--- title: Resources for Graduation Event Professionals (3) description: Resources for school administrators responsible for their institution's commencements, grad fair, ring ceremony, or regalia distribution events. (3) --- [![GradImages Logo](https://resources.gradimages.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GI_LOGO.jpg?width=307&height=40&name=GI_LOGO.jpg "GradImages Logo")](https://resources.gradimages.com) # Resources for Graduation Event Professionals ## [3 reasons why commencement handshake photographers should be on-stage](https://resources.gradimages.com/3-reasons-why-commencement-handshake-photographers-should-be-on-stage) by [GradImages Staff](https://resources.gradimages.com/author/gradimages-staff) [![{ content.name }}](https://resources.gradimages.com/hubfs/GradImages/images/handshake-photograph-taken-from-low-elevation.jpg)](https://resources.gradimages.com/3-reasons-why-commencement-handshake-photographers-should-be-on-stage) At commencement ceremonies, there are a number of factors that go into trying to capture the best possible handshake photographs.  In an earlier article, we wrote about the appropriate distance between the graduate and photographer ([click here to read the full article](https://resources.gradimages.com/the-proper-distance-for-a-handshake-photographer-at-commencement)).  Today, we will examine whether the photographer should ideally be standing on the elevated stage with the graduate and administrator for the handshake photograph, or should be several feet lower down on the ceremony floor. [Continue Reading **](https://resources.gradimages.com/3-reasons-why-commencement-handshake-photographers-should-be-on-stage) [** 0 Comments](https://resources.gradimages.com/3-reasons-why-commencement-handshake-photographers-should-be-on-stage#comments-listing) Topics: [Best Practices](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/best-practices) [Commencement Photography](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/commencement-photography) [Commencement Preparation](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/commencement-preparation) ## [GradImages is already preparing for your next graduation](https://resources.gradimages.com/gradimages-is-already-preparing-for-your-next-graduation) by [GradImages Staff](https://resources.gradimages.com/author/gradimages-staff) [![{ content.name }}](https://resources.gradimages.com/hubfs/public-relations-photograph-13.jpg)](https://resources.gradimages.com/gradimages-is-already-preparing-for-your-next-graduation) With most schools now back in session after the summer break, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the commencement season that is now behind us, and look ahead to the 2019-2020 academic year. It was an exciting summer at GradImages, and we are very grateful for the event coordinators at our client schools who made everything happen. What we do would not be possible without your hard work! [Continue Reading **](https://resources.gradimages.com/gradimages-is-already-preparing-for-your-next-graduation) [** 0 Comments](https://resources.gradimages.com/gradimages-is-already-preparing-for-your-next-graduation#comments-listing) Topics: [Terminology](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/terminology) [Customer Choices](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/customer-choices) [Commencement Photography](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/commencement-photography) [GradImages](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/gradimages) ## [Have a staff group photograph taken before your next commencement](https://resources.gradimages.com/have-a-staff-group-photograph-taken-before-your-next-commencement) by [Carolina Summers](https://resources.gradimages.com/author/carolina-summers) [![{ content.name }}](https://resources.gradimages.com/hubfs/GradImages/images/commencement-staff-group-photograph-02.jpg)](https://resources.gradimages.com/have-a-staff-group-photograph-taken-before-your-next-commencement) As an event coordinator, you and your staff spend months preparing for commencement. You work hard to ensure everything is ready for the big day, and you rely on the dedication of your staff and volunteers to make each ceremony a success. At the end of graduation day, it is just as much of an accomplishment for those who make the graduation possible as it is for the graduates themselves. [Continue Reading **](https://resources.gradimages.com/have-a-staff-group-photograph-taken-before-your-next-commencement) [** 0 Comments](https://resources.gradimages.com/have-a-staff-group-photograph-taken-before-your-next-commencement#comments-listing) Topics: [Commencement Photography](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/commencement-photography) [Commencement Preparation](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/commencement-preparation) [GradImages](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/gradimages) [Group Photographs](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/group-photographs) [Commencement Staff](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/commencement-staff) ## [Avoid background distractions in commencement handshake photographs](https://resources.gradimages.com/avoid-background-distractions-in-commencement-handshake-photographs) by [GradImages