UC Berkeley Graduation Photographer / Photo Locations

Best UC Berkeley Graduation Photo Locations

UC Berkeley is one of my favorite campuses for graduation photography because of its beautiful architecture, iconic landmarks, and variety of photo locations. From Sather Gate and the Campanile to the historic Doe Library, there are plenty of places to capture your graduation memories.

After photographing graduation sessions around UC Berkeley, I've developed a preferred route that makes the most of the light while moving between some of the most recognizable spots on campus.

In this guide, I'll share my favorite UC Berkeley graduation photo spots, when I recommend photographing them, and a few tips to make your session go as smoothly as possible.

Book your Berkeley session Graduation portfolio

UC Berkeley graduate in black dress and navy-and-gold Berkeley stole standing centered beneath Sather Gate on a clear winter

Short on time? Start with these

If time is limited, I prioritize Sather Gate, the Campanile, and the Doe Library area, then add other stops based on what matters most to you.

Sather Gate →

Campanile (Sather Tower) →

Doe Library Front Entrance →

My seven favorite UC Berkeley graduation photo spots

Sather Gate

Must-haveWhere I start

Sather Gate is one of the most recognizable landmarks at UC Berkeley and one of my favorite places to begin a graduation session. The historic entrance creates a distinctive backdrop that immediately connects your photos to the university.

I like starting here because we can capture traditional graduation portraits and then ease into more natural, candid photos around the surrounding campus.

Nine UC Berkeley graduates in black robes with teal hoods smiling together beneath Sather Gate at golden hour

Close portrait of UC Berkeley grad Kim in navy gown and gold Berkeley stole, smiling brightly in front of Sather Gate with soft golden-hour bokeh in the background.

Bay Area graduation portrait of a UC Berkeley Class of 2024 graduate in white dress and cap leaning on Sather Gate.

Photo ideas here

Standing beneath Sather Gate
Full-body graduation portraits
Walking toward or away from the gate
Relaxed smiling portraits
Wider frames showing the architecture
Straight-on and diagonal angles of the gate

Photographer’s tip: Sather Gate is a popular photo spot, especially during graduation season. Starting here lets us photograph it early in the session before we continue through campus.

Doe Library Front Entrance

Must-haveWhere I finish, near sunset

Doe Library is one of my favorite graduation backdrops at Berkeley. Its columns and impressive architecture make it an excellent location for classic graduation portraits.

My favorite time to photograph the outside of Doe Library is around sunset. Earlier in the day, the building behind you can be much brighter than you are, which makes it harder to keep both the architecture and your face looking good in the same photo.

By finishing at Doe Library around sunset, I can often get a better balance between you and the background, so the details of the building stay visible while the light on you stays soft and flattering. Weather still plays a part, so I adjust on the day.

Graduate in blue and gold doctoral regalia sits on a stone bench beside a large Bernese Mountain Dog, smiling warmly in front of ferns and a stone building with brick pathway in the foreground.

Photo ideas here

Classic cap-and-gown portraits
Full-body photos with the columns visible
Portraits showcasing the front entrance
Close-up graduation portraits
Natural celebratory photos

Photographer’s tip: I generally save Doe Library for the end of the session, especially around golden hour. That's an intentional lighting decision, not just a convenient place to stop.

Doe Library Ledge

Must-havePart of the finish

Another favorite composition is photographing graduates near the ledge at Doe Library. This viewpoint lets us bring the library's architecture into a wider background and gives a different perspective from the entrance portraits.

It adds variety to your gallery without traveling to a completely different part of campus, and a few strong frames here often end up among the favorites of the whole gallery.

UC Berkeley grad Kim sits on a stone balustrade in front of Doe Library, arm raised holding her navy mortarboard, wearing a white dress and Berkeley Class of 2026 sash in warm golden-hour light.

Trang sits perched on a stone balustrade in front of a grand neoclassical building, wearing a navy doctoral gown over a white dress, holding her cap aloft and smiling at the camera under soft overcast light.

Photo ideas here

Wide environmental portraits
Graduation portraits with Doe Library behind you
Relaxed standing or seated portraits, where allowed
Celebratory photos
Frames that bring in the surrounding campus

Photographer’s tip: We stay on solid ground near the ledge. I never ask anyone to stand on an edge or climb the architecture, and we keep walkways clear for everyone else.

Campanile (Sather Tower)

Highly recommended

The Campanile is one of Berkeley's most iconic landmarks and a fantastic location for graduation portraits. The tower is an instantly recognizable university backdrop, and it works in a variety of wider compositions.

I especially like including the Campanile because it shows off the campus without every image being a traditional portrait directly in front of a building.

UC Berkeley grad Kim stands on Memorial Glade smiling with Sather Tower rising behind her, wearing a white dress and Berkeley Class of 2026 sash, bathed in warm low-angle golden-hour sun with long shadows across the lawn.

