--- title: Resources for Graduation Event Professionals | Commencement Photography description: Commencement Photography | Resources for school administrators responsible for their institution's commencements, grad fair, ring ceremony, or regalia distribution events. --- [![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 ## [Graduation Ceremonies in COVID-19](https://resources.gradimages.com/graduation-ceremonies-in-the-time-of-covid-19) by [Michael Flanigan](https://resources.gradimages.com/author/michael-flanigan) [![{ content.name }}](https://resources.gradimages.com/hubfs/0004a.jpg)](https://resources.gradimages.com/graduation-ceremonies-in-the-time-of-covid-19) # With the proper precautions, graduations can be executed safely during these times. At GradImages, we’ve spoken with hundreds of commencement coordinators since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. While most traditional events since mid-March have been cancelled, the conversation is shifting as states begin to move through the phases of reopening.  We are hearing less about cancellations and virtual-only options and more about looking at what can be done to give students the most complete commencement experience possible while remaining safe and socially distant. The solution for every institution will differ based on a number of variables, but we would like to present a few success stories from recent ceremonies our clients have hosted. [Continue Reading **](https://resources.gradimages.com/graduation-ceremonies-in-the-time-of-covid-19) [** 0 Comments](https://resources.gradimages.com/graduation-ceremonies-in-the-time-of-covid-19#comments-listing) Topics: [Best Practices](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/best-practices) [Commencement Photography](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/commencement-photography) [Innovation](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/innovation) [COVID](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/covid) ## [COVID-19 and Commencement](https://resources.gradimages.com/covid-19-and-commencement) by [Drew Carlisle](https://resources.gradimages.com/author/drew-carlisle) [![{ content.name }}](https://resources.gradimages.com/hubfs/COVID3.jpg)](https://resources.gradimages.com/covid-19-and-commencement) (March 27, 2020) Over the course of the last several weeks, thousands of universities and colleges across the country have had the unprecedented challenge of responding to the ever changing situation with the COVID-19 pandemic.  In addition to the unsettled atmosphere in the community, students are also having to adjust to the disruption of their academic endeavors while administrators work tirelessly to provide as much continuity as possible.  Invariably, one of the topics that has been difficult to handle is what to do about commencement.  At GradImages, we have always prided ourselves on being a resource on all things commencement and have seen some amazing ideas on to how to recognize and celebrate the most important achievement of a student’s college career.  We have seen over 400,000 signatures on various petitions for the preservation of in-person commencement events.  Everyone knows commencement is important to graduates and their families and the support around maintaining these events is remarkable.  The biggest question is obviously how to delicately balance the safety of the community while preserving the significant importance of fulfilling a defining moment for the graduates.  We have sited some of the more popular responses from institutions to share with you in the hopes it may spark an idea that works for your school. [Continue Reading **](https://resources.gradimages.com/covid-19-and-commencement) [** 0 Comments](https://resources.gradimages.com/covid-19-and-commencement#comments-listing) Topics: [News](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/news) [Best Practices](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/best-practices) [Commencement Photography](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/commencement-photography) ## [Why a handshake photographer's position really matters at commencement](https://resources.gradimages.com/why-a-handshake-photographers-position-really-matters-at-commencement) by [GradImages Staff](https://resources.gradimages.com/author/gradimages-staff) [![{ content.name }}](https://resources.gradimages.com/hubfs/graduate-at-commencement-05.jpg)](https://resources.gradimages.com/why-a-handshake-photographers-position-really-matters-at-commencement) In three previous articles, we have discussed the best position for a photographer while taking handshake pictures of graduates being individually recognized on stage. [Continue Reading **](https://resources.gradimages.com/why-a-handshake-photographers-position-really-matters-at-commencement) [** 0 Comments](https://resources.gradimages.com/why-a-handshake-photographers-position-really-matters-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) ## [The best angle for a handshake photographer at commencement](https://resources.gradimages.com/the-best-angle-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-best-angle-for-a-handshake-photographer-at-commencement) What is the best angle for a photographer to stand in order to capture great handshake photographs at commencement?  