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Selected as "#1 Best Photography Studio in Ottawa 2023" by Best in Ottawa
Spencer Studio’s Unbelievably Helpful Tips on
What To Wear For Your Graduation Portrait
Your grad photo sittings are done in our Ottawa/Nepean photo studio and include a variety of poses with our grad cap and gown plus some casual photos if you wish.
We have the cap and gowns in both black and blue, plus about 20 “V stoles” in various school colours that you are able to use. We offer some generic colours plus official V stoles (sashes) for many or the local west end Ottawa, Nepean high schools plus Algonquin College, Carleton BA and uOttawa - University of Ottawa B.A.
Many universities will lend or rent you a hood or collar for specific to your faculty if you require an exact match, contact them.
Grad photos are typically from the waist up so don’t worry about what you are wearing from the waist down, it won’t show. Don't worry about shoes and you can wear jeans if you like. Usually the only parts that do show are your collar and cuffs.
These tips and other information will be emailed to you a couple of days before your booked appointment
Tips For Women
What To Wear For Your Grad Photos For Women
Helpful Information, Tips and Advice
The most common choice for a top is a simple long sleeve white blouse with a normal collar. The second most popular choice is a V neck, consider wearing a nice necklace, or gold chain. Some people also wear a black turtleneck. Obviously the choice is yours.
These are your portraits so feel free to wear whatever you would like. If you are not sure bring in a couple of items and try them on with the grad gown to see what looks best.
Advice on Hair: Please make sure your hair is exactly the way you want it, fuss with it as much as you like. We have a large mirror here, plus you will be shown a mirror several times during your shoot. Fixing stray hair, frizzy hair, flyaway hair in Photoshop is something that seldom works out 100% and is not included in our basic free retouching service. Bring a brush, hair spray or what ever you need with you.
Tips on Hands: Ladies hands are often included in grad photos, holding a diploma or roses. Hands add femininity and elegance. Having your nails done is important. Pay special attention to the rings and watch you plan to wear.
Makeup Information: Remember to bring along some makeup (lipstick and powder) for touch ups. Under the lights lips tend to dry, bring lipstick or lip balm.
Tip: Keep jewelry simple, conservative is always the safest choice.
Casual/Formal Poses: If you have booked that package most people bring a nice sweater or top, or a nice dress, others prefer a simple look of a white T shirt and jeans, it looks great in black and white.
I know that this "Dewy look" is a popular trend but we have been asking clients to avoid it when they come in for grad photos. Retouching small areas is simple but removing or toning down large areas of shine never looks right after.
Last but not least: remember to get a good night sleep for that fresh look.
Please don’t worry: all Spencer Studio portraits include retouching for blemishes, lines, scars, bags under the eyes, whiten teeth etc. on finished images (not proofs)
Please Avoid The "Dewy Look"
I know that this "Dewy look" is a popular trend but we have been asking clients to avoid it when they come in for professional photos. Retouching small areas is simple but removing or toning down large areas of shine seldom looks right after.
Debbie I. from Algonquin College says in her 5 Star Review
"I was very pleased with the whole process of having my grad photos done. Robin made me very comfortable and was very easy to work with. Would definitely recommend him!"
Read More Reviews Click Here
Tips For Men
What To Wear For Your Grad Photos For Men
Helpful Information, Tips and Advice
The most common choice is a long sleeve white dress shirt (with normal button cuffs) and a tie. Keep in mind the school colours when choosing your tie.
Shaving/Grooming/Facial Hair Tips: If you are thinking about getting a haircut do it a few days before your photo shoot, not the day of. If it's required make sure they trim nose hair, ear hair and eyebrows. Try to shave an hour or so before your portrait, five o'clock shadows tend to photograph darker than they appear. Note that fixing hair/facial hair is not included in our included basic facial retouching service.
Tip: Under the lights lips tend to dry, bring some lip balm.
Tip: Keep jewelry simple, conservative rings and watches is always the safest choice.
Casual/Formal Poses: If you have booked that package most men bring a suit or sports jacket, or a nice sweater or golf shirt, others prefer a simple look of a white T shirt and jeans, it looks great in black and white.
Last but not least: remember to get a good night sleep for that fresh look.
Please don’t worry: all Spencer Studio portraits include retouching for blemishes, lines, scars, bags under the eyes, whiten teeth etc. on finished images (not proofs)
Additional Info About Grad Photos at Spencer Studio Ottawa
Our Ottawa/Nepean Grad Photo Studio
We are Ottawa photographers offering Graduation Photos. Our studio is located in Nepean the west end of Ottawa Ontario, near Algonquin College. We have also been photographing and serving grads in Nepean, Kanata, Orleans, Barrhaven, Richmond, North Gower and Manotick since 1980.
Retouching is Included free on all finished images (not proofs). Typically we include some portrait retouching to whiten teeth, soften lines and wrinkles, remove blemishes or thin down the jaw line and reduce a double chin if needed. All of our finished images have been tweaked in Photoshop. Our goal is to make you look great but not overdo the retouching, we want you to look like you are having a great day without looking retouched. But of course, the choice is always yours how far we go so if you have any special concerns just let us know..
By Appointment Only
Yes we only work by appointment, most clients just use our online calendar. Find a date and time that works for you and book yourself in. Our online calendar never sleeps or gets a day off so it is always available to you.
Yes, you can also phone or email for an appointment.
24/7 Easy online convenience
Easy online booking, online viewing, and online ordering for all of our graduation portrait services.
We try to make it easy and convenient for you, so we offer several services online available to you 24/7 like online booking. After your photo session, you will be emailed a link and a password to view your proofs online. You can share your password with anyone you like or even share the gallery on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. You can take your time, select your favorite images and order your favorites online and even pay online. After we have them retouched and sized and email you when they are ready.
Payment options
You can pay by pretty well any major credit card you can imagine (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB or Discover) or Cash, Debit Card, eTransfer or PayPal. We will also accept Debit Tap, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Android Pay.
We are so grateful to our clients for their 602 "Five Star" Reviews
We are very proud of our reviews, both on Google and our Verified Customer Reviews. So many great reviews, at the last count a total of 600+ Five Star Verified Customer Reviews. People always say how much they love their photos but the other common thread is how they felt very comfortable and relaxed. This is great to hear because as you know most people get very nervous having their photo taken.
Our Awards and Honors
Spencer Studio's 40-year history makes me proud to be one of Ottawa's oldest and most trusted portrait photography studios.
With so many photographers out there it's the national and international awards, recognitions and accreditations from our peers through professional photographers associations and professional photography competitions and also the People's Choice and Viewer's Choice awards that separate us from many of the other professional photographers in Ottawa.
While I recognize that it's my lighting and posing skills that are responsible for multiple national and international professional photography awards. Clients tell me it's my "soft skills" that they appreciate; making them feel relaxed and at ease in front of the camera, producing authentic expressions and genuine smiles.
My proudest achievement is a Paul Harris Fellowship presented to me by Rotary International in recognition of my community and international service. Whether it's volunteering my photography skills to some local charities, or running portrait promotions to buy wheelchairs for the third world or funding a well in Africa I have always felt a personal and corporate responsibility to help where I can, in my small way. Here is a list of our Awards and Honors.
Ottawa Photographers, also serving Barrhaven, Richmond, Kanata, Nepean, Orleans and Manotick