MCRD San Diego graduation photos.

— What the base says

Cameras, video and recordings at MCRD San Diego.

• The depot streams graduation only on its official YouTube channel, and recorded ceremonies are also posted on DVIDS.

— Shots worth getting

Ten photos you will want forever.

1. The moment they are released to you
2. The first hug, and keep shooting
3. A close up in uniform
4. With a drill instructor or training leader, if they will stand for it
5. The whole family in one frame
6. With the grandparents
7. With their battle buddy or shipmate
8. Holding the certificate
9. A selfie, both of you
10. The walk back to the car

— Photo tips

Seven habits that pay off later.

• Arrive early and choose your spot before the crowd fills in. A clear line of sight beats a close one.
• Hold the phone upright for portraits. Tall photos fill a keepsake card best, wide ones are for the whole scene.
• Take more than you think you need, and keep shooting after the first hug. The second and third minutes are the honest ones.
• Ask a relative or a stranger to take one of the whole family together. It is the photo everyone forgets to get.
• If the ceremony is streamed or recorded, screenshot a few frames later. You will not be filming and hugging at once.
• Write down the platoon, flight, company or division and the date the same day. Nobody remembers it in five years.
• Back the photos up that night, before anything happens to the phone.

— Hiring a photographer

Family portraits are a different job.

Some families book a local photographer for portraits around graduation weekend. If you do, remember that everyone who comes on base follows the same ID, pass and gate rules as any other visitor (see the MCRD San Diego guide), so sort out access with them before the day. Either way, the photos your own family takes are the ones that end up on the wall.