Yesterday I was asked to represent Academy of Learning College{{1}} for the graduation ceremony for the latest HCA (Health Care Assistant) grads. Since it was known that I am also a photographer, I was “volunteered” to take the official grad photos.

I was not really comfortable with this situation for a number of reasons. First, I was not getting paid. In fact I was doing it on my own time, but I was not really too worried about it because I am not an event or portrait photographer. I have taken portraits in the past, but last summer I gave away all my lighting equipment. The only flash I had was the built in pop-up.

Again, lack of flash would not really be an issue if we could shoot outdoors. I was not able to scout the location before the day of the ceremony, so I asked someone who suggested a large tree in front of the building. This would have been great, except that the tree was in the middle of a garden, and I could just imagine the problems with women wearing high heels.

So what is the point of this article? I want to say that I was able to improvise and take some ok photos in the library inside. Yes I had to use a higher ISO than I am used to, and yes I had to edit the photos more than I would have liked, but I think the students will be happy with what they get.

Whenever you are out taking photos, don’t get caught up in what you should do, instead look at what you have and make it work.

Next year I will have to buy a flash….

[[1]]Yes I know, the name was chosen by the Department of Redundancy Department….[[1]]