products available for purchase, including prints and digital downloads
No obligation to purchase
No appointment required but strongly recommended, please reserve
Cap & gowns will be available for photos
We only provide Class of 2024 stoles and tassels for photos
MASTER STUDENT’S PLEASE BRING YOUR HOOD FOR PHOTOS
want additional poses?
Reserve your additional 4 poses for $25 prior to your photo session here!
More photos allows for:
professional headshots (with no regalia on) for your resumé
more face angle options/glasses on and off
with & without regalia
photos with a friend or family member
photos with a beloved pet
different sashes
different looks such as smiling, no smiling, with teeth, without teeth
use of fun signage and/or your own props
LOOKING FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT?
We offer Campus Icon Photo Sessions. These are outdoor private, one-on-one photo sessions in front of the iconic locations on campus such as Tower Hall, Spartan Memorial, El Paseo Walk, and the Olympic Black Power Statue.
Campus Icon Photo Sessions are by appointment only. You must provide your own cap & gown for regalia photos but regalia is not required. Please inquire about private sessions.
PERFECT PHOTO DAY - BEST PRACTICES
Arrive hair & make-up ready.
Do not wear green!
Dress to impress! We suggest professional attire such as a collared shirt & tie or fancy blouse with a flattering neckline. We do NOT recommend t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweaters, or busy prints.
If you choose no regalia for your add-on photos, please come dressed appropriately for the occasion.
Your nails will be visible in the diploma photos. Please remember to clean & groom your nails.
A fresh shave is a must or if you have facial hair, have it nicely trimmed.
Master Student’s bring your own hood
Pricing
More product options will be available for viewing with your photo gallery after your sitting. These prices are applicable only to your INDOOR GRAD PORTRAIT SESSION photos.
$15.95
5x7 Print
Printed on Kodak Professional paper.
$45.95
25 Photo Thank you Cards
Printed on white heavyweight stock paper and includes envelopes.
$45.95
1 Digital Download w/Print Copyrights
$89.95
8x12 Vivid Metal Print
Printed on aluminum, high in gloss and quality.
$15.95
Wallets (4) Prints
Printed on Kodak Professional paper.
$27.95
8x10 Print
Printed on Kodak Professional paper.
$45.95
Commencement Custom Plaque
Laminated premium photo print mounted on MDF board with beveled edges.
$69.95
1 Digital Download w/2 5x7 Prints
$12.95
Photo Keychain
Image printed onto a durable aluminum sheet with a mounted key ring.
$119.95
3 Digital Download w/2 5x7 Prints
FAQs
Why do I have to include my gown size when making a photo reservation?
If you did not bring your own gown, we will have you wear the most similar size we have to your true size for your photo at Grad Fest. Please remember that your gown and stole must be pressed or steamed because all wrinkles and folded creases will show in the photos.
CAN I do this without a reservation?
You can, but due to the popularity of our portrait sessions, there may be a wait time of 30 minutes or more during our peak time.
Can I add-on poses on the same day of my reservation, in-person or online?
We encourage you to add-on poses when you make your initial reservation if you wish to have additional poses taken during your session. We may not have availability to add-on poses on the day of your reservations or may ask you to come back during another time slot due to lack of availability.
Can I get a refund for add-on poses?
Add-on poses are non-refundable. We schedule a photographer specifically for your time slot reservation. If you need to reschedule your reservation please be sure to do so 5 days prior to your reservation date/time.
What happens if I cannot make my reservation time slot?
If you need to change your appointment day and/or time, please send us an email with your reservation confirmation number to support@bestgradphoto.com.
Please include the date and time change you would like. We will do our best to accommodate your request but changes may only be made based on availability.
All time and date changes must be submitted 5 days prior to your reservation date/time.
If you miss your scheduled reservation without notifying us by the deadline there will be a rescheduling charge of $25 for a 2nd reservation slot time, and another time slot cannot be guaranteed.
HOW LONG DOES A SESSION TAKE?
