Graduation photos mark the end of one chapter and the start of another. Most grads want at least two looks: the classic cap and gown portrait for family, and something more personal that actually looks like them. Finding a studio that handles both without booking two separate spaces saves time, money, and a lot of back-and-forth. FD Photo Studio has several LA locations that cover both looks in one rental. Some have white cyc walls for the classic portrait, others have fabric backdrops and built-in sets for something more personal.
Most graduation shoots need at least two looks. The cap and gown portrait works best on a clean white background. Simple, no distractions, all focus on the grad. The second look is where you add something: a textured wall, a fabric backdrop, a built-in set that makes the photo feel like the person in it.
Backdrop variety matters too. Grads often come with multiple outfits: the regalia, a dress or suit, and something casual. A studio with several background cuts setup time and keeps the energy up between looks.
For posing tips, outfit ideas, and shot lists, check out our graduation photo tips and ideas guide.
A white cyc wall gives you a clean, seamless background with no visible corners or horizon line. Cap and gown portraits shot on a cyc wall keep the focus entirely on the subject. These four studios all have white cyc walls, each with a different size, location, or added feature.
The Large Corner Cyc Wall Studio Yukon 1 is the pick when the whole family is coming for a family shot like this.
At 1,860 square feet with a 23×23 ft corner cyc wall that goes 16 feet high, Yukon 1 gives you room for parents, siblings, extended family, no one getting cut off at the frame edge. Free on-site parking helps when the whole group shows up at once. It is located at 12828 Yukon Ave, Hawthorne, CA 90250. Rates start from $44.99/hr.
Rent RGB LED panels for $15/booking each to add color to your shoot. Or set up a spotlight for the iconic light circle on the wall for just $55/booking.
Rent the Large Corner Cyc Wall Studio Yukon 1
For a grad who wants maximum space and full lighting control, the Large White Cyc Wall Studio C is the optimal choice.
Cap and gown, one chair, clean white background. The attitude carries the whole frame because nothing else competes with it. Studio C has a 19-foot white cyc wall with enough floor space to pull back, shoot wide, and still reposition lights between looks. RGB overhead lights shift the mood without touching the backdrop. A grass backdrop wall is available if you want an outdoor look without going outside.
Studio C is located at 530 East 8th Street Los Angeles, CA 90014. Studio rates start from $49.99/hr.
Rent the Large White Cyc Wall Studio Studio C
For a warmer, more relaxed look alongside the cyc, the White Cyc Wall with Afternoon Light Studio Loft 6 combines a cyc wall with exposed brick walls, high ceilings, and large windows that bring in strong afternoon light.
Large window, clean white walls. The calm, confident mood in a shot like this comes directly from the quality of the natural light. Loft 6 gets that same afternoon light through large windows, and the cyc wall handles the clean floor-to-wall transition. The brick walls are a completely different texture when you step off the cyc. It’s located at 656 S Los Angeles Street, Unit 900, Los Angeles, CA 90014. Rental rates start from $49.99/hr.
Rent the White Cyc Wall with Afternoon Light Studio Loft 6
For graduation shoots that need both a clean classic look and several other distinct looks in one rental, the White Steps and Cyc Wall Studio Yukon 2 covers both. This 1,140-square-foot studio has a 16×17 ft white cyc wall, Greek-inspired steps, a grey textured wall, and a fabric backdrop rack on a sliding rail. The cyc handles the formal portrait. Sixteen-foot ceilings mean you can shoot full-length without clipping a light modifier.
The white Greek-inspired steps give you natural posing levels without moving anything. You can sit on the lower step, stand at the top, or lean against the side.
When you want something less formal, the grey textured wall gives you a completely different mood without repositioning your lights. It’s warmer and more editorial than the cyc, which is good for the casual outfit change or a more personal portrait.
The studio is located at 12828 Yukon Ave, Hawthorne, CA 90250. Studio rates start from $39.99/hr
Rent the White Steps and Cyc Wall Studio Yukon 2
But not every graduation look needs a plain background like cyc wall. Some grads want a shot that feels less like a formal portrait and more like a real moment. These two studios give you fabric backdrops, built-in props, and natural light options that work well for the second look, or as the main setup for the whole shoot.
The fabric backdrop side of Yukon 2 is worth its own mention. On the sliding rack, we have dark red, grey, and blue muslin backdrops. The blue is what most photographers grab first for graduation work. It reads clean against dark academic robes and doesn’t fight any skin tone. It’s also traditional for this type of photography, vintage-inspired. There’s also a 20×40 ft soft pink satin backdrop for warm formal portraits. A floor fan is available if you want movement. Switching backdrops takes only under a minute.
This is the kind of shoot the blue muslin backdrop at Yukon 2 was made for. Multiple portraits, one backdrop, completely different personalities. The textured fabric adds depth without competing with the subject, and the cool blue tone photographs cleanly with almost any outfit or skin tone.
Rent the White Steps and Cyc Wall Studio Yukon 2
For grads who want portraits that feel personal rather than polished, the Bookshelf and Grey Wall Studio D is a go-to. This 900-square-foot studio has floor-to-ceiling dark brown crate shelving with books already loaded in, a Venetian grey textured wall, and a dark brown vanity mirror with seating.
This is the kind of graduation portrait a bookshelf backdrop can give you. Studio D has that setup built in: floor-to-ceiling dark brown crate shelving with books already in place. The grey textured wall gives you a cleaner alternative when the client wants something more subtle. The vanity mirror gives you a third angle with a different character entirely.
North and west-facing windows bring in daylight. Morning light runs cooler, afternoon warmer. Three flash units are included if you’d rather control the light.
Bookshelf and Grey Wall Studio D is located at 530 East 8th Street Los Angeles, CA 90014. Rental rates start from $44.99/hr.
Rent the Bookshelf and Grey Wall Studio D
Every FD Photo Studio rental comes with three flash units, wireless triggers, c-stands, sandbags, v-flats, a makeup station with a mirror and seating, and free WiFi at no extra charge.
Continuous lighting is not included but is available for rent across all studios. Paper backdrops are available for an additional price: $29.99 for up to 6 ft, $59.99 for more than 6 ft, or $75 for a full roll. The equipment list has everything available and rentable by the studio.
All studios are 100% private. No insurance or permits needed. Bookings use a self-check-in system, and you receive an access code before your shoot. The minimum rental is 1 hour.
Ready to Rent Your Graduation Studio?
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Call us at +1 (323) 454-2323, or email us at info@fdphotostudio.com. We also have a live support chat on our website where you can get directions, request help, or ask questions.