Top 5 Spots for FSU Graduation Photos
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So, the big day you’ve been waiting for is just around the corner. One more final exam, one more essay, and you get to walk across the bright stage inside the Tallahassee Civic Center to finally get awarded your college degree. Congratulations, you’re almost done! Florida State University has one of the most beautiful campuses in the Southeast and has a plethora of popular photography locations, not to mention a few hidden gems. I’ve had the opportunity to capture beautiful graduation photos all across Florida State University’s campus. In this blog, I’ll be breaking down my top 5 places that I think you should take your college grad photos at FSU, regardless of your major.
The Westcott Fountain
Let's just get this spot out of the way. You can’t have a list of the best places to take cap and gown photos at Florida State without mentioning the gold standard of grad locations. The Westcott Fountain is situated at the top of West College Avenue right down the road from The Donald L. Tucker Civic Center and in front of the Ruby Diamond Auditorium. This fountain is surrounded by several wonderful grad photo ops besides the fountain itself! The beautiful brick entryway from College Avenue, the lush tropical greenery of the surrounding pathways, and of course the massive FSU plaque! All these combine to make the Westcott Fountain a prime location for graduation photography.
But unfortunately, its popularity is its biggest downfall. This lovely location brings with it droves of other soon-to-be college graduates to have their images made in the same spot. This results in long lines with wait times upwards of 1-2 hours just to get a prime spot on top of the FSU plaque. Not to mention the huge groups of grads and their parents, siblings, and photographers cluttering the background once you get your spot! Don’t get me wrong, I love the photos I make for clients in this location. But, knowing how busy it can get in the 1-2 weeks leading up to graduation weekend, I will often urge my clients to consider the other locations on this list. If they insist on having photos made at the Westcott Fountain or Ruby Diamond Auditorium, then the best way to avoid massive crowds is to get photos taken the weekend after graduation or at least 3 weeks prior.
2. Heritage Tower
If you’re even a little familiar with the graduation photos I’ve taken for other FSU clients, you know I love Heritage Tower. This low-key fountain is situated on the east side of Doak Campbell Stadium between the College of Motion Picture Arts and the FSU Flying High Circus. This makes it not only a prime location to have the iconic football stadium in the backdrop of all your photos with the added sparkle from the cascading water. This spot is especially beautiful during golden hour as the sun is setting! The golden light passes through the falling fountain water and creates a shroud of shimmery, warm light that is hard to match anywhere else on Florida State’s campus.
3. Dodd Hall/Heritage Museum
Dodd Hall is a beautiful, classy, and very low-key graduation photography location for students who want to capture some of the historic aspects of FSU’s campus in their grad images. Within Dodd Hall is the famous Heritage Museum. This Museum/study hall hosts a plethora of old photographs and memorabilia that chronicle the rich history of Florida’s oldest university. The stained glass also creates stunning light that is hard to match anywhere else on campus. Major drawbacks to this location, however, include it is open for odd hours during each semester. So if you plan to have your photos taken in this building be sure to check their hours of operation beforehand!
4. Langford Green
Of course, much like the iconic Westcott Fountain, no list of the best places to take your FSU grad photos would be complete without Langford Green. This spacious and scenic spot is perfect for capturing all the classic cap-and-gown moments, offering a wide, open layout that naturally breaks up crowds of sorority and fraternity students. Depending on the timing of your shoot, you might even catch one of those warm, glowing Tallahassee sunsets that make your FSU grad pics stand out even more. The main attraction here is the bold, arching Florida State University sign, perfectly positioned in front of Doak Campbell Stadium and facing Gaines Street—an unbeatable combo of school spirit and stunning backdrop.
From tomahawk chops to champagne pops (my personal favorite), Langford Green is ideal for a variety of poses, whether you're solo or celebrating with friends. In my years of shooting graduation photos, I’ve found very few spots that check as many boxes: a clear view of the sky, strong university identity, and a bit of separation from the busier parts of campus. Langford Green is truly one of the best places for FSU grad pics that feel classic, celebratory, and uniquely yours.
5. The Osceola Unconquered Statue
Langford Green gives you easy access to our final spot on the list: the legendary Unconquered Statue of Osceola. This iconic FSU grad photo location offers incredible possibilities, with the towering figure of Osceola and the backdrop of Doak Campbell Stadium creating a dramatic, school-spirited scene. Much like Langford Green, one of the biggest perks here is the wide open space. Even during peak season for FSU grad photos, the crowds tend to thin out a bit around the statue, making it easier to get those powerful, clutter-free shots. If you're hoping to avoid the rush while still capturing some of the most memorable landmarks on campus, the Unconquered Statue is always one of my top recommendations.
Bonus Location: Owen F. Sellers Music Amphitheater
This open-air venue may not be at the top of a student’s mind if they weren’t a performer, but I’ve always enjoyed the look and appeal of the Owen F. Sellers Amphitheater. The leading lines and tucked away aspects of this spot mean your cap and gown photos will be both visually appealing and unique from your fellow grads. Due to it being tucked away from most major traffic areas of FSU’s campus means this spot is also generally free of major grad photo crowds. Meaning you’ll get this quaint and charming photo spot all to yourself during msot times of the day. No need to get up super early in the morning to claim your photo-op!
This might be a short list, but I’m always on the lookout for hidden gems across FSU’s campus. Sometimes the best grad photo ops are the personal ones—like outside your dorm or in front of your college building. These are just a few suggestions, but your FSU grad pics should reflect what matters most to you. If you (or your soon-to-be grad) are looking for a college graduation photographer in the Tallahassee area, feel free to reach out through my contact page for pricing and to book your time slot!
