CNU Graduation Photographer

Ferguson Center for the Arts

The Ferguson Center for the Arts is CNU's crown jewel — a world-class performing arts venue that hosts nationally touring artists, symphony orchestras, and theatrical productions. Its stunning classical facade with soaring columns and grand entrance creates one of the most dramatic and elegant graduation portrait backdrops in all of Hampton Roads. For many CNU graduates, the Ferguson Center represents the university's commitment to culture, excellence, and the transformative power of the arts.

The Great Lawn

The Great Lawn is the heart of the CNU campus — a sweeping expanse of perfectly manicured grass bordered by classical architecture and mature trees. It is where students gather between classes, where university events unfold, and where the beauty of the CNU campus is most fully on display. During spring commencement season, the Great Lawn comes alive with graduating Captains and their families, making it one of the most iconic and emotionally resonant graduation photo locations on campus.

Trible Library

Trible Library is the academic heart of Christopher Newport University, housing extensive collections, study spaces, and research resources that support the university's rigorous liberal arts curriculum. Its classical architectural style, with grand columns and symmetrical design, conveys the seriousness and prestige of academic achievement. For graduates who spent countless hours studying, researching, and growing intellectually in Trible Library, it is a deeply meaningful backdrop for graduation portraits.

David Student Union

The David Student Union is the social and organizational hub of CNU, housing dining facilities, meeting spaces, and student organization offices. For many Captains, this is where friendships were forged, campus involvement began, and some of the most memorable moments of college life unfolded. Its prominent position on campus and modern architecture make it a popular and meaningful graduation photo backdrop.

Christopher Newport Hall

Christopher Newport Hall is one of the university's signature academic buildings, featuring the classical architectural style that defines the campus aesthetic. Named after the English sea captain who helped establish the Jamestown settlement, this building embodies the spirit of exploration, leadership, and discovery that CNU instills in its students. Graduation portraits at Christopher Newport Hall carry a sense of institutional pride and historical significance.

Campus Fountains

CNU's campus fountains are elegant architectural features scattered throughout the grounds, adding movement, light, and a sense of tranquility to the campus landscape. The fountains create beautiful foreground and background elements for graduation portraits, especially when photographed during golden hour. Many CNU graduates consider the campus fountains to be one of the most photogenic and memorable features of their university experience.

Traditions & Honors

CNU graduation ceremonies.

Christopher Newport University holds its commencement ceremonies at the Ferguson Center for the Arts and through outdoor ceremonies on campus, celebrating graduates across all academic programs. CNU's intimate size means commencement retains a personal, celebratory atmosphere where every graduate's name is called and every achievement is recognized — a stark contrast to the massive, impersonal ceremonies at larger universities.

The CNU mascot is the Captain, and the school colors are royal blue and silver. CNU's commencement traditions reflect the university's emphasis on leadership, service, and personal development. We recommend booking your graduation portrait session 3-4 weeks before your ceremony to ensure your finished portraits are ready to share with family and display at graduation celebrations.

Academic Culture & Leadership at CNU

Christopher Newport University is nationally recognized for its President's Leadership Program (PLP), a rigorous four-year program that develops students into principled, engaged leaders through a combination of academic coursework, community service, and civic engagement. PLP graduates wear a distinctive stole at commencement, and our portrait sessions are designed to showcase this prestigious honor alongside your cap and gown.

CNU also offers exceptional honors programs across multiple disciplines, with small class sizes, faculty mentorship, and undergraduate research opportunities that rival those of much larger institutions. The university's Division III athletics program emphasizes the student-athlete ideal, with Captains competing at a high level while maintaining strong academic standing.

Whether you are graduating with PLP honors, completing an honors thesis, finishing your senior research project, or celebrating four years as a Captain athlete, we create portraits that honor the breadth and depth of your CNU experience. Bring your honor cords, PLP stole, organizational regalia, athletic gear, and career attire to your session so we can build a composite that tells your complete story.

Session tips for CNU graduates

• Plan your looks. Think about the story you want to tell — graduation, leadership honors, career, personal style. The best composites have 3-4 distinct looks.
• Showcase your honors. Bring your PLP stole, honor cords, departmental awards, and any recognition that represents your CNU achievements.
• Bring career props. Lab coats, stethoscopes, teaching materials, business attire, or any tools of your future trade add depth and meaning to your composite.
• Book with friends. Many CNU graduates book sessions with roommates, teammates, or fellow PLP scholars. Group composites are a great way to celebrate your Captain bond.
• Wear royal blue & silver. Incorporate CNU's colors into your outfit choices for a cohesive, university-proud portrait that shows your Captain spirit.