Graduation season at local schools means Tallahassee photographers in high demand

Alas, the end of the tunnel nears for the Class of 2024.

In Tallahassee, a city home to three higher education institutions, a culture surrounding celebratory traditions has been cultivated in the months leading to graduation. Students use professional photos to summarize the last four years of their lives in a series of images, with help from the city’s talented pool of photographers.

From Florida State University’s Westcott Fountain to Florida A&M University’s Eternal Flame, select locations across this college town have become cultural symbols for the accomplishments of students who earn their higher education degrees here.

While campus locations are limited, every graduate seeks originality. Everything from the way their hair flows in the wind, flawless makeup and school-spirit-inspired outfits must be planned to perfection to ensure their pictures stand out amongst the crowd.

Some, like Taylor Brown, a soon-to-be Florida State University graduate, began preparations as early as November for a photoshoot with local photographer, Makenzie Geiger, in the beginning of April.

“A few of my friends, who graduated before me, were telling me to make sure I plan ahead, because a lot of the photographers get booked super far out and very quickly, “ Brown said. The 21-year-old Jacksonville native will earn her Bachelor of Science degree in pre-med with a focus in neuroscience in May.

The selection process can become fierce, deciding which photographer will be able to best execute their creative vision like none other. And, with sessions ranging from $60 to $1,000, the choice is critical.

An Instagram post invited users to tag the best graduation photographers in the area. Here is a look at four creatives selected:

KENZIE G PHOTOGRAPHY

A Tallahassee native, Makenzie Geiger’s photography journey began in eighth grade when her parents bought her first camera, a Canon Rebel T3, for Christmas. From there, she began her online portfolio across social media platforms like Instagram and FaceBook, capturing special moments of life.

“Once I changed my name to Kenzie G Photography during my freshman year of high school, I started taking my business more seriously,” said Geiger. “It’s really grown to where I’m a professional photographer within the last three years.”

After several years of lifestyle and family shoots, one day an Instagram notification popped up as a banner at the top of her screen with a direct message from a Florida State student requesting a graduation shoot, the first she’d ever done.

After four years of experimenting with different lighting and locations, Geiger has developed her signature formula. With minimal editing and by shooting only in the mornings or after 4 p.m., Geiger creates the natural look her clients seek.

“I decided I’m never going to sacrifice quality for convenience,” Geiger said. “I did my research and talked to other photographers. Really, sunrise and sunset are best. The sunset is more of like a golden hour that lasts an hour and a half before the sun sets, it’s the prime time. Everyone loves taking photos then.”

Kenzie G Photography has a graduation package priced at $250. For booking information, visit https://www.kenziegphotography.com/investment.

STRETCH LIFE VISUALS

As a well-established photographer in the area, Nicholas Jonas, more popularly known as Stretch Life Visuals, is equipped to handle the 30 to 50 photoshoots a week he schedules during prime pre-graduation months.

“This March, I want to say I had eight people, so I got them out the way,” Jonas said. “But April is really when things pick up. So, two weeks before April comes, I look at my registry list to see what everybody put in their forms. I’ll look at how many smoke bombs and champagne bottles I need to get, so I can have all of that stacked up and ready to go.”

His journey to photography began years ago, when he had aspirations to be a YouTube creator while attending North Florida Community College, now North Florida College, in his hometown of Madison. When he transferred to FAMU, Jonas became known for his YouTube channel and coined as “the guy with the camera.” One day while editing footage in the library, Jonas met another cameraman, who explained to him the business of photography.

Today, he is one of the most requested graduation photographers and an inspiration for a new class of photographers coming up behind him.

“I also have a studio here in Tallahassee,” Jonas said. “So the graduation stuff helped with the studio. Plus, people that graduate don’t always leave Tallahassee right away, and still have birthdays and other things. So outside of grad season I’m doing studio work and video work here and there. But nowadays I make enough from graduation to really not have to shoot a lot until the next graduation season.”

Stretch Life Visuals offers graduation packages ranging from $350 to $1,000. Visit https://bookwithstretch.as.me/schedule.php?notembedded=1.

NELLYY NAILED ITT

Cornell Wright, who got involved with professional photography about a year ago, said he's watched a few of Jonas's Instagram tutorials, as he's been working to refine his craft. Before studying business administration at Florida A&M University, Wright was just a kid from Jacksonville with a curiosity for the art of photography.

For his 18th birthday, Wright was eager to post the professional pictures he had taken a few weeks prior in his hometown. Unfortunately, he didn’t receive the edited photos from his photographer in time to post on his actual birthdate.

“She sent me the raw photos, so I was like, 'I’m just going to edit them myself,' ” Wright said. “So, I did it. Then, I was like, 'wait, maybe I can actually do photography, because this is pretty easy.' That was the kick I needed to know that maybe I can really do this, and when I came to FAMU I gave it a try.”

With an almost $1,000 investment spent on his first camera, Wright was serious about his new endeavor and determined to refine his craft. He began gaining exposure through his on-campus shoots. Today, he is one of the go-to photographers, entrusted even by Miss FAMU – Kendall Johnson – to take pictures for moments as important as graduation.

Nellyy Nailed Itt has three tiers of photo packages, ranging from $60 to $100. For booking information, please visit https://www.nellyynaileditt.com/booking.

iVISIONEXPERIENCE

Kalle Herring is another multi-faceted creative, managing her photography business, iVISIONEXPERIENCE, while working in real estate and maintaining full-time student status at Florida A&M University.

The Live Oak native said she developed a zealous mindset for success after watching her single mother work long shifts to take care of the household. She knew that she wanted to forge her own life’s path and become a first-generation college student.

Her entrepreneurial spirit would lead her to opening iVISIONEXPERIENCE in 2022. Today, Herring said graduation shoots account for almost 50% of her bookings.

“Grad shoots embody a blend of happiness and emotion,” Herring said. “They signify a significant milestone in our clients’ lives, marking the closure of one chapter and the dawn of another. Capturing these moments allows iVISIONEXPERIENCE to be a part of something deeply meaningful and memorable for our clients.”

iVISIONEXPERIENCE has two graduation packages priced at $280 for a Mini College Grad Shoot and $370 for a Large College Grad Shoot. Visit https://ivisionexperience.as.me/schedule.php.

Democrat writer Mycah Brown can be reached at MJBrown@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Graduation season means Tallahassee photographers in high demand