graduates with GRAD letters

Getting the Graduation Shot

Updated november 22, 2019

On Dec. 13 and 14, family and friends will join together to celebrate the accomplishments of this year's graduates at Georgia Tech’s Commencement ceremonies.

As the big day approaches, graduates across campus have already been spotted sporting regalia and posing for photos. Luckily, Tech offers many picturesque locations, with plenty more available across Atlanta, providing stunning backdrops. Visit one of the sites below — or all of them if you're feeling ambitious — and take a few tips from a professional photographer on how to compose the shot.

camera icon

SOME STARTING TIPS

 

Make It Personal

Amreeta Duttchoudhury

Amreeta Duttchoudhury, a Spring 2019 graduate, posed with pride outside the Manufacturing Related Disciplines Complex, which bears the name of her major.

Grab
a Friend

students at tech tower lawn

Sometimes a friend (or five) can take the awkwardness out of posing. This group chose to share a photo shoot at Tech Tower Lawn.

Get
Historic

barry johnson-smith at historical marker

When in doubt, you can't go wrong with with Tech's historical marker in Harrison Square, as Barry Johnson-Smith demonstrates.

Have
Fun

sawyer drummond

Most importantly, have fun celebrating the past four (or five) years of hard work. Sawyer Drummond, a 2018 graduate, jumped for joy outside McCamish Pavilion.

camera icon

THE BEST OF CAMPUS

These locations are great for classic Tech graduation pictures. To make the photos unique, consider bringing along some props — a sign with 2019 written on it, a RAT Cap, balloons, or something significant from your extracurricular or social activities.

And of course, if you can manage it, grab a selfie with Buzz or President Cabrera before you turn your tassel.

Corliss Pump

corliss pump

Harrison Square

harrison square

Tech Green

tech green

Kessler Campanile

campanile

Tech Tower

tech tower

Clough Commons Rooftop

clough commons rooftop

Einstein Monument

einstein statue

Rosa Parks Sculpture

rosa parks statue

The Three Pioneers

the three pioneers

The First Graduate

the first graduate

Bobby Dodd Stadium

bobby dodd stadium

Tech Square

tech square sign

Clough Commons Stairs

clough stairs

Mayer Garden

mayer garden

North Avenue Pedestrian Bridge

north avenue bridge

Scheller College of Business

chihuly chandeliers in scheller

Fifth Street Bridge

fifth street bridge

Crosland Tower

crosland tower steps

Ramblin' Wreck Sound Waves

ramblin wreck sound waves

(First Floor, West Village)

Biotechnology Quad

skyline at biotech quad

camera icon

GETTING THE SHOT

For amateur photographers, trying to capture decent graduation shots can be overwhelming. Georgia Tech photographer Rob Felt offers a few tips for improving the outcome no matter what skills or equipment you have:

  • Don’t fight the sun.
    Don’t mix shady areas with sunny ones. Use the side of a shady building for nice group light.
  • Don’t get too close.
    To get a photo with a building or monument in the background, don’t get too close to it — literally put it in the background.
  • Don’t overwhelm the crowd.
    When taking group photos, only use one camera at a time to avoid people looking different directions.

camera icon

AROUND ATLANTA

If you want to get off campus, consider going to your favorite coffee shop, study spot, or a local park. A few nearby options include:

  • Jackson Street Bridge
  • Piedmont Park
  • Atlanta BeltLine
  • Atlantic Station
  • Atlanta Botanical Garden
  • Centennial Olympic Park
  • The Swan Coach House at the Atlanta History Center
  • The Fox Theatre
CREDITS

Writers: Julia Faherty and Kristen Bailey
Designer: Kristen Bailey
Photographers: Allison Carter, Rob Felt, Christopher Moore
Special Thanks: Sawyer Drummond, Amreeta Duttchoudhury, Barry Johnson-Smith, Annie Strickland Photography