• Home
  • About
  • Families
  • High school seniors
  • College Students
  • Blog
  • Contact

Gia Chong Photography - Stockton Family Photographer

Gia Chong Photography - Stockton Family Photographer

Graduation, Photo Shoot Tips, Senior Portraits
/

How to Prep for Your Graduation Photo Session | University of the Pacific | Stockton, California

Senior girl standing with cap pose idea

What’s the Vibe of Your Graduation Photo Session?

“What vibe are you going for?”  This is one of the first questions I ask moms and graduates when they book a graduation photo session with me.  Depending on the vibe, I then recommend a matching location.  I had one grad who liked the outdoors and wanted a nature feel for his grad session.  So we did Lodi Lake Park for his graduation photo shoot.  I had another graduate wanting an artsy vibe since she was a singer and artist.  We then shot at a local coffee shop.  For Sami, she wanted a classic and college feel.  The University of the Pacific ,with its brick buildings and expansive grounds, was the perfect backdrop for her graduation photo shoot.

Senior girl sitting pose idea

Senior girl walking pose idea

Senior girl standing pose idea

Cap and Gown Photos

For most graduates I’ve worked with, photos with their cap and gown are a must.  However, the issue that we run into is the availability of the cap and gown.  Sometimes, these are available just a few weeks before graduation. This makes it difficult to have a graduation photo shoot 6 weeks from graduation. Six weeks is a good time frame because it can take your photographer 1-2 weeks to edit and deliver your photos, then another 1-2 weeks if you are printing graduation announcements or grad party invites, and another 1-2 weeks for these grad announcements and invitations to get to your loved ones via mail.

What have been our solutions?  Borrowing a cap and gown from a recent grad is one of the easiest ways to solve this problem. Buying a cap and gown on Amazon is another great solution.  In Sami’s case, she did both.  Her gown is her younger brothers 8th grade graduation gown from Presentation School.  It worked out that their school colors are the same! Her mom bought a green cap with the tassel from Amazon.  These were enough to stand in for her high school cap and gown during our graduation photo session.

Senior girl standing with cap and gownpose idea

Senior girl walking pose idea

Senior girl holding her cap standing pose idea

Have Fun with Outfit Changes

You can have outfit changes when you do a graduation photo shoot with me!  You can start with dressy clothes and then change to a more casual look like jeans.  During Sami’s photo session, we had 2 outfit changes.  She wanted to show off which university she was going to for college.  We had fun section of the shoot with her Loyola Marymount University sweater.  We closed out her graduation photo session with her casual outfit of jeans, a pretty top and heels.

Senior girl standing pose idea

Senior girl seated pose idea

 

Senior girl standing pose idea

Senior girl walking pose idea

Senior girl standing pose idea

Senior girl standing pose idea

Can I do My Graduation Photo Shoot with Friends and Family?

Yes! For my college graduates, they typically want photos with their besties from college.  This creates a fun shoot and helps them if they are shy in front of the camera.  It also makes the session more affordable since they can split the session fee among them! For high school seniors, I get requests if they can have photos with a parent or the family.  If you give me enough heads up, I will set aside time for parent photos.  I am glad we got to do photos with Sami and her mom.  A mom and child photo, especially during a milestone like graduation, always gets me!

Mom and daughter walking posing idea

Mom and daughter posing idea

Mom and daughter posing idea

I hope you found this blog helpful! If you want to see more of my work, head on to Gia Chong Photography. Fill out the Contact form if you are ready to book a graduation or family session with me! If you want to read more blogs like this one, click over to Gia Chong Photography – Blog.

Pin this Post
Share this Post
0 Comments
Leave a Comment

You May Also Like...

