💛 Disclosure: This article is published by Shoott, a graduation photography service operating in Chicago and one of the five options reviewed here. All competitor information was sourced from each photographer's official website and independent review platforms like TripAdvisor, Google Reviews, Trustpilot, and BBB.

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You only get to graduate once and you deserve photos that do it justice, which is exactly why we put this guide together. We compared our own free graduation sessions (that's us!) alongside Chicago's best local pros and on-demand platforms, with real pricing, real reviews, and the honest trade-offs for each one.

Time to find the right photographer for your big day!

TL;DR

• You can book a free graduation photo session in Chicago with Shoott and see all 40+ photos at home before spending a dollar. Individual photos start at $25.

• Our photographer guides your posing the whole time, your gallery arrives in 3-5 business days, and you bring up to 15 people at no extra cost.

• This guide also reviews Snappr ($89+), Eliana Melmed ($700+), Kristen Hazelton (pricing by inquiry), and Studio Cath. ($499+) with verified pros, cons, and real client reviews.

Where to Find the Best Free Graduation Photographers in Chicago?

You can find graduation photography in Chicago at Shoott, where your 30-minute session is free and you only pay for photos you love afterward, along with Snappr, Eliana Melmed Photography, Kristen Hazelton Photography, and Studio Cath. Photography.

💛 Gentle reminder: Pricing can change over time, so we recommend checking each photographer's official website for the latest rates before you book. Packages evolve, and custom sessions or specific requests may need a direct conversation with the photographer to get an accurate quote.

Shoott

Best for: Graduates who want professional outdoor photos to celebrate their achievement without paying upfront.

Shoott offers free 30-minute graduation photo sessions across Chicago, and you get to browse your full gallery of 40+ professionally edited photos before spending a single dollar. 

If you find shots that make you feel as proud as the moment you walked across that stage, individual photos start at just $25 each (and if nothing speaks to you, you walk away at zero cost, zero awkwardness).

Truly Free Option

Shoott

Best for: Graduates who want to try a professional session before committing to a purchase.

Shoott offers 30-minute outdoor graduation photo sessions across Chicago with no upfront booking cost. After the session, you receive a gallery of 40+ lightly edited images and can choose whether to purchase any.

Your Shoott Experience

Shoott’s process is designed to be low-commitment and straightforward, with most decisions happening after you’ve seen your photos.

• You book a 30 minute time slot at a preset outdoor location in Chicago

• A photographer guides you through posing and location changes during the session

• Your gallery is delivered within a few business days

• You review all 40+ images at home before deciding what to purchase

Pricing

Shoott uses a pay-after model rather than requiring an upfront session fee.

• $0 to book a standard 30-minute session

• $25 per photo

• $199 for 10 photos

• $299 for a full gallery (40+ images)

Custom sessions are available if you want a specific time or location:

• Starting at $350 for 30 minutes with photos included

How Shoott Compares to Other Options

• Shoott allows you to view your full gallery before purchasing, while most photographers require payment upfront

• Delivery is typically within a few days with light editing, compared to longer turnaround times for heavily retouched galleries

• Sessions take place at preset locations unless you book a custom session, whereas some photographers travel to any location by default

Pros

• No upfront cost to book a session

• You get 40+ photos to choose from; and if you don’t like any of them, you don’t have to buy

• Fast turnaround time (typically 3–5 business days)

• 4.9 star rated across 2800+ Google reviews

Cons

• Free sessions are limited to preset locations

• No pre-session styling consultation included 

Affordable Chicago Graduation Photography Services

Snappr

Best for: Graduates who want to browse photographer profiles and book on-demand, especially if your timeline is tight.

Source: Snappr

Snappr is an on-demand photography marketplace that matches you with pre-vetted graduation photographers in Chicago. You can view sample photos and photographer profiles before picking a photographer, and if your ceremony is coming up fast, they can send a specialist to your location in just 2 hours or less.

Your Snappr Experience

Snappr keeps the process simple from start to finish, with most of the work happening on their platform before you ever meet your photographer.

