9 spots to take
UC Irvine grad photos.
Designed around a circle, UCI’s campus boasts Aldrich Park right in the center. The park consists of varieties of trees and flowers that you can take advantage of for your photos.
Encircling the park, numerous buildings can be found in brutalist, postmodern, and contextual architectural styles. If you spent some time in these buildings, they can work as lovely backdrops.
Here are some of the most popular spots for graduation portraits at the University of California, Irvine.
1. langson library.
With its curved concrete facade, Langson Library showcases UC Irvine’s brutalist aesthetic. The repeating curvature and tiles that make up the exterior, center around the subject, making it a fantastic spot for graduation portraits.
Directions to the library: Google // Apple
2. arts bridge and pathway.
Bridges at other schools can look pretty bland, but UCI did an outstanding job with the design of this one. And the pathway leading up to the bridge has bricks arranged in a way that has lines leading into the subject. Surprisingly, not many grads take photos here.
Directions to Arts Bridge: Google // Apple
3. aldrich park red flowers.
These flowers line inner ring road between Gateway Study Center and Langson Library. The red hue of the flowers contrasts well with the blue UC Irvine stole.
These flowers tend to blossom more in the spring. So, during winter or fall, you might not see as many flowers.
Directions to the flowers: Google // Apple
4. aldrich park (as a background).
Near the red flowers, there are succulents and other plants that work as both foreground and background. Also, the ledge between Langson Library and Gateway Study Center is great for sitting shots that frame all of Aldrich Park in the back. The edges of the park slope inwards allowing you to capture the expansive beauty of the park.
Note: These two spots are right next to the red flowers, so you can’t miss them.
5. aldrich park benches.
The sun shining through the jacaranda tree and the grassy lawn work in harmony together to make your photos colorful and vibrant. If you want the aesthetic of the deep purple flowers, schedule your session in the spring.
This is one of the more popular spots at UC Irvine, so if you see other grads taking photos here, then you’re in the right place. If you still can’t find it, walk between Anteater Learning Pavilion and the center of Aldrich Park, and you’ll pass by these benches.
Directions to Infinity Fountain: Google // Apple
7. MSTB plant arches.
This location is a bit out of the way and is located near the Multipurpose Science and Technology Building. You can position yourself in the center of the arches, and you’ll have this cool framing of the greenery in the back.
The leaves are more abundant during the spring and early summer. Also, lines do form at this location, so I highly recommend starting at this location and getting there early.
Directions to MSTB: Google // Apple
8. science library.
Some will say that Science Library was inspired by Star Trek’s USS Enterprise (although there is no proof for this). The library has one of the largest collections that's dedicated to science, technology, and medicine in the nation. Fun fact: the decision to build this library was made over funding a new football team.
Directions to the library: Google // Apple
9. peter the anteater statue.
Peter is the face of UC Irvine! In fact, amongst NCAA schools, it’s the only one to have an anteater as its mascot.
The statue sits in front of Bren Events Center and greets visitors as they walk into the venue. Compared to other spots, it is a bit out of the way, but if you want to show off your anteater pride, then it might be worth it. Zot zot!
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