Senior Session | Isaac Green | University of the Pacific Stockton CA

8th Grade Graduation Breakfast | Presentation School | Stockton CA

Make Your Graduation Shoot a Bestie Friend Group Session | University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA

Prepping Kids for Your Family Photo Shoot | Northern California

Leave a Reply Cancel Comment

Previous Post
Yao Family Mom and Me Shoot | Stockton, CA
Next Post
Make Your Graduation Shoot a Bestie Friend Group Session | University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA

@giachongphotography

It's #NationalCoffeeDay! If you have followed me for awhile, you know I like iced coffee drinks and the @Starbucks summer cups.  Whenever we travel, my son and husband know that I will check the local Starbucks to see if they have a unique cup I can add to my collection :)⁠
⁠
@morganpotterphoto was so game when I told her I wanted photos with 10 of my Starbucks cups.  I didn't realize how tall they are until I stacked them! ⁠
⁠
Enjoy a cup of coffee for me today, will you? :)⁠
⁠
#happynationalcoffeeday #icedcoffee #brandphoto #familyphotographer #stocktonphotographer #lodiphotographer #giachongphotography #stocktonfamilyphotographer #lodifamilyphotographer #funbrandshootidea
giachongphotography
giachongphotography
•
Follow
It's #NationalCoffeeDay! If you have followed me for awhile, you know I like iced coffee drinks and the @Starbucks summer cups. Whenever we travel, my son and husband know that I will check the local Starbucks to see if they have a unique cup I can add to my collection :)⁠ ⁠ @morganpotterphoto was so game when I told her I wanted photos with 10 of my Starbucks cups. I didn't realize how tall they are until I stacked them! ⁠ ⁠ Enjoy a cup of coffee for me today, will you? :)⁠ ⁠ #happynationalcoffeeday #icedcoffee #brandphoto #familyphotographer #stocktonphotographer #lodiphotographer #giachongphotography #stocktonfamilyphotographer #lodifamilyphotographer #funbrandshootidea
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/6
#HappyNationalSonsDay Adrian!  I thank God for giving me a son like you ❤️ Your Papa and I are proud of who you are and who you are becoming.  It has been great walking alongside you as your Mama.⁠
⁠
#boymom
#HappyNationalSonsDay Adrian!  I thank God for giving me a son like you ❤️ Your Papa and I are proud of who you are and who you are becoming.  It has been great walking alongside you as your Mama.⁠
⁠
#boymom
#HappyNationalSonsDay Adrian!  I thank God for giving me a son like you ❤️ Your Papa and I are proud of who you are and who you are becoming.  It has been great walking alongside you as your Mama.⁠
⁠
#boymom
#HappyNationalSonsDay Adrian!  I thank God for giving me a son like you ❤️ Your Papa and I are proud of who you are and who you are becoming.  It has been great walking alongside you as your Mama.⁠
⁠
#boymom
giachongphotography
giachongphotography
•
Follow
#HappyNationalSonsDay Adrian! I thank God for giving me a son like you ❤️ Your Papa and I are proud of who you are and who you are becoming. It has been great walking alongside you as your Mama.⁠ ⁠ #boymom
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/6
A special shout out to @_ana_araceli and @kara_helene for letting me capture so many milestones for your families all these years! It is wonderful walk alongside you as your families grow :) 

Thank you @ChampaignRanch for a great first photo session early this September.  You are a wonderful hidden gem in our area!  I am so excited to photograph 7 families on Oct 29th for their Vintage Truck Mini Sessions. 

Interested to join these families?  I have 2 spots left.  Message me to get details and book your spot!

