Bay Area graduation photography
SF State Graduation Photographer
Graduation portraits at SF State — on campus or at nearby San Francisco locations. No travel fee, clear direction, and a smooth experience from first message to final gallery.
About this location
Grad sessions at SFSU
SF State is a home campus — no travel fee, fast logistics, and the flexibility to extend the session to nearby San Francisco locations if you want more variety. Depending on your timing and outfit ideas, we can combine campus portraits with spots like Dolores Park, the waterfront, or Golden Gate Park within a single session.
No travel fee for San Francisco locations.
SF State ceremony dates vary by college — confirm your ceremony date when you inquire.
What's included
Every grad session includes
✓Professionally guided posing and direction throughout
✓Multiple on-campus location selections
✓50+ professionally edited images
✓Private online gallery with download link
✓Up to 2-week standard turnaround
✓Clear communication from inquiry to delivery
Campus locations
Where we shoot at SFSU
Administration Building
Classic campus backdrop with strong architectural lines. The steps and entrance work well for formal portraits.
Campus Library Area
Clean, modern surroundings with good ambient light. Less crowded than the main hub on most shoot days.
Lake Merced Nearby
A short walk from campus. Natural setting with water and trees — good contrast from campus architecture.
SF Extensions (Dolores Park, GGP)
If you want San Francisco in the background, we can build an itinerary that includes campus and nearby SF spots in the same session.
See all SFSUgraduation photo spots & the best time for each →
New to grad photos? The Bay Area graduation photo guide covers what to wear, posing, how to prepare, and the best campus spots before your session.
Quick reference
Starting rate
$350 / hour
Session length
1, 1.5, 2 hours
Retainer
50% non-refundable
Balance
Due on or before the session date
Turnaround
Up to 2 weeks
Delivery
Private online gallery
Response time
Within 24 hours
Recent work
Recent SFSU sessions
Timing & light
Best time for SFSU grad photos
SF State's open plazas and the Administration Building light evenly through late morning and afternoon, and the coastal marine layer often keeps the light soft all day. If we extend to spots like Dolores Park or the waterfront, late afternoon and golden hour are ideal.
Wardrobe
What to wear at SFSU
The campus's modern, neutral architecture lets bolder colors stand out, so don't be afraid of a saturated outfit. If we add San Francisco locations, bring a layer — the west side of the city runs cooler and breezier than downtown.
Common questions
SFSU grad photo FAQ
Is there a travel fee at SF State?
No — SF State is a home campus, so there's no travel fee, and we can add nearby San Francisco locations to the same session if you'd like.
Can we combine campus photos with SF landmarks?
Yes. A popular option pairs campus portraits with spots like Dolores Park, Golden Gate Park, or the waterfront in one itinerary — just mention it when you inquire so we can plan the timing.
What are the best spots on the SF State campus?
The Administration Building, the library area, and the open plazas are the core campus backdrops, with Lake Merced a short walk away for a natural setting.
How do ceremony dates affect booking?
SF State ceremony dates vary by college, so confirm your date when you inquire and I'll help find a session time that fits around it.
Client experiences
What Bay Area grads say about working with me
Recent graduates from across the Bay Area on their session with me.
“Chris did my SJSU grad photos and I was absolutely in love with them! He is professional, knowledgeable, and knows how to make you feel comfortable in front of the camera. He guides you through the entire shoot, has a fast turnaround, and his knowledge of local Bay Area schools is helpful because he knows all the good spots to shoot at. Highly, highly recommend 😇”
“Chris exceeded my expectations, I'm so happy I booked my graduation shoot with him! Super professional, easy to work with, and the photoshoot was fun! During the session, he made me feel comfortable and gave great direction while still making everything feel natural. My photos turned out beautiful, I'll definitely be cherishing them!”
Plan your session
Everything for your SFSU grad shoot
From the journal
Recent SFSU sessions
More Bay Area campuses
Other campuses I shoot
Ready to book your SFSU grad session?
Send the date, campus, and headcount. I’ll reply within 24 hours with availability and next steps.