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A few years into photography, Paola Prez is spending the next few days photographing future graduates and it's all free.Prez said she got the idea for the photoshoots after not getting any photos herself when she was graduating."I, myself come from a low-income background first generation ... It's a very important milestone to hit, but not everyone is able to say, 'Oh, I want to take photos. Here's $200,' trying to take them," Prez said.The real estate photographer knows a graduation photoshoot can cost a couple of hundred dollars adding up total graduation costs, including the cap and gown and other expenses. This made her decide she would help out others who might be in the same boat.Prez chose Sacramento State's arboretum for her photoshoots not by accident. Like the 1,400 species of trees from around the world in it, she hopes it represents a thriving future for graduates.One of her first sessions was with Francisco Javier Ortiz, who's in his last year studying computer science. As he took his graduation photos, Ortiz reminisced about migrating to the U.S. from Mxico in 2004.One step closer to his next step in life, these photos have a deeper meaning, as Ortiz is also making history in his home: He is the first in his family to graduate from college in the United States."So that's kind of nice, and I kind of like, get to show because I have a younger brother and I get to kind of be a role model," Ortiz said.He added that the photos will be a surprise to his parents.The university's first commencement ceremonies are taking place this weekend.

A few years into photography, Paola Prez is spending the next few days photographing future graduates and it's all free.

Prez said she got the idea for the photoshoots after not getting any photos herself when she was graduating.

"I, myself come from a low-income background first generation ... It's a very important milestone to hit, but not everyone is able to say, 'Oh, I want to take photos. Here's $200,' trying to take them," Prez said.

The real estate photographer knows a graduation photoshoot can cost a couple of hundred dollars adding up total graduation costs, including the cap and gown and other expenses. This made her decide she would help out others who might be in the same boat.

Prez chose Sacramento State's arboretum for her photoshoots not by accident. Like the 1,400 species of trees from around the world in it, she hopes it represents a thriving future for graduates.

One of her first sessions was with Francisco Javier Ortiz, who's in his last year studying computer science. As he took his graduation photos, Ortiz reminisced about migrating to the U.S. from Mxico in 2004.

One step closer to his next step in life, these photos have a deeper meaning, as Ortiz is also making history in his home: He is the first in his family to graduate from college in the United States.

"So that's kind of nice, and I kind of like, get to show because I have a younger brother and I get to kind of be a role model," Ortiz said.

He added that the photos will be a surprise to his parents.

The university's first commencement ceremonies are taking place this weekend.

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Sacramento-area photographer offers free photo sessions to graduating students - KCRA Sacramento