Alyssa Denise Walsh

Creative Studio

Alyssa Denise Studio · Photography Services

Pre Graduation Photography

· University of Edinburgh · Heriot-Watt University · Edinburgh Napier University · Queen Margaret University ·

A little preparation allows the sitting itself to remain unhurried.

Your graduation photography is planned in advance so that, on the day of your sitting, attention can be given entirely to the photographs.

The following guidance will help you prepare your academic dress, clothing and personal details before your appointment.

I. Academic Dress

Please bring the complete academic dress you would like to be photographed wearing, including your gown, hood and any other elements appropriate to your university and degree.

Academic dress should be arranged independently in advance of your sitting.

If possible, keep gowns and hoods carefully hung or folded during transport to minimise creasing. There will be time at the beginning of the sitting to make small adjustments and ensure that your academic dress is sitting correctly before photography begins.

If you are uncertain about what academic dress you will need, please consult the guidance provided by your university or academic dress supplier.

II. What to Wear

Consider what will be visible beneath your gown as carefully as the gown itself.

Simple, well-fitting clothing generally photographs particularly well beneath academic dress. Shirts, blouses, dresses, tailoring and other formal or semi-formal clothing are all appropriate.

There is no requirement to dress in a particular style. The aim is that you feel recognisably yourself while remaining comfortable with how the photographs will appear many years from now.

Pay particular attention to collars, necklines, sleeves and footwear, as these often remain visible when academic dress is worn.

III. Hair, Make-up & Grooming

There is no requirement for professional hair or make-up.

If you do choose to have either professionally arranged, allow sufficient time before the sitting so that you do not need to rush between appointments.

For everyone, small details are worth considering beforehand: hair, facial hair, nails, jewellery and anything else that will be visible in closer portraits.

Above all, avoid making unfamiliar changes immediately before your sitting simply for the photographs. The finished portraits should still feel like you.

IV. Personal Details

You are welcome to bring a small number of objects that have genuine significance to your graduation or time at university.

These might include a thesis or dissertation, a particular book, an academic award, flowers received for graduation, or another object personally associated with your studies.

Props are never required. Where personal objects are included, they are photographed selectively and with the same restraint as the rest of the sitting.

V. Glasses & Accessories

If you normally wear glasses, there is no reason to remove them for your portraits.

Jewellery, watches and other accessories may also be worn as usual. Before the sitting, it can be helpful to consider whether there are any temporary items, such as hair ties around the wrist, that you would prefer not to appear in the finished photographs.

If you would like portraits both with and without a particular accessory, this can easily be incorporated into the sitting.

VI. Family & Guests

If your sitting includes photographs with parents, a partner, family members or friends, please let me know in advance who will be joining you.

There is no requirement for everyone to dress identically. Coordinating the general degree of formality is usually more effective than attempting to match colours or outfits precisely.

Guests who are not being photographed are also welcome where the location and nature of the sitting permit.

VII. Preparing for Edinburgh

For location sittings, comfortable footwear is strongly recommended for moving between locations. If your chosen shoes are less practical for walking, you may wish to bring a second pair and change immediately before photographs are taken.

Edinburgh’s weather can change quickly. Depending upon the forecast, a coat, umbrella or additional layer may be useful between photographs even when these will not appear in the finished images.

Location routes can be planned with accessibility and mobility requirements in mind. Please mention any requirements during the planning of your sitting so that appropriate locations can be selected.

VIII. What to Bring

On the day, please remember:

  • Your complete academic dress
  • Your chosen clothing and footwear
  • Any alternative shoes for walking between locations
  • Any personal objects agreed as part of the sitting
  • Any additional clothing or accessories you would like photographed
  • Weather-appropriate layers for location sessions
  • Water, particularly for longer sittings

You do not need to bring photographic ideas, poses or a detailed plan. Direction is provided throughout the session.

IX. Before We Meet

Following your booking, we will confirm the character of your sitting, preferred photographs and, where applicable, your Edinburgh locations.

Please use this opportunity to mention anything you particularly would, or would not, like photographed. Reference photographs may also be shared if there is a particular type of portrait you are drawn to.