• You get your edited, color-corrected photos back within two days of your shoot

• Every photo you buy is yours to post, print, and share wherever you want

• Your photographer follows you across campus to capture different backdrops

Pricing

Snappr lists graduation photographers in Chicago starting from $89, and the final price depends on your session length and the photographer you choose. Their detailed rates show up once you enter your date, time, and location into the booking flow.

You can change or reschedule your booking as long as you contact Snappr at least 24 hours before your session.

How Snappr Compares to Shoott

• Snappr can get a photographer to you in 2 hours and delivers your gallery in 2 days, and Shoott's free session gives you 40+ photos to browse at home before you pay for anything

• With Snappr you browse photographer profiles and pick yours before booking, and with Shoott's free sessions your photographer is matched based on availability (custom sessions let you request a specific photographer)

• Snappr starts at $89 upfront for 3 photos, and Shoott's session is free with photos starting at $25 each afterward

Pros

• "communicated well...took lovely pictures with great ideas"  Trustpilot

• "arrived at exactly the time expected...photos were great" Trustpilot

• "She was prompt and efficient...made it so easy"  Trustpilot

Cons

• "photographer never showed up...I paid $184.21" - BBB 

• "no longer make the appointment...gift cards...non-refundable" - BBB 

• "arrived late...delivered only a small portion of the images" - BBB 

Top-Rated Chicago Graduation Photographers

Eliana Melmed Photography

Best for: Graduates who want natural, personality-driven photos with hands-on creative direction.

Source: Eliana Melmed

Eliana Melmed is a Chicago photographer who builds her graduation sessions around more prompts as opposed to poses so you feel comfortable in front of the camera from the very beginning. She includes an outfit and styling consultation before your shoot, and your retouched, high-res gallery arrives within 3-4 weeks.

Your Eliana Melmed Photography Experience

Eliana keeps graduation sessions easygoing, with creative direction that brings your personality into every frame instead of making you hold poses you'd never stand in on your own.

Experience bullets:

• You walk through gentle prompts instead of stiff poses the whole session

• She walks you through an outfit and styling consultation before you ever show up 

• You open your gallery and every one of your 30+ edited photos is yours to keep

Pricing

• $700 for individuals gets you 30+ edited images with full printing rights

• $750 for groups with discounts available for large groups

• Your full resolution online gallery arrives within 4 weeks of your session

How Eliana Melmed Photography Compares to Shoott

• Eliana includes an outfit and styling consultation before your session, and Shoott's photographer guides your posing and styling on the day of your session

• Eliana delivers 30+ fully retouched photos in about 4 weeks, and Shoott delivers 40+ lightly edited photos in 3-5 business days, so the trade-off is heavier editing with a longer wait versus lighter editing with faster delivery

• Eliana's sessions start at $700 with a retainer to lock your date, and Shoott's free session requires $0 to book with no retainer at any point

Pros

• She uses prompts over poses so every photo shows your real personality

• You walk away with full printing rights and image ownership on every photo

• She includes an outfit and styling consultation before you even show up

Cons

• You'll wait up to four weeks after your session to see your edited photos 

• You pay a retainer to lock your date but the amount isn't listed anywhere 

• You're paying $700 but her site doesn't say how long your session lasts

Kristen Hazelton Photography

Best for: Graduates who want a curated, guided experience with pre-session styling support built in from the start

Source: Kristen Hazelton

Kristen Hazelton is an Oak Park-based photographer named to the Top 100 Senior Photographers in the United States by Senior Inspire three years running and published in over 14 senior photography magazines. 

Her graduation sessions are built around a full pre-shoot experience: a detailed style guide, a wardrobe consultation, and trusted hair and makeup referrals so you walk into your session already knowing you'll look exactly how you want to look.

Your Kristen Hazelton Photography Experience

Kristen builds your graduation session around feeling ready before you even get there, with pre-shoot support that covers wardrobe, styling, and hair and makeup so your session day is all fun and zero stress.

• You get her comprehensive style guide so every outfit works with your location

• A week before your shoot she walks through every outfit with you personally 

• Three weeks after your session you watch her design your prints in real time

Pricing

Kristen doesn't list her graduation session pricing on her website. To see her full pricing guide and FAQ, you fill out a one-minute form on her site and she'll get back to you within a couple of days.