Staff](https://resources.gradimages.com/author/gradimages-staff) [![{ content.name }}](https://resources.gradimages.com/hubfs/GradImages/images/background-distractions-thumbnail.jpg)](https://resources.gradimages.com/avoid-background-distractions-in-commencement-handshake-photographs) As a commencement coordinator, you know that stage layout at your ceremony is normally planned well in advance. In fact, at most institutions, how elements are arranged on the ceremony stage rarely changes from year to year. As such, there is more than enough time to consider one important element of stage layout that is often ignored: the background behind your graduates’ handshake photographs. [Continue Reading **](https://resources.gradimages.com/avoid-background-distractions-in-commencement-handshake-photographs) [** 0 Comments](https://resources.gradimages.com/avoid-background-distractions-in-commencement-handshake-photographs#comments-listing) Topics: [Best Practices](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/best-practices) [Commencement Photography](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/commencement-photography) [Commencement Preparation](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/commencement-preparation) ## [How the Univ. of South Florida handled selfie pictures at commencement](https://resources.gradimages.com/how-the-univ.-of-south-florida-handled-selfie-pictures-at-commencement) by [GradImages Staff](https://resources.gradimages.com/author/gradimages-staff) [![{ content.name }}](https://resources.gradimages.com/hubfs/GradImages/images/selfie-picture-at-graduation-thumb.jpg)](https://resources.gradimages.com/how-the-univ.-of-south-florida-handled-selfie-pictures-at-commencement) The University of South Florida in Tampa recently made headlines by [prohibiting graduates from taking “selfie” pictures](http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/college/usf-to-graduates-no-more-selfies/2176520) while being individually recognized on stage during commencement. Making a similar announcement was Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island. Both institutions are valued clients of GradImages, so this story certainly caught our attention. [Continue Reading **](https://resources.gradimages.com/how-the-univ.-of-south-florida-handled-selfie-pictures-at-commencement) [** 0 Comments](https://resources.gradimages.com/how-the-univ.-of-south-florida-handled-selfie-pictures-at-commencement#comments-listing) Topics: [Best Practices](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/best-practices) [Commencement Photography](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/commencement-photography) [Commencement Preparation](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/commencement-preparation) [GradImages](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/gradimages) [Etiquette](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/etiquette) ## [The proper distance for a handshake photographer at commencement](https://resources.gradimages.com/the-proper-distance-for-a-handshake-photographer-at-commencement) by [GradImages Staff](https://resources.gradimages.com/author/gradimages-staff) [![{ content.name }}](https://resources.gradimages.com/hubfs/GradImages/images/proper-distance-for-handshake-photographer.jpg)](https://resources.gradimages.com/the-proper-distance-for-a-handshake-photographer-at-commencement) [Continue Reading **](https://resources.gradimages.com/the-proper-distance-for-a-handshake-photographer-at-commencement) [** 0 Comments](https://resources.gradimages.com/the-proper-distance-for-a-handshake-photographer-at-commencement#comments-listing) Topics: [Commencement Preparation](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/commencement-preparation) [Composite Photography](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/composite-photography) ## [Why your graduates' addresses are important](https://resources.gradimages.com/why-your-graduates-addresses-are-important) by [GradImages Staff](https://resources.gradimages.com/author/gradimages-staff) [![{ content.name }}](https://resources.gradimages.com/hubfs/Graduates-Filling-Out-Address-Cards-Thumb-02.jpg)](https://resources.gradimages.com/why-your-graduates-addresses-are-important) Postal mail, email, and text message are all ways GradImages can provide graduates with access to their proofs from commencement and student portrait events. However, without the ability to acquire address information, proofs cannot be delivered. Consequently, without the ability to deliver proofs, the vast majority of graduates and their families will never see their images from these special events. [Continue Reading **](https://resources.gradimages.com/why-your-graduates-addresses-are-important) [** 0 Comments](https://resources.gradimages.com/why-your-graduates-addresses-are-important#comments-listing) Topics: [Best Practices](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/best-practices) [Commencement Photography](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/commencement-photography) [Commencement Preparation](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/commencement-preparation) [GradImages](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/gradimages) ## [An overview of commencement photography services by GradImages](https://resources.gradimages.com/an-overview-of-commencement-photography-services-by-gradimages) by [GradImages Staff](https://resources.gradimages.com/author/gradimages-staff) [![{ content.name }}](https://resources.gradimages.com/hubfs/GradImages/images/An-overview-of-commencement-photography-services-by-GradImages.jpg)](https://resources.gradimages.com/an-overview-of-commencement-photography-services-by-gradimages) Each year, thousands of schools across the United States and Canada rely on GradImages to capture memories for almost two million graduates.  