UCLA couples graduation portrait at sunset

Celebrating many semesters of happy memories

Or should I say, quarters! As a graduate of the UC system, I’m a little too familiar with the endless hustle of the 10 week quarters. We often joked that midterm season was weeks 2-10, as it wasn’t uncommon to have exams almost every week of the 10 week quarter!

As busy students of the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering, Furn and Masy were no strangers to the fast paced academic culture at UCLA, as a major part of their time together were spent supporting each other through their rigorous academic schedules. Graduating in 2020 didn’t make things easier as they were forced to finish the last two quarters of their studies remotely. After graduating, work took this happy couple far from Los Angeles. Graduation portraits was not forgotten however, because two years into planning their session, Furn and Masy had the opportunity to Los Angeles on vacation and finally take graduation portraits together. From the first time I exchanged emails with Furn and Masy, I knew their session was going to be a memorable experience!

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!

These are the locations I chose for this UCLA couples’ grad session. Be sure to check out my UCLA locations guide for my top 10 favorite spots to take photos at UCLA!

Kerckhoff Hall
South Campus
Royce Hall
Dickson Quad
Janss Steps

Bruin Bear

We met in the late afternoon at the Bruin Bear. It was a tremendously warm and sunny summer day, but taking photos with UCLA’s mascot is an absolute must for every graduating Bruin!

Kerckhoff Hall

The tall arches and vintage architecture of Kerckhoff Hall make perfectly framed backgrounds for portraits. Kerckhoff Hall is located right next to Bruinwalk which is another one of my favorite spots to take grad photos at UCLA.

Bruinwalk

Bruinwalk is the most walked corridor of UCLA and happens to be have some of the greatest light on campus! Many UCLA grads have spent lots of time here - from doing fundraisers with student organizations, to rushing to class, or dodging those giving out flyers… whether you’re the “flyerer” or the “flyeree”, you should definitely stop by Bruinwalk for some photos!

UCLA Graduation portrait at sunset — UCLA Graduation Portraits, Bruinwalk

South Campus Cafe

Personalization is a huge part of my graduation portrait sessions. While every university campus has the “classic” photo spots that we must go to, the spots you spent the most time at on campus is equally important! Whether it be the your department’s building, the sports field, or even your favorite study spot on campus, you should definitely take photos there!

Bombshelter Bistro, located in the center of UCLA’s Court of Sciences, was one of those special spots for Furn and Masy, where they enjoyed many lunches, coffee breaks, and study sessions together during their time at UCLA. I looked to capture intimate importance of these memories in their graduation photos.

Royce Hall

Standing at the north side of Dickson Plaza, with two towers that are impossible to miss is Royce Hall, one of the most beautiful locations at UCLA to take graduation portraits. Taking photos here is required for all portrait sessions at UCLA!

Janss Steps at Sunset

Janss Steps overlooks a wonderful view and is my favorite spot to wrap up a sunset portrait session at UCLA. The location offers beautiful sunset backlight until the last moment when the sun dips over the horizon. The stone banners and large sloping lawn next to Janss Steps offer my two favorite views of Royce Hall.

This last half hour of your grad session is the perfect time for an outfit change. An outfit change is a great idea for capturing multiple looks in your graduation portrait session. Be sure to read my graduation planning guide for some tips on bringing extra outfits!

Congratulations Furn and Masy on graduating from UCLA!

This is a quintessential example of a college grad taking UCLA graduation photos on campus. Be sure to sure to check out other recent graduates’ photo sessions and my full graduation portraits gallery for more samples of my work.

Ready to book your own grad session? Please visit my grad bookings page and fill out my inquiry form at the bottom to reserve your session date today!

Furn and Masy: UCLA Graduation Portraits for Couples