What (and who) do you want to remember years from now?
Once you've reached your senior year, most students are ready to graduate- they're ready to leave campus and go out on their own. Unfortunately that also means saying goodbye to dear friends and the beautiful campus that's become home. We will help you capture both in beautiful photographs you'll take with you and look back on for years to come- whether your favorite times are hanging out in the Buttery or in the stacks, we've got you!
SENIORS
FRIEND GROUPS
GREEK LIFE & SOCIETIES
CLUBS & TEAMS
We've been working with Yale students for nearly 15 years, which means we have a lot of experience with the campus and with Yale graduation. We know the campus, the best time of day to shoot in specific locations, what areas can be blocked off, and when graduation robes generally arrive. Your photoshoot can take place in our New Haven studio or on Yale's beautiful campus. Whether you want graduation photos alone, with friends or family, something on campus, or in the studio, we've got you covered.
I've literally spent my entire life on college campuses. My father worked at universities my whole life and I married a professor who teaches Chemical Engineering at Yale. Yale has been home to me for the past 20 years. I am a fellow at Morse and currently have two kids in Hopper. Having been a part of the university community for so long means I can help you navigate the best ways to get the photographs you want. Let me know what you're looking for and we'll get started!
Hi, I'm karissa.
a yale mom & morse fellow.
“Karissa combines creativity & warmth with professionalism, planning and responsiveness. She took beautiful and artistic photos of my daughter that I will forever treasure.”
- Dana
PHOTOSHOOT
We will meet you on campus and take a walk, capturing photos in your favorite places and/or the iconic Yale spots as we go! Sessions last one hour and you are free to make wardrobe changes along the way.
Invite friends for some or all of the photo session- the more the merrier!
Add professional hair & makeup styling at our New Haven studio if you'd like us to help you get photo ready!
your
We'll meet you on Zoom to get to know you & your style- we'll go over everything from locations to wardrobe.
After your session we'll meet via Zoom so you can see the beautiful photos from your session and select the images you'd like to order (5 are included with your session fee).
RECENT SESSIONS
professional styling
Our in-house stylists are there to make this both extra special and relaxing for you! Our stylists each have more than 15 years or experience so you are in great hands. We'll meet in our New Haven studio (about 5 minutes from campus via car) and do hair & makeup before heading back to campus for your photoshoot!
make it special /
Take photographs in our beautiful studio at no charge when you add professional styling.
We'll start in the studio; your second location can be anywhere on campus or a local park.
bring friends
make it fun /
One of the most important parts of college life is the people you shared it with! Feel free to invite friends to some or all of your photoshoot. If you'd like to split the cost with your friends, just let us know and we'll make sure we get individual photos of everyone in addition to the group images!
Add additional people & the only added fee is for hair & makeup!
We'll start in the studio; your second location can be anywhere on campus or a local park.
This for you if:
Your best friends are yalies
Your best friend is a photographer
there's always someone missing in your pix
YOU never liked yale, anyway!
you suddenly need a professional headshot for job applications or linked in
It's probably for you if...
YOU aren't looking forward to graduation
not
is
The gift that keeps on giving!
Who do you need gifts for?
Prints make great gifts for parents & grandparents!
"If you are looking for a photographer, stop, pick up the phone & book now! You will be so thrilled you did!"
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pro tips for a great photoshoot
A little advice?
Consider doing your photoshoot before graduation & skip the chaos of the big day!
Pick up your cap & gown as early as possible.
Your gown will arrive wrinkled. If you don't have a steamer, use the shower steam.
Consider asking friends to do a session with you- whether it's your suitemates, your club team or your cohort!
Plan early! Everyone wants the same photos at the same time.
sign up NOW
Interested in a session?
Start Here!
If you would like to either learn more about our photo sessions or begin booking a session, please fill in the form at right. We will follow up in the next day or so! In the meantime, feel free to call us at 475.350.7727 or email hello@karissavantassel.com.
Thank you for reaching out! You should receive a response within one business day. Please call us 475.350.7727 if you don't hear from us or if you need information sooner.
Thank You!
"The session was memorable, beautiful & fun.
Karissa is not only gifted & talented but she also creates a delightful and authentic experience that shows in the photographs.
- bernadette
"Karissa makes sure you are happy & comfortable...
All while taking the most beautiful photographs. It's easy to feel comfortable because she is so much fun. You will have an absolute blast!
- olivia
"This photographer captures the light within."
I had so much fun I can't even articulate how much I enjoyed it! As a creative person myself I felt totally connected to her throughout the session. It was joyous."
- dana
client reviews
Can you help me figure out what to wear?
Absolutely! The On Campus session includes a digital style guide to walk you through different ideas, while our Signature Session includes a Zoom consultation so we can go over everything together. We don't limit outfit changes, but do recommend limiting it a bit as changing takes away from our time shooting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I include friends in my session?
Of course! Your session is your time however you want to handle it. If you want, you can schedule the session and then divide the cost among your friends. The more people we include the more efficient we need to be. For groups of 6 or more I generally recommend adding more time so we aren't rushed.
Are photos included in your packages?
The session fee includes everything associated with your session which (depending on the type of session) may include the digital style guide, a Zoom consultation, your hair & makeup stylist, access to our library of props and clothes, and the photoshoot itself. Photographs are ordered separately once you've seen the images and decided which ones you love most.
What about the weather?
Cloudy days are actually ideal for photoshoots, but rain (obviously) is not. If rain is forecast, we will cancel the photoshoots about 24 hours out (the weather in CT often changes so we don't cancel sooner). We try to leave time in our schedulefor rescheduled photoshoots, but it can get tricky close to graduation. Graduation Day deposits will be refunded in case of rain as those cannot be rescheduled.
LET'S MAKE MAGIC
We'd love to work with you. Reach out via the button below and we'll answer any questions you may have. The best time to start thinking about graduation photos is now because the closer we get to graduation, the crazier it becomes.
Click here to get started
YALE UNIVERSITY / GRADUATION 2025