UC Berkeley grad Kim stands on the grass of Memorial Glade holding her navy cap, with Sather Tower rising into a clear blue sky behind her, wearing a white dress and Berkeley Class of 2026 sash in golden-hour light.

Bay Area graduation portrait of a Berkeley grad in a white dress and blue sash spraying champagne on the lawn near Sather

Photo ideas here

Full-body portraits featuring the tower
Low-angle portraits that keep the whole tower in frame
Walking portraits
Wide environmental photos
Candid and celebratory images

Photographer’s tip: The Campanile is one of my favorite stops between Sather Gate and Doe Library. We can adjust the exact order around the light and the crowds.

Hearst Memorial Mining Building

Recommended

The Hearst Memorial Mining Building is another beautiful architectural location for Berkeley graduation photos. It offers a different background from the Campanile and Doe Library, which helps create variety throughout the session.

I recommend it if you love classic campus architecture and want a mix of recognizable university landmarks.

Photo ideas here

Graduation portraits in front of the building
Wide architectural photos
Formal cap-and-gown portraits
Natural smiling portraits

Mining Circle and Rondo II

Recommended

In front of the Hearst Memorial Mining Building is Mining Circle, with a round pool at its center and a distinctive stainless steel sculpture, Rondo II, by sculptor and Berkeley alumnus Bruce Beasley.

It has a different feel from the traditional campus buildings. The water, the sculpture, and the surrounding architecture make it a fun spot for more creative graduation portraits.

Photo ideas here

Portraits beside the water
Frames that include the sculpture
Wide campus photos
Creative portraits with reflections, when the water allows

Photographer’s tip: This is a useful optional stop when we're already at Hearst Mining, since the two spots give you two different backgrounds in one place. The pool isn't always filled and areas can be closed, so I treat it as a bonus.

Cherry Blossoms (seasonal)

Seasonal

Spring is an especially beautiful time for graduation photos at Berkeley. When the trees are flowering, some areas near the campus entrances have cherry blossoms that make colorful, natural backgrounds.

I love these spots for graduates who want something softer and more seasonal than traditional architectural portraits. The blossoms add color and texture to your gallery and pair well with the classic landmarks.

Berkeley graduation portrait under the cherry blossoms

Photo ideas here

Soft portraits framed by blossoms
Close-up portraits with color in the background
Relaxed, candid moments under the trees

Photographer’s tip: March can be a good time to look for blossoms, but the bloom changes from year to year. Stay flexible: the flowers may not be out on your date, and we'll plan the rest of the session either way.

When is the best time to take graduation photos at UC Berkeley?

My two favorite times for UC Berkeley graduation photography are sunrise and golden hour before sunset. Both give softer, more flattering natural light than the harsher light you often get in the middle of the day.

For sunset sessions, I typically start around Sather Gate and work my way through campus before finishing at Doe Library. That saves one of my favorite graduation backdrops for a time when the light is often easier to balance: the building behind you is no longer much brighter than you are, so both you and the architecture can look their best in the same photo.

Sunrise can also be a fantastic option, especially if you'd like to avoid some of the crowds that build later in the day, although a quiet campus is never guaranteed.

My biggest recommendation is to plan your session around the light rather than picking a random open hour. Light changes with the season, the weather, and shade from buildings and trees, so I plan the order of stops around the conditions on your date.

Approximate sunset in Berkeley (mid-month, 2026)

Jan: 5:13 pm
Mar: 7:15 pm
May: 8:11 pm
Jul: 8:30 pm
Sep: 7:17 pm
Nov: 4:58 pm

Calculated times for planning, not a guarantee. Golden-hour sessions usually start about an hour before sunset, and I’ll confirm the exact start time for your date.

Berkeley's weather can change from one day to the next, so no forecast is guaranteed. We'll keep an eye on it together as your date gets closer.

My Favorite UC Berkeley Graduation Photo Route

When I photograph graduation sessions at UC Berkeley, I usually like to begin at Sather Gate and finish at Doe Library. Between those, we can visit the Campanile, the Hearst Memorial Mining Building, and Mining Circle, depending on the time available. In spring, we can add the cherry blossoms when they're in bloom.

My main goal is to finish at Doe Library around sunset, because that's when I often get the most flattering balance of light there. Here's the order I usually start from:

Start at Sather Gate. About this spot
Head to the Campanile. About this spot
Visit the Hearst Memorial Mining Building. About this spot
Add Mining Circle and the Rondo II sculpture. About this spot
Include the cherry blossoms, when they're in season. About this spot
Move to the Doe Library ledge. About this spot
Finish at the front of Doe Library around sunset. About this spot

This is a suggested photography order, not a fixed walking route. I rearrange the middle stops around the light, the crowds, your priorities, and where we meet, to avoid doubling back. The one thing I try to keep is finishing at Doe Library near sunset.

If you'd like photos inside Doe Library, we do those earlier in the session, while there's still plenty of daylight coming through the windows.

