Sports
Athlete Highlight Reel
An athlete highlight reel with slick edits and slow motion, made for senior night, recruiting, and proud parents.
Montages in Motion Presents
From First Steps to the Graduation Stage
A cinematic film of the whole journey, not just the diploma.
What it is
The whole growing-up story, from the first backpack to cap and gown, edited into something more alive than a chronological slideshow.
Why it works
Eighteen years, cut to the turning points.
Graduation is not just a ceremony. It is the end of an entire chapter, and everyone in the room feels it. A graduation montage done right captures that feeling: the kindergarten backpack that was bigger than they were, the braces years, the friday night games, the college acceptance scream, and then the cap and gown. Eighteen years in eight minutes, and not a dry eye at the party.
I have been making graduation films for two decades, for backyard parties, senior nights, and graduation open houses. One mother told me the film captured her daughter's journey from a baby to a high school graduate better than she thought possible. That is the standard every film I make has to meet.
Made for
Where this film belongs
High school graduation parties and open houses
College graduation celebrations
Senior night presentations for athletes and performers
Grandparent gifts and family keepsakes
Class of 2027 planners: booking early gets the best timeline
Now screening
From the edit
Click a frame to play. Nothing loads or starts until you choose it.
From 20 years in the edit
How to Make a Graduation Montage That Does Not Feel Like a Slideshow
Every May I see the same DIY mistake: 300 photos in chronological order set to two songs. The result is a yearbook on a screen. A real graduation film has an arc. The early years move quickly and playfully. The middle years slow down to show personality: the sports, the friendships, the phases we agreed never to speak of again. The final act earns its emotion, ending on who this kid has become, not just what they looked like.
The other secret is mixing media. Photos alone flatten the story. A three-second video clip of a seven-year-old laughing does more than twenty photos. I weave stills, clips, and text moments together so the film breathes. And yes, embarrassing middle school photos are not just allowed, they are structurally necessary.
“I'm not organized and I don't have time. I sent him a pile of stuff and he shaped it into an actual story. He made it easy on purpose, and I noticed.”
“Three people at the graduation party asked me who made the video. I sent all of them to him. Worth every penny and then some.”
What you receive
Made for the screen. Ready for the room.
A personally edited story with humor, warmth and a memorable finish
Thoughtful sequencing and music edited around the moments that matter
Simple opening and closing titles; elaborate treatments quoted separately
Basic cropping and tonal adjustments to selected digital photographs
A 1080p MP4 delivered for advance playback testing
One or two consolidated revision rounds with Celebration Montages; expanded commissions scoped separately
Weddings · birthdays · mitzvahs · anniversaries · graduations · more
The laughs. The memories. The whole room together.
Celebration Montages are $1,500–$3,000. Personal editing, thoughtful music and a finished film that feels like the people you’re celebrating. More elaborate cinematic commissions begin at $4,950.
Celebration Montage
All the personality.
Beautifully brought together.
$1,500
A focused, photo-led celebration story, full of familiar faces, perfectly timed laughs and a heartfelt finish. Made by Brandon from the meaningful moments you select.
- Personal sequencing and music editing
- Simple custom opening and closing titles
- One consolidated revision round
- 1080p MP4, ready for your DJ and family
Celebration Montage Plus
More of the moments.
More of their world.
$2,250–$3,000
For a fuller story with selected home-video moments, more family chapters and a little more room for the personality to come through. The exact scope and price are agreed before editing.
- Photos and selected short video moments
- Additional story shaping and music editing
- Simple party-color and title coordination
- Two consolidated revision rounds
Both are complete films for the celebration, with a clear creative brief and an agreed delivery date. No filming crew or elaborate production required.
What keeps these offers focused?
The $1,500 montage covers one person, couple or shared milestone, up to 100 selected digital photos, a film of approximately 4–6 minutes and up to two licensed library music selections. Plus is quoted within $2,250–$3,000 for up to 160 photos and up to eight selected clips, with no more than five minutes of total source video, usually shaped into a 6–9 minute film. These are scope boundaries, not targets to fill.
You select the meaningful material; I handle the sequence and pacing. Both include basic cropping and tonal adjustments, simple titles and one finished version. Extensive archive sorting, scanning, restoration, interviews, filming, custom animation, extra versions and a new creative direction are quoted separately. Music is cleared for the agreed use; commercial-song requests require separate clearance. A fixed written scope, payment terms and review schedule come before editing.
A bigger creative idea? Cinematic Milestone commissions begin at $4,950 for more involved story development, multiple sources and custom treatments. Interviews, filming and substantial animation are included only when specifically quoted.
Tell me about your celebrationInvestment
Commissioned work, quoted clearly.
Celebration Montages are $1,500–$3,000 for a focused, personally edited film made from your selected photos and short clips. A complete film for the celebration, with scope and price agreed before editing.
More elaborate cinematic commissions begin at $4,950, with deeper story development and custom creative treatments. Filming, interviews, extensive archives, restoration and special versions are quoted separately.
See complete pricingThe process
Every film follows the same simple path. You tell me the story. You send the meaningful photos and clips using the transfer method that works best for you, usually Google Drive or Dropbox, though whatever you already use is completely fine. No perfect organizing required. I shape the story, sequencing, pacing, music, and polish. You review it, and I deliver it ready for the big screen. You send the meaningful pieces. I shape the story. See the full process on the How It Works page.
See how it worksAsked and answered
Questions about graduation films
Do you work with our DJ or event planner?
Yes. I can coordinate the finished-file handoff and agreed playback requirements with your event team. DJs, planners and venues can also refer clients or arrange behind-the-scenes production. Explore event partnerships.
When should I book a graduation montage?
Book 6 to 8 weeks before the party or ceremony for the most comfortable timeline. May and June fill up fast, so spring graduates should reach out by March or April. Tighter timelines are often possible, so ask before assuming it is too late.
How many photos do I need for a graduation video?
Select the meaningful moments from the early years through graduation. The $1,500 Celebration Montage allows up to 100 photos; Plus includes up to 160 photos and a limited set of short clips. You do not need to fill those limits.
Can you include video clips, not just photos?
Yes, and you should. Short clips of your graduate as a little kid, game footage, performances, and candid phone videos give the film life that photos alone cannot. Even shaky, vertical iPhone clips can be edited beautifully into the story.
What songs work best for a graduation montage?
A playful opening and a meaningful close work well. Tell me the mood and the music that matters to your graduate. Included library music is cleared for the agreed use; commercial-song requests require separate rights clearance.
Can you make a version for senior night?
Yes. Share the school’s time slot and playback requirements. A separate senior-night cut alongside a party film is quoted as an additional version.
Do you only work with Cincinnati families?
No. I am based in Cincinnati and serve families nationwide. We transfer photos and clips through Google Drive, Dropbox, or whatever method works best for you; review happens online; and final delivery is digital. Distance changes nothing about the process or the quality.
What is included in the $1,500–$3,000 option?
A complete Celebration Montage from selected digital material, with personal sequencing, music editing, basic photo adjustments, simple titles and a 1080p MP4. The $1,500 photo-led option includes one revision round; Plus is $2,250–$3,000 with selected short clips and two rounds. Detailed boundaries are listed above. Filming, interviews, major restoration, archive sorting and extra cuts are quoted separately.
More general questions live on the master FAQ page.
The next step
Eighteen years deserves more than a slideshow
Tell me about your graduate. I will tell you exactly how the film comes together.
Start Your Graduation Film