We are honored to be the most trusted name in commencement photography. [Continue Reading **](https://resources.gradimages.com/an-overview-of-commencement-photography-services-by-gradimages) [** 0 Comments](https://resources.gradimages.com/an-overview-of-commencement-photography-services-by-gradimages#comments-listing) Topics: [Commencement Photography](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/commencement-photography) [GradImages](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/gradimages) ## [Considerations for two lines of graduates at commencement](https://resources.gradimages.com/considerations-for-two-lines-of-graduates-at-commencement) by [GradImages Staff](https://resources.gradimages.com/author/gradimages-staff) [![{ content.name }}](https://resources.gradimages.com/hubfs/GradImages/images/Single_Line.jpg)](https://resources.gradimages.com/considerations-for-two-lines-of-graduates-at-commencement) The majority of commencements across North America have graduates crossing the stage in only one direction, either right-to-left or left-to-right.  When commencement professionals talk about a ceremony having two lines, they are referring to a process by which graduates approach and cross the stage from two different directions simultaneously.  (The word "simultaneously" is important.) [Continue Reading **](https://resources.gradimages.com/considerations-for-two-lines-of-graduates-at-commencement) [** 0 Comments](https://resources.gradimages.com/considerations-for-two-lines-of-graduates-at-commencement#comments-listing) Topics: [Terminology](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/terminology) [Commencement Photography](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/commencement-photography) [Commencement Preparation](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/commencement-preparation) [** Previous Page](https://resources.gradimages.com/page/2) [All Posts](https://resources.gradimages.com/all) [Next Page **](https://resources.gradimages.com/page/4) Search Resource Articles ### Most Popular ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Best Practices (24)](https://resources.gradimages.com/tag/best-practices) - [Commencement Preparation (23)](https://resources.gradimages.com/tag/commencement-preparation) - [Commencement Photography (21)](https://resources.gradimages.com/tag/commencement-photography) - [GradImages (20)](https://resources.gradimages.com/tag/gradimages) - [COVID (8)](https://resources.gradimages.com/tag/covid) - [Terminology (7)](https://resources.gradimages.com/tag/terminology) - [Customer Choices (6)](https://resources.gradimages.com/tag/customer-choices) - [Technology (5)](https://resources.gradimages.com/tag/technology) - [Innovation (4)](https://resources.gradimages.com/tag/innovation) - [New & Noteworthy (4)](https://resources.gradimages.com/tag/new-noteworthy) - [Composite Photography (3)](https://resources.gradimages.com/tag/composite-photography) - [Commencement Staff (2)](https://resources.gradimages.com/tag/commencement-staff) - [Etiquette (2)](https://resources.gradimages.com/tag/etiquette) - [Grad Fair Photography (2)](https://resources.gradimages.com/tag/grad-fair-photography) - [News (2)](https://resources.gradimages.com/tag/news) - [Student Portraits (2)](https://resources.gradimages.com/tag/student-portraits) - [Group Photographs (1)](https://resources.gradimages.com/tag/group-photographs) - [Legal (1)](https://resources.gradimages.com/tag/legal) [see all](https://resources.gradimages.com/page/3#) ### Contact **GradImages** PO Box 182829 Tallahassee, FL 32318 800.261.2576 Follow Us [![facebook](https://resources.gradimages.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GradImages/images/facebook.png?width=36&height=36&name=facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/gradimages/)[![twitter](https://resources.gradimages.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GradImages/images/twitter.png?width=36&height=36&name=twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/gradimages?lang=en)[![instagram](https://resources.gradimages.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GradImages/Instagram.png?width=36&height=36&name=Instagram.png)](https://www.instagram.com/gradimages/?hl=en) ### From Our Blog # To sign up for email notifications when a new article is posted, please click the link below: [![Subscribe](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5011865/667b0983-4e55-4d5f-bf36-9da3f526a349.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5011865/667b0983-4e55-4d5f-bf36-9da3f526a349) [Privacy Policy](https://resources.gradimages.com/privacy-statement)  |  [Terms of Use](https://resources.gradimages.com/terms-of-use)  |  [Careers](http://iconicgroup.com/careers.html) © 2025 GradImages, a division of Iconic Group, Inc. 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