We tend to think of graduation ceremonies as marking an end of a phase in life. But, as you may know, the word "commencement" means "a beginning or a start." And I like the paradox of that: finishing is beginning.

Such is the case with the 672 graduates of the class of 2014 of Lake Area Technical Institute. But it's also true of president Deb Shephard, who is at the podium. For she is retiring in a month. And for the two of us (I'm not just her photographer but also her husband) this ceremony marks the commencement of the next phase of our lives, too. I can't wait.

Canon 5DIII 1/80s f/2.8 ISO1250 125mm

Check out more photos of the 2014 graduation ceremony here.