It’s that time of year where Warhawks will be moving onto the next chapter of their life. It has been a long path to get to this moment and you want to savory every second of it. Well, as we all know pictures can be a crucial aspect of that momentous day and the days leading up to commencement. I am here to tell you the best places to take your graduation photos in Whitewater whether on the day of commencement or after you receive your cap and gown.

The Academic Buildings

Graduation photos taken in front of your academic building do more than just look good—they tell your college story. That building is where you spent countless hours learning, growing, and shaping your future. It’s the heart of your major and a symbol of all the hard work you put in. Capturing your achievement in these specific spots gives your photos deeper meaning and a personal touch to your graduation photos.

  • Hyland: There are some places outside of the building and inside that will serve as the optimal places to take your graduation photos. As you can see from the picture, the front of Hyland offers a ledge to sit on and the backdrop is stunning. The next area in Hyland would be to go to the fourth floor of Hyland, take the elevator so you are not sweaty once you get there, and do some poses along the railing so that you can capture the mural on the wall and possibly a sunset. 
  • Upham: The favorite photo spot here is in the courtyard of Upham on the west side of the building. Next, would be to use the staircase that leads to nowhere except to an amazing-looking photo.
  • Winther: Will be blooming with beautiful flowers and other plants offering an amazing backdrop. Feel free to utilize the bench in the front of the building or the ramp that allows for you to stand in front of the flowering plants this is a nature picture that will get all the likes on Instagram!
  • Heide: May seem hard to take pictures in front of, but just like with Hyland, you will need someone to get down low to get that angle and get the building sign in the picture, so you can remember where you spent a lot of time when you were here. There is also a beautiful tree that grows outside of the building which would be good to include if you’re trying to get a more nature-centered picture.
  • Hyer, is my personal favorite photo location, and is the most historic building on campus. When the flowers are blooming, this building offers an amazing background for any photo you want to take. The amazing architecture in front of the building alone will make people looking at your photos feel the history that is associated with that building. Walk up the UC South Mall after and take a few photos of the purple UW Whitewater sign on main street in front of the Alumni Center.
  • Center of the Arts: Not only offers a beautiful backdrop, but also offers different spaces around it, such as the south side of the building features a piece of art that has a range of bright and vibrant colors which will make you pop in the photo. The inside of the building has a couple of different areas to take beautiful pictures, but the atrium is the main area to focus on when it comes to picture taking because of all of the different sitting locations to create a variety of pictures to capture all your favorite memories.

Other Locations

The University Center offers a range of different locations and backdrops for you to make sure you can find all the right lighting and angles. The balcony located on the second floor overlooks the North Mall and Minneiska Springs fountain, which if you are leaning on the railing will make for an amazing photograph. The south-side of the mall in the court will also be a suitable place to take some photos because of the many options for beautiful angles and backdrops, such as the arch at the top of the building and the beautiful flowering plants in the ring. Also, don’t forget about Willie’s bench in the UC and Whitewater mural in front of the Market.

Your freshman year Residence Hall where your college journey began, it is great to get a quick photo in front of your first college home. 

The Minneiska Springs Fountain is the centerpiece of UW-Whitewater and offers a wide range of different backgrounds, such as the waterfalls on both sides of the structure, the multitude of flowering plants on the mound, and the beautiful stones which line the entirety of it. Once the flowers start blooming around the fountain, this area should be your first choice for those stunning pictures you are looking to take for graduation.

Speaking of the hills around the CA, it is important not to forget the historic buildings and gardens that are in the hills of Whitewater, such as the Little Red School House, the Log Cabin and the Campus Memory Garden. The school house could be a fun idea for you because you could pose like it’s the first day of school again. Also, the Memory Garden is a beautiful location from the flowers that bloom, to the old pillars that used to be a part of Old Main (Hyer Hall) which campus puts tassels on for commencement, to the giant purple chair for that fun photo you want to take. These locations are easily accessible and once the flowers start blooming, you will regret not stopping at one of these locations the day you graduate.

The last location on campus that you will not want to forget to get a photo at is at the Warhawk Monument Rock. The primary one that most of you probably have seen at least once in the past four years is located by Perkins Stadium and it makes for a memorable photo that you may even consider making a profile picture after you graduate.

You have worked very hard to get to this point, and you deserve to take away as many memories as you want from this experience. You have met new friends, made life-long connections, and earned an education that will help you in the future in whatever you decide to do. Finish this semester strong, Warhawks!