How to Take the Best Graduation Photos

Office of Marketing and Communications Director of Photography John T. Consoli ’86, who has been covering the campus since he was a student in the 1980s and is getting ready to celebrate his youngest turning the tassel, and photographer Stephanie Cordle, who came to UMD in 2018 after two decades at newspapers, know every inch of the university, as well as how to show Terps in their best light.

With a modeling assist from marketing intern and communications major Lucy Laboz ’25, they explain how to make UMD’s iconic locations pop, suggest hidden gems to consider away from the Mall, roll out some surprising and useful props and show how to get the most out of shooting with your phone.

When to go:

Earlier or later in the day is better for the most flattering light; avoid having the sun right overhead, which will shade your face awkwardly (especially if you’re wearing a graduation cap). Use your cap creatively as the sun moves, like Laboz, and try looking off to the side to take advantage of the light. On McKeldin Mall, especially, try scheduling your shoot for the morning so the sun can be in front of you if you want the classic shot with the whole ODK Fountain; otherwise, use Main Administration and the Peace Garden as your background in the afternoon.

Don’t be discouraged if you wake up to a slightly gray day. “Think of the clouds as nature’s diffuser,” said Cordle. “It avoids harsh shadows and is great for portraits.”

McKeldin Mall

Standing at the base of the ODK Fountain is a “no-brainer,” said Consoli. Try a wide shot to get the full expanse of the Mall and McKeldin Library in the background. Take advantage of the steps if you’re arranging a group of friends.

Willow Walk offers a shady option with the majestic oak trees framing the walkway. Try getting down low for a more “majestic” shot. And look for the colorful flower beds on the paths leading away from the sundial, which have classic red brick benches and nice nooks for photos.

The “M”

It’s natural to want to stand right in front of it, but avoid blocking it. Instead, move a little farther away and pose with it as an element off to the side, sitting in the grass at the bottom of it, or standing at the top of it.

Testudo Statues

“You can lean on him, do the classic nose rub, or even sit on top for a celebratory pose,” said Consoli. If you go to McKeldin, ask your photographer to back up and get low on the steps for a “hero” shot, and try posing on different sides of the statue.

If you choose the one outside the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center, Testudo is surrounded by trees, and there’s a hint of SECU Stadium in the background. (You can also stop by Moxley Gardens just down the steps.) And there are five more bronze turtles across campus if your first choice has a long line!

Hidden Gems: 

Head down to the Armory and Thurgood Marshall Hall near Baltimore Avenue, where you can lean against the classic white columns of the former or walk through the Do Good Rings outside the latter. If you’re looking for some “M”s as backdrops, head for Gossett Hall, which has a black gate with a big red “M,” or the black fencing between South Campus Commons 1 and 2 and Washington Quad that incorporates a cursive “M” in the middle. “It could be cute to have two people on either side lean on it,” said Consoli.

For spring blooms, Memorial Chapel’s garden is full of native flowers and plants and a variety of benches for seated photos. Around campus, pose with statues of Frederick Douglass at Hornbake Plaza, “Wimpy Kid” Greg Heffley on the ground floor of the Stamp, and of course, the artwork honoring this year’s commencement speaker, Kermit the Frog, and creator Jim Henson ’60, facing Campus Drive just outside of the Stamp.

What to bring:

White posterboard can block out harsh light, which can create awkward shadows, or be used to reflect extra light onto your face from below. Consider taking along a collapsible step stool, too, which can help the photographer shoot from above for a more flattering angle. And throw into a bag a couple of bobby pins or safety pins to help keep your cap in place and pin back your gown if it’s billowing in the wind; a pack of tissues to blot glistening sweat on a warm day; and a comb to give your hair a once-over as you go from location to location. Confetti also adds a celebratory touch—but remember to stick to the biodegradable paper kind, not sparkly plastic.

Get the most out of your phone:

Today’s smartphones often have great cameras and automatically adjust coloring and lighting, so it’s fine to stick to the equipment you have. Selfies are fun, but hand your phone off to a friend and have them stand a little farther back so you don’t get distorted. Shooting in “Live” mode can help non-experts grab the best option from a series of shots, while “Portrait” mode (right) can allow you to adjust the blur in the background so the subject stands out, said Cordle. Remember that the camera is at the top of your phone, so if you turn it upside down, you can get a more dramatic low angle. (Although if you have a talented friend with a DSLR, maybe you can convince them to grab a few shots in exchange for lunch, said Consoli.)

Bonus: The main Commencement ceremony at SECU Stadium

As graduates line up in Jones-Hill House for the processional, grab a photo with the large “M” or the college and schools’ banners. Once you’re out on the field, the “Congratulations” messages and Testudo illustrations on the big screens, as well as the full stadium, could make a nice backdrop. (Remember to ask your friends and family to keep an eye out for you on the big screen so they can capture the moment if you pop up.) UMD mascot Testudo will also be on hand, so try to catch him as he walks around before or after the ceremony. And if you spot Consoli, Cordle or one of the other university photographers or videographers coming your way, flash a big smile—you might end up on UMD’s social media channels or in Maryland Today!