8 Essential Locations for every USC Grad Session

University of Southern California is a school of tradition, saturated with undying school spirit and culture passed down through the generations of proud Trojans. During graduation season, the USC campus is full of strong energy and victory signs, channeled by proud graduating seniors, alumni, and their friends and family, with cardinal red as far as the eye can see. It’s an amazing feeling to walk around campus during this time, and I look forward to being at USC every year for graduation season!

These are my favorite locations for USC grad sessions. All USC graduating seniors who book their graduation portraits with me use these locations as a starting point when planning their sessions.

1. Bovard Auditorium

This iconic brick building stands in the center of USC’s campus, and is an essential location to take photos at for every graduating senior. I often start my grad sessions at Bovard because its central location makes it a convenient place for groups to meet at.

USC Bovard Auditorium graduation portrait — Bovard Auditorium, USC

2. Alumni Park

Alumni Park is an open space right across from Bovard Auditorium. Out of all of these locations on USC’s campus, it gets the best sunset light. The large lawn and photogenic trees make for perfect backlit sunset portraits!

USC alumni park graduation portrait at sunset — Alumni Park, USC

3. Mudd Hall

Tucked away on the edge of campus, Mudd Hall could be described as USC’s hidden gem. These arches provide the perfect backdrop some unique portraits.

Please note that this location tends to be extremely busy the month before graduation - during the busy weeks, it take up to 30-45 minutes to reach the front of the line. If you schedule your graduation session during this timeframe, I recommend asking a friend to hold us a place in line while we take photos at other locations.

I’ve shot at Mudd Hall hundreds of times, so as long as we can get the location clear for 5 minutes, I’ll get every shot for you!

usc graduation portrait at mudd hall arches — USC Mudd Hall

4. Tommy Trojan

Tommy Trojan, the famous mascot school mascot, modeled after several USC football players, stands in Hahn Quad in the very center of campus. Every graduating senior needs a photo here! In the weeks leading to commencement, there can be a long line, so please plan accordingly if you’d like to shoot at Tommy Trojan during your grad session.

usc graduating seniors at Tommy trojan — Tommy Trojan, USC

5. Steps of Troy

Just a short walk from Tommy Trojan lies the Steps of Troy. “Faithful. Scholarly. Skillful. Courageous. Ambitious.” The words listed on the Steps of Troy reflect the virtues of the Trojan family, one that you are part of for life.

usc graduate at steps of troy — USC Steps of Troy

6. Traveler

Modeled after the pure white Andalusian horse that is USC’s majestic mascot, the Traveler statue stands proudly in USC’s Hahn Quad. Traveler is a tribute to the noble white horse that appears with a Trojan warrior at USC home football games and the proud symbol of ancient Troy.

A graduation tradition for USC seniors is take photos at the base of Traveler, or sitting on its back, if you’re feeling adventurous!

usc graduate at traveler statue — USC Traveler

7. Exposition Rose Garden

The Rose Garden is located across Exposition Blvd from USC’s campus. This is my favorite location to take graduation portraits at sunset for USC grad sessions - the golden sunset backlight with rows of roses make perfect golden hour portraits!

usc graduate at rose garden sunset — Exposition Rose Garden

8. Your Department Building!

Lastly, your school’s building is an essential photo location for your grad session! Marshall, Viterbi, and Annenberg - just to name a few of USC’s world famous professional schools - all have beautiful backdrops for portraits.

Alternatively, maybe you were part of USC’s sports teams, were an RA at a residential hall, or participated in a student organization during your time at USC. Or there is one spot at USC that’s dear to you. Let me know what spaces at USC are meaningful to you so I can document that in your graduation story.

usc law school graduation portrait — USC School of Law

Interested in seeing more of my work? Be sure to sure to check out other recent graduates’ photo sessions and my full graduation portraits gallery.

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!

Top 8 Locations for USC Graduation Portraits