California
Graduation photos · Los Angeles
In short
Graduation photos in Los Angeles starts at $295: 60 min on location with a photographer who works in Los Angeles, and 30 edited photos delivered to a private gallery within 5 business days.
Why choose Graduation photos in Los Angeles?
Graduation photos in Los Angeles are a one-hour campus session across two landmarks that delivers 30 retouched photographs, priced from $295. The city’s two largest campuses, UCLA in Westwood and USC in University Park, sit on opposite sides of the city, so a family with graduates at both books two sessions rather than one. Most Los Angeles commencements fall between May and June, which is also marine-layer season: a 10am campus session in Westwood often runs under a flat gray sky that flatters a black gown. The shot list is set by the school’s own architecture — brick arcades in Westwood, Romanesque red brick in University Park — and the family group frame is planned for open lawn.
Worth knowing about Los Angeles
UCLA Policy 863 requires a permit from the UCLA Events Office for any photography on campus whose copyright The Regents will not own, commercial or not, and only unobtrusive visitor snapshots are exempt. A hired graduation session at Royce Hall therefore sits under the Events Office rather than under FilmLA, and the photographer confirms the campus permit with that office before the date is fixed.
What does the session in Los Angeles look like?
- Royce Hall and Dickson Court, UCLA
- The twin towers behind a cap toss, with the lawn in front large enough for a family of fifteen.
- Janss Steps, UCLA
- A broad brick stairway for stacking a friend group in rows, everyone’s face visible without a ladder.
- Bovard Auditorium and Trousdale Parkway, USC
- Red brick and arches for the University Park graduate, at its best in the first hour after sunrise.
What does graduation photos in Los Angeles include?
- 30 retouched photographs
- Two campus locations chosen for the school’s landmarks
- Solo, family and friend-group frames
- Private online gallery within 5 business days
- Print release for personal use
FAQ — Graduation photos in Los Angeles
Do I need permission for graduation photos on the UCLA campus?
Yes, for a hired photographer. UCLA Policy 863 treats photography on campus that UCLA will not own as External Use, and every External Use shoot needs a permit issued by the UCLA Events Office; the incidental exemption covers only unobtrusive visitor and tourist photography. The graduation booking includes checking that permit with the Events Office in advance.
Should Los Angeles graduation photos be taken during commencement week?
Usually a week or two earlier. During commencement week at UCLA and USC the landmark spots draw queues of graduates in gowns, and ceremony set-up can close parts of the lawns. A Los Angeles graduation session booked one or two weeks before the ceremony gets the same gown, the same towers and an empty frame, and the 30 retouched photographs arrive in time for announcements.