Explore LNK: Graduation Photo Spots
Graduation season is upon us, which means graduation photos are just around the corner too. Whether you are looking for spots to capture graduation celebrations with friends or go solo — these locations make for the perfect backdrop. Congratulations, graduates!
Sunken Gardens
2600 D Street
The Sunken Gardens are a key attraction here in Lincoln and make for a beautiful backdrop for your photos when the flowers are in bloom.
Sheldon Museum of Art
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 12th and R St
Sheldon is gorgeous inside and out! Looking for a neutral background? The white marble exterior offers a clean backdrop for you to shine. Head just south of the entrance for full pink flowering trees in the spring or contact the museum for information on taking photos inside the building.
Your favorite coffee shop
Do you have a favorite local coffee shop that’s fueled your college journey? Stop by, enjoy a cup of joe and snap some pictures to commemorate all the memories. Here is a list of local coffee shops where you may want to consider taking photos.
Memorial Stadium
One Memorial Stadium Drive
Memorial Stadium is a fan favorite not only for football, but also for photos! Some of students’ best memories are behind these gates, so it makes perfect sense to stop by and gather some graduation photos. Be sure to snag a photo at the gate that’s number that corresponds to your graduation year (for example, gate 24 for class of 2024)
Gallery Alley
719 P Street
Tucked away between the Creamery Building and Burkholder lies a beautiful gallery of color and lights (the perfect backdrop for graduation photos). As a bonus, head down to the Haymarket and grab a few photos in multiple locations by yourself or with a group of friends.
Nebraska State Capitol
1445 K St
The Capitol is picture-perfect around every corner, but did you know there’s a beautiful courtyard in the middle? Explore inside and head to the top levels for the best lighting.
Parking Garage
625 Stadium Dr
The top level of the Stadium Drive parking garage gives an incredible view of Memorial Stadium and is a great spot to take photos with a group of friends. Plus, it’s conveniently located right on campus and a short jaunt from some of the other photo spots in this list.
East Campus
1324 Campus Drive
East Campus is home to so many picture-perfect spots. Here are a few ideas to consider:
- Perin Porch
- Dairy Store
- Maxwell Arboretum
Bill Harris Iron Horse Park
235 N 7th St
While you are down in the Haymarket grabbing dinner or enjoying ice cream, stop by the Bill Harris Iron Horse Park. The train here is an iconic Lincoln symbol and makes trendy vintage graduation pictures.
Love Library
1318 R St
We love any opportunity to take a photo of this campus centerpiece. Here are some ideas of locations throughout the library that are worth stopping by during graduation weekend:
- The second-floor stacks
- Gates on the south side of the library
- South side greenspace
Outside of your college building
You’ve spent most of your college years within the walls of your college’s building, so you might as well that a photo there, right? Best of all, head over to your college with a group of your classmates that survived the hardest finals, most engaging group projects or those who spent countless hours alongside you as you have gotten to this point.
Benches Outside the Lied Center
301 N 12th St
Right outside the Lied and throughout the Sheldon Garden bloom breathtaking magnolia trees. At their peak, these trees are bright pink and make the ideal picture background. You’ll want to keep an eye on these and snap photos when they are at their peak this spring!
Morrill Hall
645 North 14th Street
Let’s face it, all those lucky high-fives with Archie have gotten you to this point. Repay Archie by including him in some of your commencement photos! Plus, everyone could use one more lucky high-five before crossing the stage, right?
Wick Alumni Center
1520 R St
Nothing says “soon-to-be alum” quite like taking photos at the Wick Alumni Center! Stop by on a sunny day and snap some shots by the Big Red ’N’ or head inside and find your home state’s license plate on display in the lobby.
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