Graduation season at Tulane University: a time filled with celebration, Boot parties and joyful tears. But while this time is a period of relief, excitement and fulfillment for seniors, it also brings pressure to spend big on the perfect grad photos. 

While photos are a meaningful way to commemorate graduation, the business of Tulane grad photos puts pressure on graduates to get the perfect photos for social media. Women are expected to find the perfect white dress, the perfect shoes, the perfect custom umbrella and the perfect hair, all for flawless graduation photos to flaunt on social media.

This is not a cheap affair. 

Many students opt for private photographers, which can cost as much as $400 per person. Some photographers also charge extra for multiple locations. 

From spray tan discounts to senior sales for eyelash extensions, the hidden costs of the grad photo business can add up to thousands of dollars. Grad photos are often accompanied by accessories such as champagne bottles and custom-made umbrellas, some of which sell on Etsy for up to $120. 

Grad photos are becoming a display of wealth for Tulane graduates. 

Social media can also amplify pressure to show off the number of friends you have in your group. Grad shoots are no longer just solo photos that you send off to family. Now, it must include groups of friends and multiple locations. Photoshoots suddenly become a popularity contest for Instagram instead of marking a milestone. This can create an exclusive environment for students who may not be able to afford an elaborate photoshoot or don’t have a large friend group to take photos with. 

Graduation photos have become an industry built on selling a performative vision of beautiful friend groups and polished aesthetics. While some students may enjoy the aspects of dressing up and taking photos with their best friends, that doesn’t mean that all students must feel the pressure to celebrate the same way. 

Students can still normalize authentic small celebrations through simple student portraits, or no special photos at all. At the end of the day, students worked hard for their degrees, not their Instagram posts.