Capture the Moment: Your Guide to Perfect Graduation Photos - Where, When, and How

Whether it’s for the ‘gram, Linkedin, framed on your desk or to go on your nan’s fridge, if you’re graduating over these next couple of weeks you probably want to get some good photos to capture this special day.

We’re sharing our favourite locations to get the best photos to remember your time and years of hard work here at Portsmouth. 

Firstly, some tips…

Leave yourself plenty of time for getting the photos. 

You don’t want to be rushing around and panicking that you need to be in Guildhall and Ceremony in 10 minutes, whilst trying to get photos with friends and family, the stress will show in your photos. Allow yourself time to get your solo photos, ones with family, friends and coursemates, being mindful that you might need to queue for certain spots (that classic shot in front of the door at the top of the Guildhall steps always has a queue).

If you want to get photos with minimal people in the background, the earlier you get there the better! Most days there will be ceremonies starting at 9am so if you’re really dedicated then you’ll want to be there earlier than that. However, there is usually a lull between ceremonies too, so you might have to wait around a little bit. 

Think about the lighting. 

To ensure the photos are of the best quality, firstly aim for good natural lighting, you want the sun to be coming from in front of you rather than behind. If the sun is behind you, it can create silhouettes. Instead, face the light source or use the sun as side lighting for a more balanced exposure, morning and late afternoon are the best times for soft, flattering light. 

Avoid harsh midday sun that can create strong shadows, if you are getting midday photos try being subtly shaded by another object (i.e tree, building) to soften the light and even use the flash on your camera if needed. For the best lighting in the day, the hour just after sunrise and before sunset (“Golden Hour”) offers the most beautiful, warm lighting that enhances skin tones and provides a natural glow.

When it comes to angles, 

Some people already know what angles they like personally and if you do, communicate it to whoever is taking the photo! Especially when it comes to differing generations, for example millennials (sorry millennials) love a side tilted photo as much as Gen-z’s love a 0.5 image. It is not worth having a fall out because you have different preferences in photo styles. If you don’t know your favourite camera angle, the most natural is to hold the phone/camera perpendicular to the ground and at eye level, this mimics how others would view you. 

Striking a Pose.

This does not come natural to everyone, the main goal here is to be positioned comfortably and look happy/proud. Capture the joy of the moment by throwing caps in the air, hugging, or doing a group cheer. Use your graduation caps, gowns, diplomas, or flowers to add context and interest to your photos. If it's a group image, interact with each other, laugh, and move around. Vary the heights by sitting some people while others stand, or use steps to create levels. This adds visual interest.

Be smart with your smartphone. 

With the advance in modern technology and smartphones it is likely that many of your photos will be taken on phones. Other than using steady hands to avoid blurry images, these are some general features that many smartphones have… Use portrait mode to blur the background and make your subjects pop; High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode can help balance the lighting in your photos, especially in tricky lighting situations; Enable grid lines on your camera settings to help with composition and clicking and dragging can alter exposure to change the light levels. 

Framing and composition. 

There are a couple of tips when framing photos, the first is to do with the ‘Rule of thirds’. Although you want the subject (yourself) in the centre of the frame from left to right, when it comes to portrait photography a good tip is to have the subject take up two thirds of the frame from the bottom to the top. Aim to have the feet near the base of the image and the top of your head two thirds above or halfway between the centre and the top of the frame. Most smartphone cameras have a grid option to help with this. Another tip is to use ‘Leading Lines’ like pathways, railings, or buildings to lead the viewer’s eye toward the main subjects. Importantly for graduation the Background Matters, choose a background that complements the photo without being too busy or distracting. University landmarks, greenery, and clean architectural elements work well. 

Our favourite spots for backgrounds include:

The University Library: Right in front of the doors you can capture ‘The University of Portsmouth Library’ sign as well as the architecture of the building creating natural framing for the image. 

Guildhall Square: Before heading into your ceremony or once you have come out the other side, make use of the space around to get the perfect shot with the building you graduate in as a backdrop. Be mindful that there are likely to be hundreds of other graduates also wanting to get images in that space so be kind to one another and understand that you’re all there to graduate and celebrate. 

Top of Guildhall Steps: Most years this is one of the most sought after spots so doe expect to queue a little to get this spot, but it does pay off. The grand grey door works so well as a backdrop and where it is set back behind the columns it avoids harsh sunlight that could give unflattering shadows. No wonder we see it as so many Alumni’s Linkedin profile photos.

Popworld: After spending countless Purple Wednesday nights singing our hearts out to cheesy hits, it only feels fitting to get a photo with our pals in front of the place we laughed, danced, sung and sometimes with one too many snakey b’s, cried.

Park Building: As Portsmouth University’s oldest building, built in 1903 and opened as a Municipal college and public library that focused on chemistry and engineering in 1908.  

Ravelin Sports Centre: With many of us using this space to stay fit and healthy (and getting frappes) throughout our degrees. Out the front of the new campus building is a great spot. For this one we think it is important to take images outside as people working out probably don't want to be captured all sweaty or in their swimmies. 

Northern Quarter: …or mini campus or whatever name you would like to call the cluster of UoP teaching buildings that many of us have spent hours and hours learning in over the years. With your teaching building as your background, celebrate not needing to go back in there again! 

Hotwalls Beach: We love how the cutouts in the wall to get to the beach, provide natural framing for an image whilst showing off our beautiful waterfront in the background.

Spice Island: Here gives a good view of both the waterfront and Portsmouth skyline. With water at all angles you can choose your positioning depending on the sun at that time of day too!

Gunwharf Quays Bridges: These bridges offer a good spot to get the water below, the sea and spinnaker all in the background.

In front of Spinnaker: Spinnaker Tower is possibly the most recognisable and iconic aspect of our waterfront city, so be iconic and pose below it!

Portsmouth Cathedral: Another Iconic landmark of Portsmouth for an iconic graduate.

Use this map to help find these spots around the city and see examples!

Remember these photos are not the be all and end all of your day, be sure to take time to celebrate your accomplishments with loved ones and course mates.

Above all, be proud of your achievements. Congratulations to the class of 2024.