Not every stop fits into every session. If time is limited, I prioritize Sather Gate, the Campanile, and the Doe Library area, then choose other stops based on what you care about most. During busy graduation weeks, I build in extra time for waiting at the popular landmarks.

How to Avoid Crowds During UC Berkeley Graduation Season

UC Berkeley is one of the busiest campuses I photograph during graduation season. As commencement approaches, more graduates and photographers gather around the same popular landmarks, especially Sather Gate, the Campanile, and Doe Library.

One of my biggest recommendations is to schedule your session earlier in the season if you can. Weekdays are generally my preferred option, since they give us a better chance of avoiding the busiest crowds.

Even with careful planning, some waiting may still be necessary at popular spots. I always do my best to find good angles, work around other groups, and move efficiently through campus, but especially at peak season it helps to stay flexible. A little patience makes a big difference at Berkeley's most iconic landmarks.

Practical recommendations

Book earlier in graduation season when possible.
Choose a weekday over the busiest weekends.
Consider sunrise for a potentially quieter session.
Leave room in your schedule for delays.
Expect other graduates and photographers at the same landmarks.
Be flexible about the order of the middle stops.
Don't expect an empty background at every landmark.

Champagne-Popping Photos at Berkeley

Champagne pops are one of my favorite ways to celebrate at Berkeley. My go-to spot is the lawn near Doe Library, with the Campanile rising behind you.

Champagne is allowed in your session unless we're told otherwise on the day. If campus staff or an event on site ask us not to, we'll switch to another celebration shot right there.

Bring your own bottle, or I can bring one for you on request. Champagne is a $15 add-on: just request it on your inquiry form.

Request the champagne add-on

Can We Take Photos Inside Doe Library?

Yes. The inside of Doe Library is beautiful, and graduation photos happen there all the time. It works best earlier in the session, while daylight is still coming through the windows, so I'll fit it in before we finish outside at sunset.

Good to know: the UC Berkeley Library's posted policy says staged graduation photos aren't allowed inside its buildings. Inside, we keep it quick and quiet since students are studying, and if staff ask us to wrap up, we head back outside.

Campus closures and construction can change, and some areas may be unavailable on a given day. I check current conditions before your session and adjust the route if a spot is closed.

Bay Area graduation portrait of a UC Berkeley graduate in white dress and blue gold sash seated in a leather wingback library

Official sources: UC Berkeley Library filming and photography · UC Berkeley campus map

Tips for planning your Berkeley graduation session

Tell me your must-have spots

Let me know which landmarks matter most to you. I'll plan the route so we cover them first and fit in others as time allows.

Bring comfortable shoes

We'll walk between several campus spots, so comfortable shoes help. You can switch into your favorite pair for the photos themselves.

Prepare your graduation outfit

Bring your cap, gown, stole, cords, and any meaningful accessories you'd like in the photos.

No posing experience needed

I give posing direction the whole way through, for both classic graduation portraits and relaxed, candid moments.

More from Berkeley graduation sessions

Common questions

Berkeley grad photo FAQ

Where are the best places to take UC Berkeley graduation photos?

My favorite locations include Sather Gate, Doe Library, the Campanile, and the Hearst Memorial Mining Building. I also recommend Mining Circle and the seasonal cherry blossoms for extra variety.

What's the best time for UC Berkeley graduation pictures?

I recommend sunrise or golden hour before sunset. For sunset sessions, I especially like finishing at Doe Library because the light there can be easier to balance.

Where should we start our graduation session?

I typically recommend starting at Sather Gate and making our way through campus before finishing at Doe Library.

Is UC Berkeley crowded during graduation season?

Yes, it can get extremely busy. I recommend booking on a weekday and earlier in the graduation season if possible. Even then, we may need to wait at popular photo spots.

Can we take cherry blossom graduation photos at Berkeley?

Yes, when the trees are blooming and the area is accessible. March can be a good time to look for blossoms, but the exact timing varies from year to year.

Can we take pictures inside Doe Library?

Yes, graduation photos inside Doe Library happen all the time. We go earlier in the session while there's daylight, keep it quick and quiet for students, and head back outside if staff ask, since the Library's posted policy limits staged graduation photos indoors.

Can we take champagne-popping graduation photos?

Yes! Champagne is allowed in your session unless we're told otherwise on the day. My favorite spot is the lawn near Doe Library with the Campanile behind you. Bring your own bottle, or I can bring one on request: it's a $15 add-on you can request on your inquiry form.

How many campus locations can we visit?

It depends on your session length, walking distances, crowds, and how much time we spend at each spot. I'll help you prioritize the ones that matter most to you.

Will you help me pose?

Absolutely! I'll give you posing guidance throughout the session, whether you're looking for traditional graduation portraits or more natural, candid photos.

Plan your Berkeley grad session

Recent Berkeley sessions from the journal:

Berkeley graduation photographer Graduation portfolio Grad pricing Bay Area campus spots What to wear Posing in cap & gown

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