A young woman in a white dress and graduation cap smiles, standing outdoors on a campus walkway with orange banners and greenery in the background. She holds a white graduation stole with orange trim and a T on each end.

Graduation Photos at The University of Tennessee (UTK)

I said it’s great TO BE a Tennessee VOL! The University of Tennessee is one of the state’s best places to go to school. UTK is one of the oldest institutions east of the Mississippi River. The school and campus are over 100 years old, with iconic buildings and locations that we all know by heart. So, on-campus graduation photos at the University of Tennessee are a long-standing tradition.

I am a UTK alumnus, and I knew I was meant to be a Volunteer the minute I stepped on campus. I know how important your graduation photos are! Getting your graduation photos done on campus is a great way to capture your accomplishments and memorialize all your happy memories of UTK. The only thing left to do is to plan the shots and take your photos.

A young woman in a white dress and graduation cap poses on campus: on stairs beside University of Tennessee banners, standing on a campus emblem, and next to a dog statue wearing a Tennessee scarf.

Photography Locations Around UTK Campus

There are several ideal places for your graduation photos on the UTK campus. Naturally, you’ll want to get one in front of the iconic Ayers Hall. It is the face of the university! If you’re involved in sports, you might want photos at the Neyland Stadium or to capture the idyllic beauty of Circle Park. You might want a photo with the Torchbearer statue, over The Seal by the library, in front of The Rock, or somewhere special, specifically to you.

Ayers Hall

Ayers Hall is the core image of the university itself. Completed in 1921, it has been part of the university since the school was founded. Its unmistakable red and white brick structure, gothic revival architecture, and distinctive artistic flourishes are hard to miss. Getting photos of yourself in front of Ayers Hall with the whole silhouette of the hall behind you will create an image that is unmistakably UTK.

Neyland Stadium

When many people remember the University of Tennessee, they remember the impressive Neyland Stadium. The stadium is as much a part of the school as Ayers Hall, as it was also completed in 1921 to serve as the home field for the Vols. There are dozens of possible photographic locations, both inside (with a fee) and outside the stadium.

Circle Park

Circle Park has been part of Knoxville since the late 1800s. It is now a favorite gathering spot for students who remember its green spaces and shady trees as central to their college experience. If Circle Park is the perfect backdrop for your graduation photos, we’ll find the ideal place to frame your portrait under the trees in dappled sunlight.

The Torchbearer at Circle Park

The Tennessee Volunteers represent the University and the city of Knoxville. Their spirit is captured in the statue of the Torchbearer or, officially, “The Volunteer,” unveiled in 1968. Students at UTK are familiar with this guy as a constant throughout their days of classes and adventures. A graduation photo with the Torchbearer is UTK tradition.

“The Seal” by John C. Hodges Library

The University of Tennessee’s Seal is embossed in the pavement near the Johnson-Ward Pedestrian Walkway next to Hodges Library. It’s an image every student will forever remember, whether or not you believe in the superstition. Taking your graduation photos with the seal will stand out to every fellow alum who sees your photos in the future.

“The Rock”

For over 50 years, The Rock has become a place of self-expression, individuality, and creativity. It is a special place that is painted and repainted every semester. The Rock is also a great place for photos, with good framing and a memorable location.

Personal Location

Is there a place on campus with special meaning to you that would be the perfect backdrop for your graduation photos? Perhaps it’s your sorority/fraternity house or your major’s main building. It might be a favorite hangout spot where you could always be found during college.

Consider Off-Campus Locations

There are also non-campus locations, such as the UT Gardens or Volunteer Landing, that might be meaningful for your student years.

A young woman in a graduation cap and white dress poses proudly outside a university building, smiling and holding a Tennessee banner, and cheerfully tossing her cap in the air.

Advice for Taking Photos at The University of Tennessee

Capturing the perfect graduation photos at the University of Tennessee takes a little planning and a lot of walking. We can work together to create a successful photo shoot where you look your best in the places most meaningful to you. From my experience, here are a few essential tips on how to rock your on-campus graduation photo shoot.

Be Prepared for a Busy Campus
- UTK is rarely empty. Ayers Hall is also notoriously busy, and using the main stairs for photos is… INTENSE. We’ll want to consider varying spots at Ayers Hall and other busy locations, and how comfortable you are with others in the background.
Be Prepared to Walk
- The campus is BIG (and hilly), and we’ll need to walk to each location. Wear comfortable shoes for walking while bringing along your “fancy” shoes!
Add Time for More Photos
- The more photos you want, the more time it will take. Include prep time for graduation outfits and mortarboard fixes. You’ll need time to put on your graduation outfit, take it off, and change outfits if you want different looks.
Bring a Friend or Family Member
- Friends can help you carry items, adjust outfits, laugh, and feel your best. We all need some good hype people in our lives!
Be Kind To Your Campus
- Confetti and champagne are fun, but they should be limited in their use to respect the campus. After all, you love your clean campus, too.
- You can get free biodegradable confetti from the UT Student Government Association.

A young woman in a white dress and graduation attire poses outdoors, holding a cap in one photo and wearing it with her gown in front of a University of Tennessee sign in the other.

UTK Senior Photographer

When you need a UTK graduation photographer, Erin Morrison Photography is here to capture your special memories in the perfect portraits, action shots, and more. I am an alumnus familiar with many locations on campus and know all the tricks for great graduation photos. Be sure to book early, as April and May are busy months for Knoxville photographers!

Ready to capture memorable graduation photos as you celebrate your degree from the University of Tennessee? Contact me to explore the perfect time and places for your on-campus (and off-campus) photography.