Lifestyle Graduation Portraits
by Beata Nykiel
Natural Outdoor Graduation Portraits
Celebrate your achievement with a relaxed, pre-booked outdoor portrait session at your university or another meaningful London location.
I create natural graduation portraits for individuals, friends and families using beautiful outdoor surroundings, architecture and natural light.
This independent portrait service is designed to complement the official ceremony and studio photography available through your university.
Limited sessions are available by advance booking.
Click to open WhatsApp — your enquiry is pre-filled. Just add your name, university and graduation date.
From £59
per person
Independent Outdoor Portrait Service
Lifestyle Graduation Portraits by Beata Nykiel is an independent, pre-booked outdoor photography service.
It is not affiliated with, commissioned by or endorsed by any university, graduation organiser or official photography provider.
These sessions are designed to complement official ceremony and studio photography by offering graduates additional natural-light portraits with friends and family.
A Different Graduation Experience
Complementary to your university's official photography
Official university photographers provide an important service, which may include ceremony coverage, formal studio portraits, prints and official graduation products.
Lifestyle Graduation Portraits offers something different: a relaxed outdoor portrait session focused on natural expressions, movement, friendships, family connections and meaningful university surroundings.
Graduates are welcome to use both services. An outdoor lifestyle session can complement official ceremony and studio photographs by providing a more personal and natural collection of digital images.
Choose Your Outdoor Portrait Package
Choose the outdoor portrait experience that best suits your graduation day. Each package includes the exact session length, number of edited images and benefits listed below.
These independent, pre-booked sessions are designed to complement the official ceremony and studio photography offered through your university.
Friends Graduation Session
A relaxed 20-minute session for two graduates, individual portraits, plus photos together.
- 20-minute photoshoot for 2 graduates
- Individual portraits, friends & family photos
- 10 professionally edited photos in total
Best for: friends who want beautiful individual photos and shared memories together.
The message is pre-filled — just add your name and graduation date.
£29 per person deposit to secure your date
Individual Graduation Session
A relaxed 20-minute photoshoot for one graduate.
- 20-minute graduation photoshoot
- individual, with friend and with family photos
- 10 professionally edited photos
- 1 memory keepsake gift frame
Best for: graduates who want a beautiful personal memory of their special day.
The message is pre-filled — just add your name and graduation date.
£29 per person deposit to secure your date
Graduation Extra
Can't attend a photoshoot on your graduation day or you need more time? No problem - I've got you.
- 1-hour relaxed photoshoot
- Graduation gown and cap provided
- Portraits with and without the gown
- Additional headshots for LinkedIn
- 15 professionally edited digital images
- 2 memory keepsake gift frame
Best for: graduates who want more time, more variety and professional portraits for their next chapter.
The message is pre-filled — just add your name and graduation date.
£29 per person deposit to secure your date
Optional Extras
Make your package even more special — add any of these when you book.
- Extra keepsake gift frame£25
- +5 additional edited photos£30
- All photos from your session£40
- Express delivery (48h)£20
Just mention any extras in your WhatsApp booking message.
How It Works
A simple, personal process from enquiry to your final gallery.
Send an enquiry
Choose your preferred package, university, date and approximate time.
Confirm availability
You will receive confirmation of the session time, meeting point, deposit and booking details.
Enjoy your outdoor portrait session
We meet at the agreed outdoor location, separate from the ceremony and official studio photography areas.
Receive your gallery
Your professionally edited digital images are delivered through a private online gallery within 7–10 days.
A £29 per graduate deposit secures your date. Deposits are non-refundable, but can be moved to another date if you reschedule at least 7 days in advance.
Digital Gallery + Keepsake Frame
Professionally Edited Digital Images
Professionally edited digital images are delivered through a private online gallery you can easily download and share with family and friends.
Selected packages also include a small keepsake frame, as stated in the package details — a lovely additional memento to display at home alongside any official prints from your university's photographer.
A Personal, Pre-Booked Experience
I accept only a small number of sessions on each graduation day so that every graduate receives a personal and carefully planned experience.
All sessions are arranged in advance. I do not approach or solicit graduates during ceremonies or inside official photography areas.
