Spotlight your achievements with a virtual graduation photoshoot
Commemorate this milestone through creative graduation photos captured #withGalaxy
Captured with Portrait mode on Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
Get ready to toss your caps and term papers—the moment you’ve been working toward is finally here. While it might not be quite the graduation you pictured, it’s a moment that deserves to be celebrated, documented and shared. To get inspired, we got influencer and recent grad Jessica Carrie Lee (@jessicacarrielee) to show us how it’s done with Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
Requires optimal 5G network connection, available in select markets. Check with your carrier for availability and details.
Download and streaming speeds may vary based on content provider, server connection and other factors.
Captured with Portrait mode on Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
Design your own portrait backdrop
If you're planning your photoshoot at home, there are all kinds of DIY backdrop ideas you can put together using everyday household items and a bit of imagination. “I wanted to emphasize the joy of graduation despite celebrating in my little dorm room,” Jessica says.
If you have a small space to work with, try repurposing your home decor. “I used my curtains as a fabric backdrop and used my wall art to supplement my portraits,“ she says. A flattering background can even set the stage as the entrance to your virtual graduation ceremony.
If there’s too much going on in the background, hit the Blur icon on the lower right-hand corner of the viewfinder in Portrait mode. Then adjust your blur to see the effect in real time. You can also adjust the blur after you’ve taken the photo by clicking the change background effect button. “You can click on specific areas to blur after shooting, which is a feature I look for on DSLRs,” Jessica says of Galaxy S21 Ultra. “I’d never imagined a phone camera doing it in post-process.”
“I wanted to emphasize the joy of graduation despite celebrating in my little dorm room.”
- Jessica Carrie Lee
Captured with Portrait mode on Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, enhanced with built-in filter Lens Flare.
Choose an outdoor setting with significance
If you venture outside for your shoot, consider a location that reminds you of your college years. Just make sure it’s a well-lit, clean and clear space. For Jessica, that was on campus at her dorm complex and in front of a tower that wasn’t in use. “In cities like Los Angeles, it can be hard to keep cars and people from entering the shot, so shooting from an empty rooftop or tower is my go-to,” she says.
For a more panoramic view of the location, switch to the Wide Lens on your Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. It's perfect for getting the whole scene without compromising the quality of the shot.
Requires optimal 5G network connection, available in select markets. Check with your carrier for availability and details.
Download and streaming speeds may vary based on content provider, server connection and other factors.
Captured with Single Take on Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.*
Get into the spirit with props
Add a celebratory vibe to your photos by incorporating customized props like balloons and homemade confetti. They'll help keep the party going even once the shoot is over. But be sure to act fast. “Balloons shrink and pop, especially in hot temperatures like L.A.," Jessica notes. "So shoot soon after assembling them, or have extras on hand!”
You can also put food to good use. “I love to bring my favorite snack along to shoots for an easy prop to pose and interact with," Jessica adds. "For this graduation shoot, I had to go with cake!”
Captured with Single Take on Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
Single Take AI captures images and video up to 15 seconds.
Capture the excitement of the day
The trick to making your fun graduation pictures come alive is movement. Whether it’s lighting sparklers or tossing your cap to the camera, creating motion evokes energy and helps others feel like they’re with you, even when they can't be there in person. “It was really important to capture the action of celebration with flowing robes, floating confetti and cake cutting,” says Jessica.
For her, it's all about trying to catch the joy of the celebration. “A lot of my favorite shots end up being candid shots of laughter and authentic moments, because they’re natural and uplifting,” she says.
*Image simulated for illustrative purposes.
Captured with Portrait mode on Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
Get your roommate or a family member involved
The best way to remember this monumental moment is to have the people you share it with involved. To get the shot you want, set up the photo with your desired camera settings so all they have to do is click and shoot. “I captured a combination of selfies, self-timers and portraits with the help of my boyfriend, Skyler, to capture the event from all angles,” Jessica says. When you are done with the solo shoots, set your phone up on a tripod and invite them to get in the frame.
To all the great moments ahead
Memorialize your big day with pro-grade camera features on Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
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