Okay, so we admit that we may be a bit biased – but that doesn’t mean that we don’t have our reasons! Not only is the University of Virginia’s Lawn a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but in our humble opinion, it’s also the best place in the world for a college graduation sessions. And after photographing more than 1,000 UVA students, we have four reasons why we think all Hoos should do a UVA grad photoshoot!

 

1. The Beauty of Mr. Jefferson’s Academical Village.

Am I going to sound like a UVA tour guide in this section? It’s possible. Am I aware that the word “academical” hasn’t been used outside of Charlottesville since the year 1700? Absolutely. But that won’t stop me from talking about the beauty that the Rotunda and the surrounding architecture lend to photoshoots of the University’s soon-to-be-grads. The unique blend of neoclassical buildings and green spaces give a uniquely American twist to architectural features you’d recognize from Ancient Greece.

 

 

Now of course, I’m no architect, but I do recognize beautiful features for photography when I see them: converging and diverging lines, simple palettes of soft colors, beautiful sunrises, and rich textures. Check, check, check and check.

 

 

2. The Versatility of the Space

Sure, everyone wants the classic shot in front of the Rotunda, but no one has ever hired us and asked for just that. Another beautiful thing about UVA’s Lawn is the sheer versatility of locations that are available to our grads without leaving the Lawn and Gardens! From the Lawn itself, to the Rotunda’s portico and steps, to the colonnades and courtyards, to the gardens, the options are limitless!

 

 

And if you have ideas during your session with us, let us know! If there’s a special spot within the Academical Village that has meaning to you, just let your photographer know, and we’ll make it happen 👌

 

 

And of course, that includes climbing into the fountain. Nothing is off-limits! (Well, some things obviously are. But nothing that isn’t illegal 😂)

 

 

3. Early mornings on the Lawn

When I (Hunter) captured my first UVA grad photoshoot as a third year at UVA, early morning sessions were an unfortunate consequence of a busy afternoon class schedule, and some over-eager grads. But now, even as a full-time photographer with a flexible schedule, the majority of the graduation photoshoots we capture on the Lawn are still just after sunrise!

 

 

When else can you find such beautiful, warm, golden light? Although sunset may give a similar quality and color of light, think about the last time you walked the Lawn on a warm, sunny afternoon? How many dozens of people did you see throwing the frisbee to their dog, eating a Roots bowl on the Rotunda steps, or studying in an Eno? Now compare that to having the Lawn all to yourself, and you’ll understand why we strongly recommend morning sessions. But have no fear — if a 7:00 or 8:00 AM photoshoot is just out of the question for you, our team still has plenty of availability each evening as well.

 

 

4. The UVA Grad Photoshoot Experience

Since we began our business in 2015, one of Sarah and I’s goals was to specialize solely in wedding and engagement photography. We wanted our wedding business to be so busy that we’d be able to say no to all kinds of non-wedding photography. Family sessions, high school senior sessions, corporate events — they’ve all fallen off our calendar over the last 5 years. But the one non-wedding thing we’re still shooting? UVA Grad sessions. Why? Because they’re fun!!

 

 

Roughly half of the graduation photoshoots that our team captures are with groups. Sometimes it’s a small cluster of friends, and sometimes the entire squad. But the dynamics that these friends share, the way they laugh with each other, and the way that they make each other laugh when it’s their turn for their solo portrait still makes us laugh.

 

 

But when it all comes down to it, a UVA grad photoshoot isn’t just about the pictures. It’s about commemorating a time in your life that you never want to forget. For some people, the shoot is for their parents. It’s a thank-you for all they’ve done to help them get this far. For some couples, it’s a time to celebrate the place and period in their lives when they met each other. And for others, it’s just to commemorate Dear Old U-V-A. The time, memories and friendships that they made during the journey.

 

 

If you’d like to book your own UVA grad photoshoot with a member of our team, click here!