Sharing today some beautiful UCSD graduation photos! UCSD is a such a gorgeous campus and I loved getting to showcase my client’s favorite locations in his graduation photos. One of my favorite parts of graduation photos is the storytelling aspect: what spots on campus hold special meaning to or memories for my client? How can we beautifully incorporate those locations into the photos? And bonus, can I find a way to showcase both my client and the landscape that shaped them the past four years?
UCSD Graduation Photos
For his UCSD graduation photos, it was important to my client to visit multiple locations that were important to him or would make iconic UC San Diego images. Here were his top spots!
- His residence hall
- The Triton Sign
- The Sun God statue
- The Geisel Library
- The Snake Path
- Price Center
When you book with me, one of the first things we discuss is what locations would be important to YOU, so we can be sure your session is a reflection of your own time on campus!
One of our first stops was the Sun God statue, which celebrates the many days each year that San Diego and La Jolla have sunshine. 🤩
UC San Diego photos
We got some beautiful late-afternoon portraits near the Snake Path outside the Geisel Library. The light was beautiful and I love the way I could frame my subject! This is one beautiful university campus and I’m so glad to get my client some beautiful UC San Diego photos.
UCSD graduation day
UCSD graduation day is typically the second weekend of June, and there are many different graduations from Friday through Sunday. Each of UCSD’s individual colleges will have their own graduation during those three days, and there is also a giant all-school graduation the Saturday of that weekend. Parking can be a real challenge, so definitely head over early; trolleys are available to bring you from the parking lots to the commencement sites, but many people choose to walk as the UCSD graduation day lines are quite long.
Over by York Hall on the west side of campus is a fun Triton sign. It was a bit of a full-sun challenge, but I think we really made it work for these UCSD graduation photos!
UC San Diego Images
It was important to my client to get some UC San Diego images back where his college career started at his former residence hall. We definitely made sure to visit his college and get some UCSD graduation photos there in addition to other beautiful places on campus!
We ended our time on campus with photos at Price Center and at the fun mirrored walls outside of the Geisel Library. Thanks for choosing me to be your UCSD graduation photographer! Sharing soon part two of my client’s three hour portrait session at La Jolla Shores beach. 🙂
Here’s what my client had to say about the experience!
We did a graduation package for our son with fantastic results. In the days of “just click some photos on your phone”, we are glad we went beyond that. We brought several ideas and “must have” photos, but found that Kristen was highly prepared with several ideas of her own. Blending those two really was stellar. Her direction for the session was great with good still and action shots. I’m just so impressed with her overall vision.
What you’re paying for: vision from the photographer, personalization, high quality output, and memories you will never forget.
Kristen Hazelton is an award-winning Oak Park, IL (West Chicagoland) and Livermore, CA (San Francisco East Bay Area) graduating senior, and family photographer. She occasionally photographs in San Diego, CA, Tucson, AZ, and Seattle, WA. You can inquire about your own photoshoot here!