This limited approach allows me to focus on quality, personal guidance and a relaxed experience.
Relaxed Pace
Sessions that feel natural, guided and unhurried
Friends & Family Welcome
Include your loved ones in your outdoor portraits
Professionally Edited
Digital images delivered via a private online gallery
Meet Beata
Hi, I'm Beata
I'm a Greenwich-based portrait photographer with 10 years of experience in commercial projects, personal branding, and family portraits. I trade as Vista Story.
I'm passionate about capturing authentic, natural images that tell both business and personal stories. I work with entrepreneurs, professionals, creatives, university graduates, families, and individuals who value meaningful, story-driven photography.
I'm also a psychology student, nature lover, and big foodie!
You can check more of my work at Beata Nykiel Photography.
Enjoy exploring my work, and feel free to contact me with any questions.
Gallery Preview
A small preview of the relaxed outdoor portrait style you can expect from your session.
Locations
Outdoor Sessions Across London
Sessions take place at suitable, pre-arranged outdoor locations near your university or at another agreed London location.
Selected outdoor locations may include public areas near university campuses, parks, historic surroundings or nearby locations across London, subject to access, venue rules and photography restrictions.
The exact meeting point is confirmed before the session.
Sessions do not take place inside graduation ceremonies, official photography rooms or restricted event areas.
FAQ
Are you the official university photographer?
No. I am an independent professional photographer. Universities may have their own appointed photographers for ceremony and studio photography. My service offers separate, pre-booked outdoor lifestyle portrait sessions and is not affiliated with the university or its official provider.
Does this replace the official graduation photographer?
No. The services are different and can be used together. The official photographer may provide ceremony coverage, formal studio portraits, prints and official graduation products. I specialise in natural outdoor digital portraits with graduates, friends and family.
Can I book both services?
Yes. Many graduates choose official ceremony or studio photography and also book an outdoor lifestyle session for additional natural and personal images.
Do you photograph the graduation ceremony?
No. I do not photograph inside the ceremony, restricted venues or official photography areas.
Are you affiliated with any university?
No. I am an independent professional photographer and this service is not commissioned, operated, sponsored or endorsed by any university.
Where do sessions take place?
Sessions take place at suitable, pre-arranged outdoor locations near your university or at another agreed London location. The exact meeting point is confirmed before the session and is subject to access and venue rules.
What do I receive?
You receive the exact number of professionally edited digital images and any additional benefits shown in your selected package, delivered through a private online gallery.
Can I have photos with my family?
Absolutely. Every package includes time for family photos. Your loved ones are a big part of your graduation day, and I always make sure to capture those special moments together.
How do I secure my booking?
To reserve your date, I ask for a small £29 per graduate deposit (£29 for Individual and Graduation Extra, £58 for the Friends session for two people). This makes sure your slot is held exclusively for you — I don't take other bookings for that date. You'll receive a secure payment link on WhatsApp. The remaining balance is paid on the day of your photoshoot in cash or by bank transfer. Deposits are non-refundable but can be moved to another date if you reschedule at least 7 days in advance.
Do I need to know how to pose?
Not at all. I will gently guide you throughout the session, help you feel comfortable and capture natural photos that look like you. Most people are surprised at how relaxed and enjoyable the experience is.
When will I receive my photos?
Your professionally edited digital images will be delivered within 7–10 days after your photoshoot, via a private online gallery that you can easily download and share.
What if I cannot do the photoshoot on graduation day?
No problem at all. The Graduation Extra package is designed exactly for this situation. You can book a relaxed 1-hour session at a convenient time after your ceremony day, and I even provide the graduation gown and cap.
What happens if it rains?
If the weather doesn't cooperate, we can move to a suitable sheltered outdoor location, adjust the time or agree another solution together, depending on the forecast and access conditions on the day.
Reserve Your Outdoor Portrait Session
A small number of sessions are available on each graduation day. Get in touch to check availability for your date.
WhatsApp me: your university, ceremony date and preferred time.
Click to open WhatsApp — your enquiry is pre-filled. Just add your name, university and graduation date.