#FamilyPhotography #CherishedMoments #familysession #familyphotographer #lodiphotographer #stocktoncafamilysession #familyphotoshoot #kidphotographer #lodifamilyphotoshoot #stockoncaphotographer #stocktonphotographer #modestophotographer #stocktonfamilyphotosession #lodicaphotographer #igersofstockton #giachongphotography #lodica #stockton #lodicafamilyphotosession #centralvalleycaphotographer ⁠
giachongphotography
giachongphotography
•
Follow
A special shout out to @_ana_araceli and @kara_helene for letting me capture so many milestones for your families all these years! It is wonderful walk alongside you as your families grow :) Thank you @ChampaignRanch for a great first photo session early this September. You are a wonderful hidden gem in our area! I am so excited to photograph 7 families on Oct 29th for their Vintage Truck Mini Sessions. Interested to join these families? I have 2 spots left. Message me to get details and book your spot! #FamilyPhotography #CherishedMoments #familysession #familyphotographer #lodiphotographer #stocktoncafamilysession #familyphotoshoot #kidphotographer #lodifamilyphotoshoot #stockoncaphotographer #stocktonphotographer #modestophotographer #stocktonfamilyphotosession #lodicaphotographer #igersofstockton #giachongphotography #lodica #stockton #lodicafamilyphotosession #centralvalleycaphotographer ⁠
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
3/6
Why a Red Truck theme? I noticed Red Truck Christmas photos popping up on Instagram feeds around 2019 and gaining popularity ever since. ⁠
⁠
The Vintage Truck is a great theme for us photographers to dress up and get creative with. Props like Christmas trees, sleds, snowmen, gifts are just the starting point!  It definitely lends well to family holiday cards 😊⁠
⁠
If you have holiday cards and family pictures on your to do list, message me today.  Nov 4 and 12 still have some open spots! Let me help you check it off your list 😊⁠
⁠
#FamilyPhotography #CherishedMoments #familysession #familyphotographer #lodiphotographer #stocktoncafamilysession #familyphotoshoot #kidphotographer #lodifamilyphotoshoot #stockoncaphotographer #stocktonphotographer #modestophotographer #stocktonfamilyphotosession #lodicaphotographer #igersofstockton #giachongphotography #lodica #stockton #lodicafamilyphotosession #centralvalleycaphotographer ⁠
giachongphotography
giachongphotography
•
Follow
Why a Red Truck theme? I noticed Red Truck Christmas photos popping up on Instagram feeds around 2019 and gaining popularity ever since. ⁠ ⁠ The Vintage Truck is a great theme for us photographers to dress up and get creative with. Props like Christmas trees, sleds, snowmen, gifts are just the starting point! It definitely lends well to family holiday cards 😊⁠ ⁠ If you have holiday cards and family pictures on your to do list, message me today. Nov 4 and 12 still have some open spots! Let me help you check it off your list 😊⁠ ⁠ #FamilyPhotography #CherishedMoments #familysession #familyphotographer #lodiphotographer #stocktoncafamilysession #familyphotoshoot #kidphotographer #lodifamilyphotoshoot #stockoncaphotographer #stocktonphotographer #modestophotographer #stocktonfamilyphotosession #lodicaphotographer #igersofstockton #giachongphotography #lodica #stockton #lodicafamilyphotosession #centralvalleycaphotographer ⁠
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
4/6
Yay!!! Gia Chong Photography is 3 years old today! ⁠
⁠
Thank you to my clients who trust me to produce photos that feel like them.  I really appreciate my husband JB @chongkeepops for listening to my business plans and dreams for the nth time.  Thank you to industry friends, partners and mentors such as @morganpotterphoto @donnaandmatthew @tubellephotography @itskamiaustin @heatherwannigercoaching @jbenhartley @pacificdeltagamma @pacificthetas @west12ranchstudios @goldenrranch @thelocalstudio_⁠ @square8studio 
@pacificalphaphi @fuelyourphotos @rebeccaricephotography for the support, collaborations and knowledge you have shared with me! ⁠
⁠
Here's to finishing 2023 well! ⁠

photo by @morganpotterphoto
⁠
#smallbusinessowner #businessanniversary #FamilyPhotography #gradphotographer #familysession #familyphotographer #lodiphotographer #stocktoncafamilysession #familyphotoshoot #lodifamilyphotoshoot #stockoncaphotographer #stocktonphotographer #stocktonfamilyphotosession #lodicaphotographer #igersofstockton #giachongphotography
Yay!!! Gia Chong Photography is 3 years old today! ⁠
⁠
Thank you to my clients who trust me to produce photos that feel like them.  I really appreciate my husband JB @chongkeepops for listening to my business plans and dreams for the nth time.  Thank you to industry friends, partners and mentors such as @morganpotterphoto @donnaandmatthew @tubellephotography @itskamiaustin @heatherwannigercoaching @jbenhartley @pacificdeltagamma @pacificthetas @west12ranchstudios @goldenrranch @thelocalstudio_⁠ @square8studio 
@pacificalphaphi @fuelyourphotos @rebeccaricephotography for the support, collaborations and knowledge you have shared with me! ⁠
⁠
Here's to finishing 2023 well! ⁠

