Graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill is an achievement worth celebrating proudly, joyfully, and with timeless photos that capture the beauty and gravity of your journey. As a UNC Chapel Hill graduation photographer, I’ve walked this campus with graduates and their families through some of their most emotional and unforgettable moments. And I can honestly say Carolina is one of the most beautiful college campuses in the country. From its iconic landmarks to its quiet green corners, every part of this place feels full of meaning to UNC-Chapel Hill graduates. Whether you’re planning your own session, surprising your graduate with a portrait gift, or helping someone you love prepare for the big day, these campus photo locations aren’t just scenic. They’re sacred.
Plan Your Dream Grad Photos With These Spots UNC-Chapel Hill Graduates Have Loved
Old Well
No UNC-Chapel Hill graduate session is complete without a stop at the Old Well. Positioned at the heart of campus, this beautiful gazebo with its soft white columns and rounded roof is the university’s most beloved landmark and one of the most popular photo spots for graduates.
There’s tradition here. Every student knows the story: a sip from the Old Well on the first day of classes is said to bring good luck for the year. Now, it’s your turn to return to it, not as a student, but as a graduate. Whether you pose beside it with your diploma or walk thoughtfully past it, this location captures the spirit of Carolina in a single frame.
South Building
Just steps away from the Old Well, South Building is another powerful symbol for graduates of the history and strength of UNC-Chapel Hill. With its stately columns, long brick staircase, and perfect symmetry, it adds a formal, grounded presence to your photo session. I love photographing grads here because of the contrast of the elegant stone and red brick against the softness of your gown or the movement of your cap in the air. It’s the kind of location that feels both strong and warm.
Wilson Library
If you’re looking for timeless elegance, Wilson Library is the place. With its grand steps, carved details, and towering doors, this building delivers portraits that feel polished, sophisticated, and steeped in tradition. This is a favorite location for UNC-Chapel Hill graduates who want a little extra drama in their portraits. Think sweeping gowns, full-length poses, and powerful confidence. I often save Wilson Library for the middle of the session. It’s where the energy rises, and you really start to see your graduate’s pride shine through. It’s also a beautiful place to capture small moments, like adjusting a tassel, holding hands with your parents, or sitting on the steps for a quiet moment of reflection.
Bell Tower
The Morehead-Patterson Bell Tower rises above campus as a reminder of legacy, time, and tradition. Every graduate knows what it feels like to see the tower from a distance and feel the weight of everything they’ve accomplished. Now, it becomes part of your story, too. Photographing UNC-Chapel Hill graduates here is always special. The tower adds height, drama, and symbolism to your session. Whether you’re standing strong beneath it, walking along the pathway with it just over your shoulder, or tossing your cap toward the sky, it’s a place that reminds you of how far you’ve come and how high you’re about to go.
Kenan Stadium
If you’ve ever cheered from the stands at Kenan Memorial Stadium, you know how deeply rooted school spirit runs at Carolina. This is more than just a football field. It’s a place of connection, tradition, and celebration. I love including Kenan Stadium in graduation sessions for students who want to show off their Tar Heel pride. Whether you were in the student section every weekend, played in the band, or just love the energy of this place, it’s an incredible backdrop for bold, joyful portraits. We can shoot from the stands, at the field level, or just outside the gates. This location adds energy to your gallery and shows off the heart of the Carolina experience.
The Upper Quad
For something a little softer and more intimate, the Upper Quad offers lush grass, old brick, and quiet pathways that wind between some of the university’s oldest buildings. It’s the kind of spot where time feels like it slows down a bit. The noise fades. You breathe. The Upper Quad is perfect for relaxed, natural portraits.
Coker Arboretum
Nature lovers, this one’s for you. Coker Arboretum is a hidden gem tucked into the northeastern corner of campus. It’s a five-acre garden filled with flowering trees, winding stone paths, and tucked-away benches that feel like they were made for meaningful moments. This is one of my favorite places to end a UNC-Chapel Hill session with graduates. After the bold architecture and big smiles, the Arboretum brings peace. It’s where you get to slow down, soak it in, and reflect. I often encourage my grads to take a walk, sit among the flowers, or even take their shoes off and feel the earth beneath their feet. These portraits feel soft, romantic, and deeply human.
Your College Building!
Every UNC-Chapel Hill graduate has that one building. The one where everything happened. The place where you pulled all-nighters, gave your first big presentation, found your major, or met your mentor. Whether it’s Carroll Hall, Kenan-Flagler, the School of Education, or somewhere else entirely, your college building deserves a place in your graduation session.
This is where your personal story comes full circle. It’s not flashy, and it’s not always grand, but it’s yours. I usually save this stop for the end of our session, once the nerves are gone and the emotion has settled in. These photos are almost always the ones that mean the most.
UNC-Chapel Hill Graduates Have Endless Possibilities For Graduation Photos
Becoming one of the prestigious UNC-Chapel Hill graduates is about so much more than crossing a stage. It’s about years of growth, late nights, long walks, great friendships, unexpected challenges, and becoming someone stronger than you ever imagined. It’s about roots and wings. Pride and possibility. This campus was your home for all of it, and your photos should honor that.
As a UNC Chapel Hill graduation photographer, my job isn’t just to take pictures. It’s to help you hold onto this moment forever. From iconic stops like the Old Well and Bell Tower to the quiet corners that feel uniquely yours, we’ll create a gallery that celebrates everything you’ve achieved. If you’re ready to turn your Carolina story into memories that last a lifetime, let’s plan your UNC-Chapel Hill graduation session. I’d be honored to walk this campus with you one more time.
