The Tassel Turned Project

Black woman in graduation cap and gown with Black Girl Magic stole smiles outdoors in black and white photo.

Senior and graduation photos should have room for who you actually are.

The Tassel Turned Project is Jolie & Rae Photography’s annual senior and graduate photography access project.

Each year, one senior or graduate may be selected to receive a fully sponsored Tassel Turned Session at no cost.

Applications and community nominations are open to high school seniors and graduates, college and university students, trade-school graduates, GED and adult-education students, and others celebrating a meaningful graduation milestone.

You can apply for yourself or nominate someone you know.

Nominate Now

How it Works

Applications are open.

Applications close October 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST

Recipient announcement: November 15, 2026

HOW THE TASSEL TURNED PROJECT WORKS

Who can be nominated?

We welcome nominations for graduating students of all ages and educational paths, including:

High school seniors
College and university graduates
Trade school graduates
Adult learners
GED recipients

You can submit yourself, your child or family member, a friend, a student, or another senior or graduate you think should be considered.

Can i nominate myself?

Absolutely.

Self-applications are just as welcome as nominations from teachers, counselors, coaches, employers, mentors, family members, friends, churches, organizations, and other members of the community.

There is only one form. Just tell us who is submitting it and your relationship to the senior or graduate.

What do recipients recieve?

One recipient may be selected to receive a fully sponsored Tassel Turned Session at no cost.

The session includes:

Up to 30 minutes of photography
One approved location
One outfit
Minimum 10 hand-edited images
Online gallery
Print and download rights
Sneak peeks within 72 hours
Photographer travel to the approved session location

Cap and gown, school gear, sports items, instruments, hobbies, vehicles, and other meaningful personal items are welcome.

Where does the session happen?

The selected recipient will be offered a list of Jolie & Rae-approved session locations.

Options may be available in or around Lincoln, Roseville, Rocklin, Auburn, Sacramento, Lodi, Stockton, San Francisco, the Bay Area, and other Northern California locations.

Available locations can change based on season, permits, travel plans, and availability.

Applicants should be able to travel to one of the location options offered.

How are recipients selected?

Jolie & Rae Photography reviews every submission individually.

There is no public voting, popularity contest, or single circumstance someone needs to have experienced.

We want to learn who the senior or graduate is, what this milestone means to them, why they are being considered, and what having professional portraits would mean to them.

A maximum of one recipient may be selected each year.

Why are recipients featured on your website and socials?

The Tassel Turned Project is an annual Jolie & Rae Photography community project, not a private giveaway.

The selected recipient must be comfortable with us sharing selected images on our website, portfolio, and social media as part of the project.

We may also invite them to participate in a short written Q&A, testimonial, or similar feature.

If they share their delivered photos on social media, we ask that they tag @jolierae.photography at least once.

A proud graduate in cap and gown smiles as a woman kisses his cheek outdoors near green trees.

looking to book a full session instead?

VIEW OUR FULL SENIOR & GRAD PACKAGES

READY TO APPLY OR NOMINATE?

ONE FORM: YOURSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE.

You can apply for yourself or submit someone you know.

There is no specific hardship someone needs to prove, and we are not looking for the “most deserving” story.

We simply want to learn about the senior or graduate, what they have been working toward, why this milestone matters, and why you thought of them for The Tassel Turned Project.

Applications open September 15, 2026.
Applications close October 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM Pacific.

A potential recipient will be contacted privately before any public announcement.

Confirmed recipient announcement: November 15, 2026.

Senior or Graduates Contact Info

*

How can we get into contact with the recipient? Add their phone number, email, or social media.

in the event we can't contact your graduate.

YES

If under the age of 18, the recipient will need a parental/guardian signature on any applicable paperwork.

If yes, please provide Parent or Guardian Contact Information

Name, phone number, email, or best contact method.

Tell us about your Graduate:

*

What are they into? What have they been working toward? What makes this season of life important to them?

Why are you thinking of this person for The Tassel Turned Project?

*

There is not one specific circumstance someone needs to have experienced. This can include financial circumstances, family challenges, illness or loss, unexpected responsibilities, being a first-generation graduate, accomplishments, community involvement, or anything else you think we should know.

Yes.

Yes, but I'd like to explain.

I don't know

Not including school-provided pictures.

If you selected “Yes, but I'd like to explain,” tell us a little more.

What would having a senior or graduation portrait session mean to this person?

*

Even if they're outside the area, this helps us know how much travel sponsorship will be needed and is not factored into the decision process.

I understand and agree.

The recipient must be comfortable with selected session images being used on the Jolie & Rae Photography website, portfolio, and social media and with being featured as that year's Tassel Turned Project recipient. Acceptance of the award is not mandatory. If rejected by the recipient, the award will be given to the next recipient.

Smiling graduate holding black mortarboard cap with 2020 tassel outdoors in natural light.

The included session is complete at $0, no purchase necessarry

The selected recipient does not need to purchase anything in order to participate.

After selection, the recipient or family may choose to add more time, additional outfits, more locations, or move into one of Jolie & Rae Photography's regular Senior & Graduate sessions if they want something beyond the included Tassel Turned Session.