photo by @morganpotterphoto
⁠
#smallbusinessowner #businessanniversary #FamilyPhotography #gradphotographer #familysession #familyphotographer #lodiphotographer #stocktoncafamilysession #familyphotoshoot #lodifamilyphotoshoot #stockoncaphotographer #stocktonphotographer #stocktonfamilyphotosession #lodicaphotographer #igersofstockton #giachongphotography
Yay!!! Gia Chong Photography is 3 years old today! ⁠
⁠
Thank you to my clients who trust me to produce photos that feel like them.  I really appreciate my husband JB @chongkeepops for listening to my business plans and dreams for the nth time.  Thank you to industry friends, partners and mentors such as @morganpotterphoto @donnaandmatthew @tubellephotography @itskamiaustin @heatherwannigercoaching @jbenhartley @pacificdeltagamma @pacificthetas @west12ranchstudios @goldenrranch @thelocalstudio_⁠ @square8studio 
@pacificalphaphi @fuelyourphotos @rebeccaricephotography for the support, collaborations and knowledge you have shared with me! ⁠
⁠
Here's to finishing 2023 well! ⁠

photo by @morganpotterphoto
⁠
#smallbusinessowner #businessanniversary #FamilyPhotography #gradphotographer #familysession #familyphotographer #lodiphotographer #stocktoncafamilysession #familyphotoshoot #lodifamilyphotoshoot #stockoncaphotographer #stocktonphotographer #stocktonfamilyphotosession #lodicaphotographer #igersofstockton #giachongphotography
Yay!!! Gia Chong Photography is 3 years old today! ⁠
⁠
Thank you to my clients who trust me to produce photos that feel like them.  I really appreciate my husband JB @chongkeepops for listening to my business plans and dreams for the nth time.  Thank you to industry friends, partners and mentors such as @morganpotterphoto @donnaandmatthew @tubellephotography @itskamiaustin @heatherwannigercoaching @jbenhartley @pacificdeltagamma @pacificthetas @west12ranchstudios @goldenrranch @thelocalstudio_⁠ @square8studio 
@pacificalphaphi @fuelyourphotos @rebeccaricephotography for the support, collaborations and knowledge you have shared with me! ⁠
⁠
Here's to finishing 2023 well! ⁠

photo by @morganpotterphoto
⁠
#smallbusinessowner #businessanniversary #FamilyPhotography #gradphotographer #familysession #familyphotographer #lodiphotographer #stocktoncafamilysession #familyphotoshoot #lodifamilyphotoshoot #stockoncaphotographer #stocktonphotographer #stocktonfamilyphotosession #lodicaphotographer #igersofstockton #giachongphotography
Yay!!! Gia Chong Photography is 3 years old today! ⁠
⁠
Thank you to my clients who trust me to produce photos that feel like them.  I really appreciate my husband JB @chongkeepops for listening to my business plans and dreams for the nth time.  Thank you to industry friends, partners and mentors such as @morganpotterphoto @donnaandmatthew @tubellephotography @itskamiaustin @heatherwannigercoaching @jbenhartley @pacificdeltagamma @pacificthetas @west12ranchstudios @goldenrranch @thelocalstudio_⁠ @square8studio 
@pacificalphaphi @fuelyourphotos @rebeccaricephotography for the support, collaborations and knowledge you have shared with me! ⁠
⁠
Here's to finishing 2023 well! ⁠

photo by @morganpotterphoto
⁠
#smallbusinessowner #businessanniversary #FamilyPhotography #gradphotographer #familysession #familyphotographer #lodiphotographer #stocktoncafamilysession #familyphotoshoot #lodifamilyphotoshoot #stockoncaphotographer #stocktonphotographer #stocktonfamilyphotosession #lodicaphotographer #igersofstockton #giachongphotography
Yay!!! Gia Chong Photography is 3 years old today! ⁠
⁠
Thank you to my clients who trust me to produce photos that feel like them.  I really appreciate my husband JB @chongkeepops for listening to my business plans and dreams for the nth time.  Thank you to industry friends, partners and mentors such as @morganpotterphoto @donnaandmatthew @tubellephotography @itskamiaustin @heatherwannigercoaching @jbenhartley @pacificdeltagamma @pacificthetas @west12ranchstudios @goldenrranch @thelocalstudio_⁠ @square8studio 
@pacificalphaphi @fuelyourphotos @rebeccaricephotography for the support, collaborations and knowledge you have shared with me! ⁠
⁠
Here's to finishing 2023 well! ⁠