If you book for the four free poses, your session should not take longer than 5 minutes.
For additional poses, expect your session to last up to 10 minutes at most.
I’VE ALREADY HAD MY PHOTOS TAKEN BY YOU BUT I’D LIKE A RETAKE, CAN I DO THAT?
If you are trying to book a second session, please rebook and choose “2nd Reservation” as the selected appointment.
Do I need to bring my cap and gown to the Grad Fest for photos?
We will have some cap and gowns available for your photos at Grad Fest. However, if you wish to bring your own gown please be sure to have it pressed or steamed as all wrinkles and folds from packing will show. We only provide Class of 2024 stoles and tassels for photos. MASTER’S STUDENTS PLEASE BRING YOUR HOOD FOR PHOTOS.
What stoles are available for photos?
We will have the royal blue Spartan stole available for photos. We only provide Class of 2024 stoles and tassels for photos. If you would like any other stole, honor cord, or medallion in your photos please be sure to bring them. Make sure they are pressed and photo ready. Stoles taken out of the packages at the bookstore will have the folded creases which will show in your photos.
What hoods are available for photos?
We do not supply graduate hoods for photos. If you are a graduate student and would like your designated hood for your photos, please be sure to bring your hood to your reservation. Make sure it is pressed and photo ready. Hoods taken out of the package will have the folded creases which will show in your photos.
What tassels are available for photos?
We will have the blue and gold souvenir tassel available for photos. If you wish to have your designated color tassel please be sure to bring it with you to your reservation. We only provide Class of 2024 stoles and tassels for photos.
Are photo sessions offered for masters and doctorate degree candidates?
Absolutely, however you will need to bring your masters or doctorate regalia to your session. Please remember to steam or have your gown pressed and photo ready. Wrinkles and creases from regalia out of the package will be visible in the photos if the regalia has not been steamed or pressed.
WILL MY PHOTOS BE RETOUCHED?
Retouching is provided upon request. The cost of retouching is dependent on the complexity of what you would like retouched. When you receive your gallery of proofs, you will be able to add retouching to your shopping cart.
WHAT CAN AND CAN’T BE RETOUCHED?
We offer face shine removal, stray hair removal, blemish/pimple removal, teeth and eye whitening, facial wrinkle softening, background enhancement, and clothing wrinkle removal.
Unfortunately, modern technology does not yet grant us the ability to convincingly change your outfit or the people in your photograph.
Will my t-shirt show under the gown?
Yes, if you are wearing a t-shirt or sweatshirt under the gown, it will show. You’ve earned the privilege to shine in that graduation gown, so avoid wearing just a t-shirt under it.
Here are our recommendations on how to look good for your pictures.
i paid for additional poses, do I get those photos for free?
All print and digital download orders must be purchased separately. When you pay for additional poses, you are paying a sitting fee that is unrelated to your print and digital download order.
HOW WILL I RECEIVE MY PHOTOS?
Your photo proof gallery will be sent to the email address that you provide upon reservation.
WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY PHOTOS?
You will receive your photo gallery approximately four weeks from your grad portrait session.
CAN i be PHOTOGRAPhed WITH MY FAMILY MEMBERS AND/OR FRIENDS?
You may bring as many family members as you'd like to take photos with but you may only be photographed with 2 people at a time. The backdrop size only accommodates 3 people at a time.
CAN MY GRADUATING FRIEND JOIN ME IN MY PHOTOS?
Yes, they can take photos with you, but if they want to take their own individual photos they must book their own Session.
CAN I BRING MY PET TO THE PHOTO SESSION?
Yes! Pets are more than welcome. In fact, we are happy to photograph you with your pet (given they want to pose with you).
WHAT IF WANT ADDITIONAL PHOTOS?
You may add additional poses here. If you want a fully customized portrait session, you may book a full Icon Session with us here.
HOW CAN I REACH YOU?
You can email us at support@bestgradphoto.com, or call at (800) 284 7235.
Please ensure that the answer to your question is not already above on this informational page. Thank you.