Marleen - Rancho Palos Verdes Graduation Portraits

Marleen finished an online grad school program recently, and was looking for a traditional graduation session in a setting with classic brick architecture, similar to a college campus. While it would have been easy to use another university’s campus, I wanted to create a session that was unique and meaningful to her. After brainstorming different ideas—including her love for the beach and her entrepreneurial side hustle as a lash and beauty salon owner—we designed the perfect session to celebrate this milestone in her life!

GraduationNick LieFebruary 25, 2025graduation, graduation portraits, graduation guides, beachComment

Syd - USC Family Graduation Portraits

In this session, we captured Syd’s journey as an artist, writer, and educator pursuing a Master of Education in School Counseling. Syd was excited to continue her tradition of celebrating commencement with graduation portraits, just as she did in high school and after finishing her undergrad program. Let’s dive into the best photo spots on USC’s campus and how to make the most of your session!

GraduationNick LieFebruary 4, 2025Nick Lie Photographyusc graduation, usc, usc gra, graduat, bov, sunsetComment

Furn and Masy: UCLA Graduation Portraits for Couples

My graduation portrait sessions are bespoke - just like your college experience, your photo session will be unique and designed just for you. During the planning process, I send out a planning questionnaire which lets you share exactly what made your college experience special! Furn and Masy were extremely busy STEM students and they shared with me some of their important memories of being busy together: taking the bus to the Engineering buildings together in the morning, having lunch and study breaks together at Bombshelter Bistro, and taking sunset strolls across campus when time allowed. After hearing this, I knew exactly how to plan their grad session!

GraduationNick LieFebruary 15, 2023UCLA, royce hall, kerckhoff hall, bruinwalk, bruin bear, graduation portraits, graduation guides, ucla graduation sash, janssComment

Bianca: SoCal Superbloom Graduation Portraits

The spring season is an eventful time in Southern California. Daylights savings makes its return, seniors prepare to graduate, and most importantly, flowers begin to bloom all across the state. In the peak of their bloom, for just a few weeks every spring, you can fields of wildflowers across SoCal - Bianca’s grad portraits in the flower fields was just perfect!

GraduationNick LieMarch 16, 2022graduation portraits, wildflowers, sunset, natural lightComment

Best Locations for Occidental College Graduation Portraits

See my favorite locations at Occidental for grad sessions!

GraduationNick LieMarch 12, 2022sunset, occidental college, johnson hall, thorne hall, central quad, gilman fountain, graduation guides, guidesComment

Emma: USC Graduation Portraits at Sunset

Once per day, as the sun reaches the edge of the horizon, golden rays of light shine through the city, outlining everything it touches with a warm glow. We call this time right before sunset golden hour. Sunset light is incredibly flattering and it’s undoubtably the best time of the day to have your portrait session!

GraduationNick LieFebruary 28, 2022usc, bovard, alumni park, doheny, mudd hall, tommy trojan, grad photosComment

Noelle: Graduation Portraits at the Beach (Malibu, CA)

Noelle spent many years in Southern California enjoying crisp ocean air, and Malibu’s beaches were important places to her. Because graduation happened out of state, we decided to have her grad session at one of the most scenic spots in Malibu: El Matador State Beach.

GraduationNick LieFebruary 24, 2022graduation portraits, malibu, beach, mastersComment

Top 8 Locations for USC Graduation Portraits

See my favorite locations at USC for grad sessions!

Nick LieFebruary 22, 2022usc graduation, usc, sunset, bovard, traveler, mudd hall, tommy trojan, steps of troy, alumni park, rose garden, guides, graduation guidesComment

Michael and Bela: UCLA Graduation Portraits + Couples' Session

Because of remote learning, Michael was not able to spend his senior year on campus at UCLA. When he returned to UCLA for commencement, we made sure to document everything that made Michael’s time at UCLA memorable. This included dogs, a surprise visit from a friend, sunset, and of course, some quality time together with his fiancee!

GraduationNick LieFebruary 8, 2022UCLA, graduation portraits, kerckhoff hall, royce hall, golden hour, sunsetComment

Larissa: Cal Poly Pomona Graduation Portraits

Larissa’s graduation portraits features all of my favorite locations at Cal Poly Pomona and shows why I like grad sessions here. This session had a little bit of everything: casual and formal outfits, school spirit, lots of confetti, and an impromptu couples session. It was a memorable one! :)

Graduation, PortraitsNick LieMarch 19, 2021graduation portraits, cal poly pomona, couplesComment

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