My first graduation client was my best friend Katrina, a business major at Georgia Tech. She asked me to capture her graduation photos, and honestly, that opportunity is what launched my entire graduation photography journey.

I hadn't seriously used a camera since early high school, so I borrowed my mom's old Nikon and showed up with no idea what to expect but a lot of enthusiasm. Looking back now, after dozens of graduation sessions and eight seasons under my belt, I cringe a little at some of the things I did (and didn't know) during those early shoots.

But here's the thing: Katrina's photos still turned out wonderful. They captured real emotion, included her dog and family, and celebrated that milestone moment.

Still, if I could go back and whisper some advice to my younger, more anxious photographer self, here's what I'd say. And more importantly, here's what I make sure to tell every client now.

Still, if I could go back and whisper some advice to my younger, more anxious photographer self, here's what I'd say. And more importantly, here's what I make sure to tell every client now.

I Shot Everything in JPEG

Back then, I didn't know much about camera settings or editing, so I shot in JPEG because that's all I knew. What I didn't realize was how much this would limit my ability to edit later. The photos were what they were, with no real room to adjust exposure, fix white balance, or enhance the final results.

After that first shoot, I started borrowing my department's Canon EOS 5D, watched a few videos, and in the process of learning about the new camera found out about RAW.

What I wish I'd known: RAW files give you so much more control over the final image. It's the difference between being stuck with what came out of the camera (Which is still a good skill to have) versus being able to truly craft the vibe of the photo.

What I tell clients now: "I shoot everything in RAW, which means I have creative control over how your final photos look."

Being able to have control over how I edit my photos was a complete game changer. It meant I could save shots that might have been too dark or adjust the mood to match what we were going for.

I Didn't Check the Details (Dracula Cap)

Here's my most embarrassing early mistake: after Katrina's entire graduation shoot, we realized that in every single photo, she was wearing her graduation cap backwards. Every. Single. One.

I was mortified. Thankfully, she knew I didn't have much experience yet and it was a free shoot for a friend, so we just laughed it off. But I learned my lesson.

What I wish I'd known: The little details matter, and it's my job to catch them before we start shooting.

What I tell clients now: "I'm going to double-check your cap, tassel placement, and outfit details before we start. It's easier to fix these things up front than to realize later we missed something."

Now I check tassel side, cap positioning, and outfit details every single time. It's become such a habit that I do it automatically, and my clients appreciate knowing someone's paying attention to those details.

I Was Afraid to Take My Time

In those early sessions, I was most nervous about balancing making people comfortable while taking technically clean shots. I felt this pressure to get everything right instantly, and I was self-conscious about needing to make adjustments or try different approaches.

What I wish I'd known: It's okay to take your time. Good photos require patience, and clients actually appreciate when you care enough to get things right. You aren't 'failing' if you have to pause and think about composition or adjust the settings.

What I tell clients now: "Hold on, this light is really cool, let's try playing with it." or " Let's shake our arms out and try that again, we need to . . . " I'm not afraid to direct someone and take the time we need.

My confidence has grown so much from having done shoots all over campus and building up a repertoire of poses I've tested over the years. Now I can balance technical quality and client comfort much more easily because I'm not stressed about either one.

Rainy Day Woes. . . Go With the Flow

The weather one fall was super spotty, and I used to be terrified of shooting in anything but perfect conditions. I would preemptively raincheck sessions at the first sign of clouds, convinced that overcast skies or chance of rain would ruin the photos.

But one day with a duo photoshoot, we decided to take a gamble and shoot even though the weather looked iffy. It ended up sprinkling, and I was worried the whole session would be a bust. Instead, working with that soft overcast light and bright yellow leaves brought this wonderful glow to the photos and gave them a completely unique atmosphere with such a fun energy.

What I wish I'd known: Different weather conditions create different moods, and "imperfect" weather can actually produce some of the most beautiful, distinctive photos.

What I tell clients now: "I always offer a raincheck if the weather looks questionable, but if you're willing to work with it, different conditions can lead to some really amazing outcomes."

This experience taught me that what I thought was "bad" lighting was actually just different lighting. Now I embrace overcast days for their soft, flattering light and rainy day shoots for their moody, romantic feel.

I Was Intimidated by Manual Mode

I started out mostly using auto settings because manual mode felt overwhelming. I knew the settings existed, but I didn't truly understand how they all worked together and couldn't adjust them fast enough.

What I wish I'd known: Learning to use manual mode confidently opens up so many creative possibilities. It's worth the initial learning curve. Knowing when to switch to aperture or shutter priority is just as important.

What I tell clients now: I don't usually talk about camera settings with clients, but tit makes a difference in how quickly and confidently I work now.

Transitioning to full manual control has been huge for my growth as a photographer. Combined with buying my own camera after graduation, I now feel completely comfortable with my equipment, which lets me focus entirely on my clients instead of fumbling with settings.

I Had a Limited Bag of Tricks

My first few shoots relied heavily on basic poses I'd seen online. By my third season, I'd built up a long Pinterest board and followed other photographers whose work inspired me. That exposure helped me develop a much wider range of approaches.

What I wish I'd known: Every person is different, and the same pose can look completely different on different people. It's about finding what works for each individual.

What I tell clients now: I share a Pinterest board with every client so we can get on the same page about vision and anything specific you want to try and have a conversation about creative direction.

I've learned there are some universal poses that work really well for most people, but the main thing is catering to each person's vibe, capabilities, and comfort level. Some people love dynamic movement, others feel better in more grounded poses.

I Chatted to Fill Awkward Silences

I've always been chatty with my clients, but early on I was just talking to avoid uncomfortable quiet moments. Now I'm much more intentional about it.

What I wish I'd known: Conversation can be a tool to draw out genuine emotion and help people feel more comfortable or express themselves in front of the camera.

What I tell clients now: I still talk throughout the shoot, but now I tie our conversations into getting to know them and creating better photos. I'm also faster to spot good opportunities and snap candid moments while we're just chatting.

This shift made such a difference. Instead of just filling time, our conversations now help create the relaxed, authentic moments that make the best photos.

What Hasn't Changed (And Never Will)

Even with all this growth, the core of what I do remains the same as it was with Katrina. It's about the experience, the personality, and helping people remember this important time in their lives. Getting to be creative with the camera, connect with someone, and celebrate their achievements is still what I love most about graduation photography.

What This Means for You

If you're considering booking a graduation session, here's what I want you to know: I've learned a lot since those first few shoots, but my commitment to creating photos you'll treasure hasn't changed. I still believe the best shots happen when you're relaxed and having fun, and I still think every person deserves to see themselves at their absolute best.

The difference now is that I have the technical skills and experience to back up that commitment. I can handle whatever lighting conditions we encounter, I know how to bring out your best angles, and I'm not afraid to take the time we need to get shots you'll love.

Katrina, thanks for trusting a very green photographer with your graduation memories. You launched something I'm passionate about, and I love taking your pictures for each new milestone.