We Waited in Line… for a Photo? Yes—And It Was Worth It for this Texas Tech grad photoshoot.
It’s not every day you find yourself waiting in line—at a college campus—to take a photo. But that’s exactly what happened during Madi’s Texas Tech grad photoshoot. We weren’t alone out there. Graduation season was in full swing, and it seemed like every other Lubbock photographer and their client had the same idea. At times, we waited 20+ minutes just to snap a single frame at the most iconic spots on campus.
We basically had so much time to chat and once we finally made it to the spot, Madi? She absolutely owned every moment of it. It can be so hard trying to find a balance of how much time you are spending in these hot spots on campus. By the time we would get up to the spot we had a plan in place. What poses we were doing, variations of those poses and what angles I would focus on. Because the last thing you want to do is get up to a spot where 12 other photogs and their clients are now all watching you and you completely blank on what you envisioned.
Madi’s Story: A Grad Session to Remember
From the second Madi showed up in her black dress with all the confidence, I could tell this would be a good session. Despite the lines, she brought all the excitement and crazy fun vibes to her Texas Tech grad photoshoot. I also had to do a double take, because with her fresh cut and hair color she was stunning and looking like Debby Ryan from TV series, Insatiable.
As we waited near Memorial Circle for the Texas Tech seal, we had already decided we were bonded forever—I am just going to have to follow her around on all her future adventures and capture all her memories. We laughed, we shared absolutely crazy stories, hyped up others in their poses, babes it was altogether good vibes.
Top 3 Most Popular Texas Tech Grad Photo Locations
So where exactly are all the grads—and photographers—flocking to for their Texas Tech grad photoshoots? These spots are always in demand:
- The Texas Tech Seal at Memorial Circle It’s a must-have. This iconic spot represents the heart of the university, and grads line up literally for the chance to pose in front of it. Many people pop champagne in front of it. And side not some pop confetti (DON’T DO THAT…. it’s annoying babes and littering). After you capture these iconic shots take a dip in the fountain right behind the seal for another iconic shot.
- The Geosciences Building Stairs: These steps offer a classic and timeless backdrop—perfect for editorial-style portraits or full-body cap and gown shots. Now in prom season, avoid at all costs, this is where they flock to!
- The Arches Beside Geosciences: Architectural elegance meets moody shadows—my favorite combo. The composition of these photos in this location are always so cool with the leading lines and depth of field in the tunnel. These arches frame grads in a way that feels cinematic.
FAQ: How Long Does the Line Get at the Texas Tech Seal?
A lot of people ask: “How long will I have to wait for a photo at the seal?” The answer? You literally never know until you get there. During peak grad season, lines can stretch from 45 minutes to an hour and a half—sometimes even longer on weekends. That’s why I always recommend patience, flexibility, and bringing water (trust me). While Madi and I were waiting for these photos we opted to come back after the sun had set because we didn’t want to waist any time. So if you scroll to the end of her gallery you will see those photos are after the sun has gone down. You absolutely need a flash for these photos at night. Especially to combat the extremely yellow lights that are lighting up the seal.
Another way to avoid this is picking other spots on campus that you love but don’t get shown as much love with all photogs. I always say there are not many ugly spots on campus, and you really cannot choose wrong. Check out this blog where we took some amazing shots in the library!
Tips to Make the Most of Your Texas Tech Grad Photoshoot
If you’re thinking about booking your own session, here are a few tips to make the most of it:
- Plan ahead: Consider early mornings or weekdays to avoid heavy crowds. Never schedule on a game day, you will not find parking anywhere.
- Bring outfit options: Something sentimental (like your stole or jersey) and something stylish to mix things up.
- Be open to movement: Walking, laughing, spinning—it all brings energy to your photos.
- Trust your photographer: I’ll guide you every step of the way so even in the chaos, your vision comes to life. Chaos just happens to be my favorite, noted by the fact that I literally have it tattooed on my arm. lol. We are going to vibe out and have the best time.
Question for You:
If you had to pick one spot on campus that holds the most meaning to you, where would it be?
Let’s Make It Happen
Crowds or not, your grad photos should feel like you. If you’re dreaming about a moody, story-driven Texas Tech grad photoshoot that captures who you really are—let’s talk.
Lets chat to start planning your session and make your grad story unforgettable.
