By Adriana Flores Solis, April 29, 2025
As graduation season approaches for the Class of 2025, many graduates will likely have photoshoots around campus to commemorate their accomplishments. With over 250 unique tree species and almost 8,000 trees on campus, Cal Poly Pomona has a landscape that blooms beautifully in the spring. The greenery and flowers, aired along with perfect lighting in the late afternoon, create great photo backgrounds.
These are the top five picture-perfect spots to visit.
- Rose Garden
Located across from the CLA Building, the Rose Garden is a well-known place on campus with over 230 types of flowers, such as white and yellow roses, daisies and a lavender walkway that leads guests toward the gazebo.
There are seven rose rings that surround the gazebo, which is a favorite spot where past graduates have taken solo and group pictures. The gazebo railing is a popular spot to line any graduation stoles.
The garden typically begins to bloom in late March and is in full bloom by the time graduation ceremonies begin in May.
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- Aratani Japanese Garden
The Japanese Garden is right across University Drive from the Rose Garden. There are two koi fishponds and two small bridges. Plenty of shade is available, as well as an elevated surface that overlooks the entire garden.
Graduates typically pose at either one of the bridges or on the patch of grass that is directly next to the pond.
Juliana Lopez, an English student and prospective Class of 2025 graduate, plans to take graduation photos at the Rose Garden and Japanese Garden.
“I plan on taking my photos with family,” Lopez said. “My parents, because they got me here, and maybe with friends as well.”
- University Plaza fountain (Building 26)
University Plaza, also referred to as the Old Horse Stables, features two locations that graduates utilize for special-occasion photographs.
It’s a hacienda-style building that served as the original Kellogg Arabian horse stables. The fountain is at the center of the plaza, with several department offices in the stables.
The fountain is a spot where past graduates have popped champagne bottles, a popular prop that many graduates bring to a shoot.
Camille Clerc is an aerospace engineering student graduating this spring who will also be taking photos around campus. She plans to stop by the plaza fountain during her photoshoot.
“I’ll probably take grad photos by myself,” Clerc said. “I’ll take photos with my family and friends on actual graduation day because it’s more authentic.”
- University Plaza archway (Building 26)
The CPP archway is at the exterior part of University Plaza, a close distance to the plaza fountain.
The archway provides the school’s name as a background. This location sits at the top of the hill, directly across from the Student Services Building.
A suggested photo is a full body shot, with the archway in the background.
The grass area on top of the hill is also a great spot to take pictures as the sun sets. This site overlooks the Student Services Building and features the mountains in the background.
- The Bronco statue
The Bronco statue has been an iconic part of campus since 2014. The statue is located next to Kellogg Arena and is across from the Bronco Recreation and Intramural Complex (BRIC).
Graduates typically pose in front of the statue or step on top of the leveled surface where the Bronco sits.
CPP mechanical engineering student Bryan Juarez has been a freelance photographer since 2022.
Juarez has done graduation shoots for CPP alumni and photographed other events for family and friends.
“The best time to take photos is going to be within a couple of hours of golden hour,” Juarez said. “Here at Cal Poly, my favorite time is usually after 4 p.m., any time after that until 7 p.m., there is usually good lighting.”
Golden hour is the period of time before sunset. Photographers prefer to take pictures around this time since the lighting is the most ideal.
Juarez has some advice for anyone who may be wondering what poses to do for their photos. He suggests a more casual approach where graduates move naturally, since posing can make someone look stiff.
“Most of the time I try to find something that interests you,” Juarez said. “I know someone who liked dancing, so I had some music in the background, they danced a little bit and they got more comfortable. That’s a way to get a photo where they feel confident, where they feel good about the photo. As long as they’re comfortable, the photos will come out great.”
In addition to these five photo recommendations, there are many more picture-worthy locations on campus.
The Park at Building 98 by the CPP letters, Rain Bird BioTrek, Student Services Building Breezeway and Engineering Meadow provide great backgrounds.
Students should also check out their academic college buildings. All buildings have the college name engraved at the main entrance, such as the College of Business, College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences and the College of Science.
Feature image courtesy of Adriana Flores Solis