How Kristen Hazelton Photography Compares to Shoott

• Kristen gives you a full styling experience with a style guide, wardrobe consultation, and hair and makeup referrals before your session, and Shoott's photographer handles all posing guidance and creative direction on the day.

• Kristen presents your photos at an in-person ordering session, and Shoott sends your full gallery to your inbox so you browse at home on your own time.

• Kristen shares pricing after you fill out an inquiry form, and every Shoott price is posted on our website before you book.

Pros

• "She made me feel comfortable and made taking pictures seem less awkward and fun" 

• "She made the entire process effortless end to end and was super responsive"

• "She really took the time to get to know me and what I wanted for my photos"

Source: Google Review

Cons

• You won't browse photos at home, they're shown at an in-person ordering session

• You'll wait up to three weeks to see photos, Shoott delivers yours in 3-5 days

• You won't know product prices until the ordering session, Shoott starts at $25

Studio Cath. Photography

Best for: Graduates who want bright, personality-first photos at a location they choose.

Source: Studio Cath

Cath is a Chicago photographer trained at the Photo Academy in Amsterdam who has been photographing Chicago families for almost a decade. 

She shoots graduation sessions for everyone from 8th graders to master's graduates and will meet you anywhere in Chicago or the Chicago suburbs to capture what she calls gorgeous, personality-packed photos that show who you are on this milestone day.

Your Studio Cath. Photography Experience

You don't need to arrive with a plan. Bring all your fun ideas or let Cath help you dream up the perfect photo session from start to finish, and the rest unfolds from there.

• You show up with ideas for your shoot and Cath runs with every one of them

• You pick the spot, your campus or a downtown skyline, and she meets you there

• You hop between multiple spots within walking distance for real gallery variety

• Before your session you get a styling e-magazine so you show up feeling ready

• Your edited photos land in a private gallery fast enough for your grad party

Pricing

Cath posts all her graduation pricing right on her website, so you know exactly what you're paying before you reach out.

• You get 35 edited digital images at one Chicago location for $499 total

• You want two locations, your campus and downtown? That's $650 for 45-50 images

• Graduating with friends? Groups of two or more start at $550 for one location

• If you just want a quick session, a mini is $299 for 10 edited digitals

• Every package comes with a print release so you own your graduation photos

How Studio Cath. Photography Compares to Shoott

• Cath meets you at any Chicago location including campuses like DePaul and Loyola, and Shoott's free sessions run at beautiful outdoor spots across Chicago with custom sessions available at any location you choose

• Cath's base package is $499 for 35 edited images, and Shoott's free session gives you 40+ edited photos with no upfront cost

• Cath sends a styling e-magazine before your session, and Shoott's photographer handles all posing and direction on the day

Pros

• "She has such a warm and easy going personality, she made us feel relaxed"

• "She gave really good and precise directions, we felt really comfortable"

• "She was extremely professional, affordable, and great with communication" 

Source: Google Review

Cons

• You pay $499 before seeing a single photo, Shoott shows you 40+ for $0 first

• You don't know exactly when your gallery arrives, Shoott delivers in 3-5 days

• You get 35 images for $499, Shoott's free session gives you 40+ photos

Which Chicago Graduation Photographer Is Right for You?

The right photographer depends on what matters most to you on graduation day, whether that's seeing your photos before you pay, getting a fully styled experience, or booking someone fast because your ceremony is next week. 

Every option on this list is a real one, and here's how to match yours to the way you want this milestone captured.

Choose Shoott's Free Sessions If...

You want to see exactly how your graduation photos turned out before you spend a single dollar on them. Your free 30-minute session includes posing guidance, up to 15 people, and a full gallery of 40+ photos to browse at home. You only pay for the ones you love, starting at $25 each.

Choose Shoott's Custom Sessions If...

You want your graduation photos taken at a specific Chicago location on a guaranteed date and time, like your actual campus the morning after commencement. Custom sessions start at $350 and give you the same top 2-5% photographers and posing guidance as the free session, with full control over the when and where.

Choose Snappr If...