Although the answer is somewhat subjective, years of purchasing data suggest one angle in particular is overwhelmingly favored by graduates and their families.  That is what we will discuss today. [Continue Reading **](https://resources.gradimages.com/the-best-angle-for-a-handshake-photographer-at-commencement) [** 0 Comments](https://resources.gradimages.com/the-best-angle-for-a-handshake-photographer-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) ## [An overview of public relations photography at commencement](https://resources.gradimages.com/an-overview-of-public-relations-photography-at-commencement) by [GradImages Staff](https://resources.gradimages.com/author/gradimages-staff) [![{ content.name }}](https://resources.gradimages.com/hubfs/GradImages/images/public-relations-photograph-03.jpg)](https://resources.gradimages.com/an-overview-of-public-relations-photography-at-commencement) Public relations (PR) photographs are candid, fun, memorable pictures taken before, during, and after a commencement ceremony. Photographers have more flexibility and artistic discretion when taking PR images than they do taking ceremony images, such as [handshake photographs](https://resources.gradimages.com/the-proper-distance-for-a-handshake-photographer-at-commencement). They enjoy exploring the creative side of their job to help capture the true spirit and emotion of graduation. [Continue Reading **](https://resources.gradimages.com/an-overview-of-public-relations-photography-at-commencement) [** 0 Comments](https://resources.gradimages.com/an-overview-of-public-relations-photography-at-commencement#comments-listing) Topics: [Terminology](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/terminology) [Commencement Photography](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/commencement-photography) [GradImages](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/gradimages) ## [A look inside GradImages' photographer training](https://resources.gradimages.com/a-look-inside-gradimages-photographer-training) by [Michael Flanigan](https://resources.gradimages.com/author/michael-flanigan) [![{ content.name }}](https://resources.gradimages.com/hubfs/GradImages/images/2017-GradImages-Photographer-Training-Map.jpg)](https://resources.gradimages.com/a-look-inside-gradimages-photographer-training) Each year GradImages hosts photographer training in over 50 cities.  This purpose of this training is to provide our photographers with hands-on recurrent instruction, discuss new policies & procedures, reinforce best-practices, and of course to share ideas. [Continue Reading **](https://resources.gradimages.com/a-look-inside-gradimages-photographer-training) [** 0 Comments](https://resources.gradimages.com/a-look-inside-gradimages-photographer-training#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) [Commencement Staff](https://resources.gradimages.com/topic/commencement-staff) ## [How GradImages' facial recognition technology works](https://resources.gradimages.com/how-gradimages-facial-recognition-technology-works) by [GradImages Staff](https://resources.gradimages.com/author/gradimages-staff) [![{ content.name }}](https://resources.gradimages.com/hubfs/GradImages/IconicID.jpg)](https://resources.gradimages.com/how-gradimages-facial-recognition-technology-works) When graduates are individually recognized on stage, we are able to determine precisely who each person is by virtue of the fact that names are announced. However, it is not easy to individually identify [public relations (PR) images](https://resources.gradimages.com/an-overview-of-public-relations-photography-at-commencement) of graduates taken before or after the ceremony. This is because photographers capture PR images "in the moment," and cannot always document each person's name before moving on to the next opportunity. The result is that these images are put into a large "gallery" with hundreds of other PR images, and graduates often need to browse through them all in order to find their own. [Continue Reading **](https://resources.gradimages.com/how-gradimages-facial-recognition-technology-works) [** 0 Comments](https://resources.gradimages.com/how-gradimages-facial-recognition-technology-works#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) ## [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) [All Posts](https://resources.gradimages.com/all) [Next Page **](https://resources.gradimages.com/tag/commencement-photography/page/2) 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/tag/commencement-photography/page/1#) ### 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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