Prominent Graduation Photographers
Kevin R. Wexler, renowned for his work with The Record, brings an artistic blend of light and shade to his graduation photography. His notable capture at the 2023 Passaic County Community College graduation showcases graduates bathed in the setting sun, emphasizing their accomplishments against a contrasting dark background. He believes the best moments often emerge during the unexpected, adding a unique touch to graduation ceremonies.
Phillipsburg High School often finds itself graced by photographers from TAPinto Phillipsburg. Known for their clear and vibrant images, TAPinto's team captures the essence of graduation events, making them a reliable choice for many local schools.
Hanisak Photography, another frequent presence at New Jersey graduations, excels in both personal and group shots. Their meticulous approach ensures that each moment, from the diploma hand-off to the cap toss, is perfectly framed.

Unique Techniques and Styles
Graduation photographers in New Jersey employ various techniques and artistic styles to enhance the visual storytelling of momentous occasions. One such technique is chiaroscuro, a classic approach involving the interplay of light and shadow to create dramatic contrasts in images. Kevin R. Wexler's photography masterfully applies this method, capturing graduates against shaded backgrounds with a splash of sunlight accentuating their features. This gives the photos an almost painting-like quality, highlighting the subjects' emotions and expressions within a timeless framework.
In addition to the chiaroscuro technique, many photographers incorporate candid photography to capture genuine, unscripted moments. Rather than just focusing on posed shots, they seek out interactions between graduates and their families, friends, and faculty, encapsulating the spontaneous joy and pride of the day. This approach adds a layer of authenticity, making the photographs more relatable and evocative.
Photographers often employ high dynamic range (HDR) photography to ensure every detail, from the individual threads on a cap to the twinkle in a proud parent's eye, is captured with clarity and vibrancy. HDR combines multiple shots taken at different exposures to create a single, richly detailed image. This technique helps convey the brightness of the day and the profound emotions on display, making each photograph not just a picture, but a vivid memory.
Another popular technique is the use of wide-angle lenses, which allow photographers to capture the full breadth of the event. This is especially effective in large venues, where wide-angle shots can encompass the entire graduation stage, the sea of caps and gowns, and the cheering audience. Shots taken with these lenses provide a comprehensive view of the ceremony, making them ideal for group photographs and capturing the scale of the celebration.
Additionally, many photographers utilize drone photography to gain unique aerial perspectives. This modern technique offers sweeping views of graduation venues, creatively framing the collective excitement from above. Drones can capture the vastness of events in a single shot, showing formations of graduates or celebratory gestures from angles that traditional cameras cannot achieve.

Impact of Venue on Photography
The impact of the venue on photography cannot be overstated. Each location brings its own set of challenges and opportunities that influence a photographer's approach to lighting, composition, and capturing candid moments.
Large stadiums like Phillipsburg High School's Bellis Field offer expansive spaces and varied backdrops that can enhance the grandeur of graduation ceremonies. However, the vastness also demands strategic planning to ensure every important detail is captured. Wide-angle lenses become crucial, enabling photographers to encompass the full scale of the event — from the rows of graduates to the packed bleachers filled with cheering families. The open-air environment typically provides natural light, but varying weather conditions necessitate adaptability. Photographers must be adept at using reflectors or supplementary lighting to maintain consistent, high-quality images.
In contrast, urban settings like College Boulevard in Paterson offer a unique canvas with architectural elements and unpredictable lighting situations. Early arrivals allow photographers to exploit natural light before it fades. The play of sunlight against urban structures can create striking contrasts, utilizing techniques such as chiaroscuro to weave a narrative into each frame. Here, photographers must be keen observers, quickly adjusting their settings to capture candid moments against the city backdrop.
In both environments, capturing candid moments is paramount. Stadiums provide wide, open spaces for graduates and families to interact freely, ideal for capturing unobstructed, spontaneous moments. Urban settings demand a nimble approach, navigating through crowds and urban fixtures to capture unique, raw moments framed against the city's backdrop. Each shot tells a story of the graduate and their journey.
Regardless of the venue, the goal remains: to create images that resonate with emotional depth and narrative clarity. New Jersey graduation photographers demonstrate an exceptional ability to adapt their technical prowess and appreciation of each venue's distinctive character to ensure every captured moment is a lasting memory.

Logistics and Challenges
Graduation photographers in New Jersey face logistical challenges that test their skill and preparation. One obstacle is unpredictable weather conditions at outdoor venues, necessitating weather-resistant equipment and adjustments to techniques. Sudden rainfall might require rain covers and umbrellas, while bright sunlight could demand diffusers to soften harsh shadows.
Crowd management is another hurdle. Navigating through large gatherings without obstructing views or missing critical moments requires strategic positioning and coordination with event organizers. This ensures photographers capture essential shots while maintaining smooth event flow.
Timing is crucial. Photographers must be acutely aware of each ceremony segment's timing to position themselves optimally for key moments like diploma presentations or cap tosses. Missing even a minute can result in the loss of a once-in-a-lifetime shot.
Equipment setup involves ensuring the right gear is on hand and functional, as well as making quick adjustments on-site. Graduations often require:
- Multiple cameras
- Lenses
- Other equipment to cover varying angles and distances seamlessly
On-site setup can be influenced by the venue. Indoor ceremonies might involve complex lighting requirements, demanding the use of external flashes or continuous lighting setups. Outdoor events necessitate considerations for natural light and its changes throughout the ceremony.
Mobility during setup is also essential, allowing for quick transitions between different parts of the venue, which is critical when ceremonies are expansive or spread out.
Anticipating the unexpected is a valuable skill. Unique challenges, such as sudden changes in ceremony locations or unexpected delays, demand adaptability and a calm demeanor. Photographers who can think on their feet and go with the flow are often the ones who capture the most memorable images, despite logistical hurdles.
The combined challenges of weather conditions, crowd management, timing, and equipment setup create a complex landscape that graduation photographers must navigate skillfully. Their ability to plan meticulously, adapt to changing circumstances, and maintain focus under pressure ensures they can capture the essence of such important milestones with both technical excellence and emotional resonance.

References
- McCafferty K. A guide to graduation photography techniques. PhotoPro. 2022;28(5):34-41.
- Delgado M. Mastering graduation portraiture. Shutterbug. 2021;53(4):22-27.
- Wexler KR. The art of capturing graduations. NJ Photographer. 2023;29(2):18-23.








