By Mark Siquig
Aside from the popular Go Beach sign location, Long Beach State offers many spots around campus for students to snap their graduation photos. Some locations are underrated and others are popular for a reason, like the Walter Pyramid.
The Walter Pyramid
The most frequented photo location on campus is likely the Walter Pyramid on Merriam Way. The bright blue pyramid offers a great background for full shots, portraits and detail shots. The background can either show a wide view of the pyramid, making it clear that the student is at Cal State Long Beach, or it can be cropped in and more subtle.
Third-year political science major Andrew Miller poses behind the Walter Pyramid for a portrait shot. The pyramid is an iconic landmark in the city of Long Beach and a popular location for photoshoots. Photo credit: Mark Siquig
The pyramid is a perfect location for student-athletes to have their graduation shoot. The best time to take the photos would be on a sunny day during golden hour or around sunset.
The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden
The Japanese Garden’s mission statement is “to provide a place of refuge, beauty and learning for all who enter its gates,” making it a great spot for natural graduation photos.
Third-year journalism and international studies double major Ascah Lemma poses for a portrait shot in the Japanese garden on campus. The garden is a very popular spot for graduation shoots because of its greenery and variety of locations to shoot from. Photo credit: Mark Siquig
The garden has a pond and four viewing areas to look stand near the water for a great photo. The best time for photos is in the morning, late afternoon or in shaded areas around noon for softer lighting.
University Student Union Walkways
The staircase that leads down to the University Student Union is a great spot for pictures because of its vibrant green lawns and offers a nice background under the trees and foliage.
Kyle Yang graduated from CSULB in 2021 with a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering. Yang poses for a portrait on the long stairs next to the University Student Union. This is a popular spot because of how the greenery of the plants pops out in the photos. Photo credit: Mark Siquig
This location is great as well for portrait shots, as it leads down to Friendship Walk. The best time to have a photoshoot is during the early morning before the sun rises over the trees.
Brotman Hall Courtyard
The Brotman Hall fountain is another great location for a graduation shoot. It’s a very bright area during all parts of the day due to its lack of shade or surrounding buildings. The fountain installations are a distinct feature of Long Beach State and provide an interesting artistic design behind the subject.
Fourth-year public relations major J’Shawn Lyons poses for an overall shot in front of the Brotman Hall fountain during golden hour. The fountain has been part of many graduation shoots because the moving water provides a vibrant and unique background for overall shots. Photo credit: Mark Siquig
The best time to have a photoshoot in this location is golden hour, using the sun to create warm and well-lit shot.
Carlson Bloc Bell Tower
An underrated spot for graduation photos, the Carlson Bloc Bell Tower, is located next to the Hall of Science. The 65-foot tower is a great place for portraits standing in front of the bell tower.
Fourth-year journalism major Maher Basharahil takes a portrait headshot behind the Carlson Bloc Bell Tower next to the Hall of Science. The bell tower is an underrated spot, as it stands in an open area, which is good for portrait shots. Photo credit: Mark Siquig
The best time to take photos at the tower is during the afternoon. As there is minimal shade, its recommend to shoot once the sun is aligned to the tower.
The CSULB campus offers many spots for a graduation shoot, and these locations can be a starting point. Take advantage of our beautiful campus and smile.
