Best Virginia Tech Graduation Photo Locations (2026 Guide)
If you’re searching for the best Virginia Tech graduation photo locations, here’s exactly where to go and when to go there for the best light and least stress. I photograph graduation sessions every spring, and these are the locations that consistently look the best and flow smoothly during my 90-minute evening session.
Burruss Hall
Burruss is the classic graduation photo spot and the iconic landmark Virginia Tech is known for. In late spring evenings, the direct sun disappears behind the building, leaving beautiful, warm, soft light. If you time it right, you can get great backlit photos with the subject sitting on the half wall in front of the steps.
Bring a cheap bottle of champagne to pop off. It makes for awesome and fun photos!
Best time: The hour before sunset. It can actually be fantastic right up to and even slightly beyond sunset. The exterior lights come on by the doors, which makes it feel really special. Most photographers leave too early and miss this magical window.
Worst time: Midday when the sun is directly overhead. Hard contrasty light equals unflattering photos. That’s why you don’t want to get a photographer that shoots all day, which some do. I shoot only one grad a day in the evenings so that I get the best light for them every single time.
It does get crowded at Burruss in late April and early May. A smooth session means movinga few women efficiently and knowing exactly where to position the subject so you’re not waiting around for one doorway shot.
I wish every photographer did this, but here’s the trick: if everyone lines up in a single file from the bottom of the steps up toward the door, we can visually hide people behind each other. It works surprisingly well. That goes for all of your guest in the party too. Either line up in one line in the middle or get way off to the sides. Thank you!
That said, sometimes it’s just packed and you can’t hide everyone. The good news? The background crowd usually blurs nicely (well when you have professional lenses and know how to use them) and ends up looking festive, like one big graduation celebration. You’ll still get a few blurred blogs of people wearing odd colors but hey, we can’t control their fashion choices.
Champagne pops are usually fine here as long as you’re respectful and clean up afterward. Make sure you do it the right way. I can help you with that too!
If you’re looking for a full Virginia Tech graduation photo session, you can see my packages here. And just know, I guide every student so they feel confident and natural. Be sure to use the menu to see all of my portfolio sample pages, which include a few women grad samples and guy grad photo sessions and some cadets grad sessions.
The Pylons
The Pylons are iconic and symbolic. They photograph beautifully at sunset when the Hokie stone warms up and the light softens.
We usually head here after Burruss while the light is still golden.
Crowds really aren’t much of an issue because we can use one of the eight pylons and the space between them as our own little photo studio. There’s always a pylon open. I like to incorporate a lot of walking and movement shots here too. When done right, it almost feels like a French Vogue backdrop.
Hot tips:
Never touch or sit on the monument (the stone cube). It’s a sacred memorial to Virginia Tech veterans.
Also, don’t forget to grab a few shots with Torgersen Bridge in the background.
Torgersen Bridge
No grad session feels complete without a stop at the half wall in front of Torgersen Bridge.
The glass reflects evening light beautifully and is best photographed after Burruss and the Pylons. I usually leave this location for last.
Hot tip:
There’s much more to photograph here than just standing on the half wall. While waiting your turn (yes, there’s often a line), use the green lawn, different bridge angles, and surrounding architecture to get creative. Some of the best shots happen slightly off the obvious spot.
Lane Stadium Practice Field
For sports fans, this one is special.
Access inside the stadium changes year to year, but the practice field behind the Hokietron is usually open. It’s a great starting location before heading toward Burruss. Occasionally it’s locked for football use at random, but that’s okay since it’s really a bonus location to begin with.
Hot tips:
Get “This Is Home” on the back of the Lane Stadium jumbotrong in the background.
Grab a few shots at the tunnel entrance into Lane. Sometimes it’s open and you can touch the Hokie stone!
And don’t forget the glass building nearby. It makes for surprisingly good bonus LinkedIn headshots.
I typically start here, and it sets the tone for the entire session.
When Should You Take Graduation Photos at Virginia Tech?
Evening. Always evening.
In late April and early May, sunset is around 8 PM, so sessions typically start around 6:30 PM. That lower sun creates warmer tones, softer shadows, and a polished look that midday light simply can’t match. If you are looking for someone to take your photos who is a professional and has done hundreds of shoots here, check out my website!
How a Typical Session Flows
A standard session lasts about 90 minutes. We usually:
Start at the practice field
Move to Burruss Hall
Head up to the Pylons
Finish near Torgersen Bridge
I guide you the entire time so it feels relaxed and natural, not stiff or rushed. My goal is to make this one of the most fun and relaxed parts of graduation week.
Final Advice
Campus gets busier every year during peak graduation season. If you want the best timing and the best light, booking early makes a big difference.
If you’re planning ahead for spring 2026, reach out early. The prime sunset spots fill quickly. Visit my Pricing and Contact page.