photo by @morganpotterphoto
⁠
#smallbusinessowner #businessanniversary #FamilyPhotography #gradphotographer #familysession #familyphotographer #lodiphotographer #stocktoncafamilysession #familyphotoshoot #lodifamilyphotoshoot #stockoncaphotographer #stocktonphotographer #stocktonfamilyphotosession #lodicaphotographer #igersofstockton #giachongphotography
giachongphotography
giachongphotography
•
Follow
Yay!!! Gia Chong Photography is 3 years old today! ⁠ ⁠ Thank you to my clients who trust me to produce photos that feel like them. I really appreciate my husband JB @chongkeepops for listening to my business plans and dreams for the nth time. Thank you to industry friends, partners and mentors such as @morganpotterphoto @donnaandmatthew @tubellephotography @itskamiaustin @heatherwannigercoaching @jbenhartley @pacificdeltagamma @pacificthetas @west12ranchstudios @goldenrranch @thelocalstudio_⁠ @square8studio @pacificalphaphi @fuelyourphotos @rebeccaricephotography for the support, collaborations and knowledge you have shared with me! ⁠ ⁠ Here's to finishing 2023 well! ⁠ photo by @morganpotterphoto ⁠ #smallbusinessowner #businessanniversary #FamilyPhotography #gradphotographer #familysession #familyphotographer #lodiphotographer #stocktoncafamilysession #familyphotoshoot #lodifamilyphotoshoot #stockoncaphotographer #stocktonphotographer #stocktonfamilyphotosession #lodicaphotographer #igersofstockton #giachongphotography
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
5/6
What a difference 11 months make!  She has grown so much from the last holiday shoot I did with her family in Oct 2022. See my previous post to see what I mean. Thankful to Aaron and Ana for being such great friends, models and clients through the years!  A special shout out to Champaign Ranch @champaignranch for making my first session at their property a super pleasant one :)⁠
⁠
If you are ready for Holiday vibes, message me to book your Christmas Mini Sessions :) I have 1 spot left for Champaign Ranch Mini Sessions on Oct. 29th!⁠
⁠
#FamilyPhotography #CherishedMoments #familysession #familyphotographer #lodiphotographer #stocktoncafamilysession #familyphotoshoot #kidphotographer #lodifamilyphotoshoot #stockoncaphotographer #stocktonphotographer #modestophotographer #stocktonfamilyphotosession #lodicaphotographer #igersofstockton #giachongphotography #lodica #stockton #lodicafamilyphotosession #centralvalleycaphotographer ⁠
giachongphotography
giachongphotography
•
Follow
What a difference 11 months make! She has grown so much from the last holiday shoot I did with her family in Oct 2022. See my previous post to see what I mean. Thankful to Aaron and Ana for being such great friends, models and clients through the years! A special shout out to Champaign Ranch @champaignranch for making my first session at their property a super pleasant one :)⁠ ⁠ If you are ready for Holiday vibes, message me to book your Christmas Mini Sessions :) I have 1 spot left for Champaign Ranch Mini Sessions on Oct. 29th!⁠ ⁠ #FamilyPhotography #CherishedMoments #familysession #familyphotographer #lodiphotographer #stocktoncafamilysession #familyphotoshoot #kidphotographer #lodifamilyphotoshoot #stockoncaphotographer #stocktonphotographer #modestophotographer #stocktonfamilyphotosession #lodicaphotographer #igersofstockton #giachongphotography #lodica #stockton #lodicafamilyphotosession #centralvalleycaphotographer ⁠
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
6/6
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact Me

Copyright © 2023Site Powered by Pix & Hue.