By the time we meet, the practical decisions should already have been made.

All that remains is the sitting itself.

A little preparation allows the sitting itself to remain unhurried.

Your graduation photography is planned in advance so that, on the day of your sitting, attention can be given entirely to the photographs.

The following guidance will help you prepare your academic dress, clothing and personal details before your appointment.

I. Academic Dress

Please bring the complete academic dress you would like to be photographed wearing, including your gown, hood and any other elements appropriate to your university and degree.

Academic dress should be arranged independently in advance of your sitting.

If possible, keep gowns and hoods carefully hung or folded during transport to minimise creasing. There will be time at the beginning of the sitting to make small adjustments and ensure that your academic dress is sitting correctly before photography begins.

If you are uncertain about what academic dress you will need, please consult the guidance provided by your university or academic dress supplier.

II. What to Wear

Consider what will be visible beneath your gown as carefully as the gown itself.

Simple, well-fitting clothing generally photographs particularly well beneath academic dress. Shirts, blouses, dresses, tailoring and other formal or semi-formal clothing are all appropriate.

There is no requirement to dress in a particular style. The aim is that you feel recognisably yourself while remaining comfortable with how the photographs will appear many years from now.

Pay particular attention to collars, necklines, sleeves and footwear, as these often remain visible when academic dress is worn.

III. Hair, Make-up & Grooming

There is no requirement for professional hair or make-up.

If you do choose to have either professionally arranged, allow sufficient time before the sitting so that you do not need to rush between appointments.

For everyone, small details are worth considering beforehand: hair, facial hair, nails, jewellery and anything else that will be visible in closer portraits.

Above all, avoid making unfamiliar changes immediately before your sitting simply for the photographs. The finished portraits should still feel like you.

IV. Personal Details

You are welcome to bring a small number of objects that have genuine significance to your graduation or time at university.

These might include a thesis or dissertation, a particular book, an academic award, flowers received for graduation, or another object personally associated with your studies.

Props are never required. Where personal objects are included, they are photographed selectively and with the same restraint as the rest of the sitting.

V. Glasses & Accessories

If you normally wear glasses, there is no reason to remove them for your portraits.

Jewellery, watches and other accessories may also be worn as usual. Before the sitting, it can be helpful to consider whether there are any temporary items, such as hair ties around the wrist, that you would prefer not to appear in the finished photographs.

If you would like portraits both with and without a particular accessory, this can easily be incorporated into the sitting.

VI. Family & Guests

If your sitting includes photographs with parents, a partner, family members or friends, please let me know in advance who will be joining you.

There is no requirement for everyone to dress identically. Coordinating the general degree of formality is usually more effective than attempting to match colours or outfits precisely.

Guests who are not being photographed are also welcome where the location and nature of the sitting permit.

VII. Preparing for Edinburgh

For location sittings, comfortable footwear is strongly recommended for moving between locations. If your chosen shoes are less practical for walking, you may wish to bring a second pair and change immediately before photographs are taken.

Edinburgh’s weather can change quickly. Depending upon the forecast, a coat, umbrella or additional layer may be useful between photographs even when these will not appear in the finished images.

Location routes can be planned with accessibility and mobility requirements in mind. Please mention any requirements during the planning of your sitting so that appropriate locations can be selected.

VIII. What to Bring

On the day, please remember:

  • Your complete academic dress
  • Your chosen clothing and footwear
  • Any alternative shoes for walking between locations
  • Any personal objects agreed as part of the sitting
  • Any additional clothing or accessories you would like photographed
  • Weather-appropriate layers for location sessions
  • Water, particularly for longer sittings

You do not need to bring photographic ideas, poses or a detailed plan. Direction is provided throughout the session.

IX. Before We Meet

Following your booking, we will confirm the character of your sitting, preferred photographs and, where applicable, your Edinburgh locations.

Please use this opportunity to mention anything you particularly would, or would not, like photographed. Reference photographs may also be shared if there is a particular type of portrait you are drawn to.

By the time we meet, the practical decisions should already have been made.

All that remains is the sitting itself.