You need a graduation photographer in Chicago fast, maybe even within hours, and browsing photographer profiles before you book matters to you. Snappr lists graduation photographers starting from $89, and they can send someone to your location in just 2 hours or less if your timeline is tight. Your edited gallery arrives within two days, which is the fastest turnaround on this list.

Choose Eliana Melmed Photography If...

You want a graduation session built around creative direction and personal styling, with an outfit and styling consultation before your shoot day so you know exactly what to wear. Eliana's sessions start at $700 for individuals and include 30+ edited images with full printing rights, and she uses prompts instead of poses to keep everything natural.

Choose Kristen Hazelton Photography If…

You want an end-to-end styled graduation experience where every detail is planned before you ever step in front of the camera. Kristen sends you a comprehensive style guide, sits down with you for a wardrobe consultation a week before, and shares trusted hair and makeup artist recommendations. Her pricing is shared after you fill out a one-minute form on her site.

Choose Studio Cath. Photography If…

You want a Chicago graduation photographer who posts every price on her website and has a portfolio full of shoots at campuses like DePaul, Loyola, and UChicago. Cath's sessions start at $499 for 35 edited images at one location, with a $299 mini session available if you want something shorter. She'll meet you anywhere in Chicago or the suburbs and sends a styling e-magazine before your session so you show up ready.

Book Your Free Chicago Graduation Session Now

Graduation photos are one of those things you'll be glad you have ten years from now, and every option on this list can get you there. If you want to see how yours turned out before you spend anything at all, we made that easy.

We give you a free 30-minute session with a photographer who guides your posing from start to finish, and your gallery of 40+ edited photos arrives in your inbox within days. You only pay for the photos you want to keep, starting at $25 each.

Book your free graduation session in Chicago and browse our Chicago photographer team to see who you could be working with. If you need a guaranteed date and location, custom graduation sessions start at $350.

FAQs

How much do graduation photographers charge in Chicago?

Chicago graduation photographers typically range from $89 to $700+, depending on the photographer and what's included. You can compare all five options with pricing in our table above. With Shoott, your 30-minute session is free, and photos start at $25 each.

Can I really get free graduation photos in Chicago?

Yes, the session itself is completely free. You book a 30-minute session, get 40+ edited photos in your inbox, and only pay for the ones you want to keep. If nothing impresses you, you walk away having spent $0.

What should I wear to my graduation photo session?

Wear the clothes that make you feel your best. Beyond your cap and gown, pick an outfit underneath that you'd like to be photographed in, whether that's formalwear, something casual, or an outfit that doubles as a LinkedIn headshot.

We recommend bringing light outfit changes like layered tops, jackets, scarves, or jewelry so you can get some variety in your gallery, and avoiding clothes that are overly stiff or tight-fitting so you can actually move and breathe during your session. Bonus: breathable fabrics and an extra pair of flats go a long way when you're posing outdoors in Chicago.

What are the best locations for graduation photos in Chicago?

Our free sessions run at locations like Downtown Lakefront, Montrose Beach, Downtown Riverwalk, and Lincoln Park. You can browse available dates and spots on our Chicago booking page. If your heart is set on your campus or a specific spot, custom sessions let you pick any location.

How far in advance should I book a graduation photographer?

Sessions are bookable up to 90 days in advance, and graduation season dates fill fast, so the earlier you book the better. If you miss the free session calendar, custom sessions let you pick a specific date and time.

How many edited photos will I receive?

Shoott's free session gives you 40+ lightly edited photos, and custom sessions go up to 80+. For the other photographers on this list, you can compare photo counts in each competitor's section above.

Can I bring family or friends to my graduation shoot?

Absolutely. Bring friends, family, pets, or anyone else that makes you happy, up to 15 people, at no extra charge. Our photographer will guide everyone through posing so nobody has to figure it out on their own.

What happens if it rains on my session day?

Shoott typically works rain or shine, so light rain or overcast skies won't cancel your session (and honestly, cloudy days make for gorgeous natural lighting). If the weather turns dangerous like lightning or blizzards, we'll proactively cancel out of consideration for your safety. And if you'd rather not shoot in the rain, you can reschedule with zero fees.