Mission Santa Clara de Asís

One of the most iconic landmarks on campus, this Spanish Mission offers historic architecture for a timeless, elegant backdrop.

Palm Court & Central Lawn

With rows of palm trees and open green space, this area creates a bright, California-inspired look. It’s perfect for relaxed portraits and walking shots.

Mission Gardens

The Mission Gardens at Santa Clara University offer a peaceful, beautifully landscaped setting for graduation photos. With manicured greenery, shaded paths, and flower-filled archways, this area feels serene and perfect for portraits.

The Fountain

The fountain is a popular and visually striking photo location, with the Mission in the background. I often like to end my sessions here, with a fun champagne pop!

Hidden Corners Around Campus

Santa Clara University has many smaller courtyards and shaded walkways that are beautiful, yet often go unnoticed. These locations are great for intimate portraits and crowd-free shooting, especially during the weeks leading up to the graduation ceremony when there are often other students taking their pictures at some of the more popular spots.

Nobili Hall

Nobili Hall is a meaningful graduation photo location for many Santa Clara University students, particularly those in the humanities and social sciences. Its classic exterior and central campus location make it a great backdrop for portraits that feel academic, polished, and deeply connected to your time at SCU.

Buildings Connected to Your Major

Many graduates choose to take photos outside buildings that hold personal significance—whether it’s where most of your classes were held, where you spent long nights studying, or where key memories were made. Including these locations adds a meaningful, personal layer to your graduation photos and helps tell the full story of your academic journey.

Campus Greenery & Courtyards

Santa Clara University is known for its lush landscaping, palm trees, and quiet courtyards tucked throughout campus. These green spaces provide beautiful natural light and a relaxed atmosphere, making them perfect for candid photos and portraits that feel effortless and authentic.

Cap, Gown & Sashes

Even if you don’t plan on wearing your cap and gown for every photo, make sure to bring them to your session. Graduation can be styled and posed in creative ways, whether that’s a cap toss or wearing the gown draped over your shoulder.

Ahead of your session, be sure to steam or press your gown, stoles, and sashes. Creases and wrinkles will not be removed during editing and can take away from an otherwise clean, finished look. Safety pins or bobby pins can also come in handy for quick fixes and adjustments on the day of your photoshoot.

Wear Neutral, Solid Colors

When choosing an outfit for your graduation photos, white is a popular option—but it’s far from the only one. The most important guideline is to keep things simple by avoiding loud patterns and visible logos. Soft, neutral tones such as ivory, beige, tan, and black tend to photograph beautifully and complement a wide range of campus settings.

Bring Touch Ups & an Outfit Change (if desired)

I recommend bringing a small essentials kit to your graduation photoshoot, including items like lip balm, face powder, and a brush for quick touch-ups. If your session includes walking between multiple locations on campus, a comfy second pair of shoes can be especially helpful—particularly if you plan to wear heels.

For sessions lasting an hour or more, there’s often time to change outfits as well. Some graduates choose to include both a dressed-up look and a more casual option, while others switch into a polished, professional outfit for LinkedIn or career-related photos. You’re also welcome to incorporate clothing that reflects a club, sport, or organization that played an important role in your college experience.

Props & Champagne

You’re welcome to bring props that reflect your school experience or academic focus. Items like a university flag, textbooks, or tools connected to your major—such as a stethoscope for nursing students—can add a personal, meaningful touch to your graduation photos. To end the session on a celebratory note, many graduates choose to include a champagne pop. The movement and energy make for fun, memorable images and perfectly capture the excitement of celebrating such a big achievement.