University Graduate Portrait
A confident Monarch celebrates their ODU achievement with a bold, professionally lit graduation portrait.
Old Dominion University Graduation Photography
Old Dominion University is the largest university in Hampton Roads, with approximately 23,743 students enrolled across its Norfolk campus. Founded in 1930 as a division of William & Mary, ODU has grown into a nationally recognized research institution and a cornerstone of the Norfolk community. Whether you are completing your undergraduate degree or walking across the stage with your master's or doctorate, graduating from ODU is a milestone that deserves to be celebrated with portraits as bold and ambitious as your future.
At Motiontography, we specialize in creative graduation portraits and composite sessions that go far beyond the standard cap-and-gown photo. Our studio sessions capture the full story of your ODU experience — your academic accomplishments, your Greek life, your career aspirations, and the personal journey that brought you to commencement day. We understand the pride that comes with being a Monarch, and we channel that energy into every frame.
Our professional studio in Suffolk, VA is approximately 40 minutes from the ODU campus via I-264, making it an easy drive for Monarchs who want polished, magazine-quality graduation photos with professional lighting and creative direction you simply cannot get from a quick campus snapshot.
Why ODU Graduates Choose Motiontography
Creative Composites: Unique multi-look portraits combining your cap and gown with career attire and Greek letters.
Convenient Location: About 40 minutes from ODU's Norfolk campus via I-264.
5-Star Quality: 36+ happy clients with a perfect rating. Professional, fun experience every time.
Monarch Pride: We capture your ODU slate blue and silver pride with expert lighting and artistic vision.
Iconic ODU Campus Photo Locations
Old Dominion University's sprawling Norfolk campus is filled with landmarks that make stunning backdrops for graduation portraits. While our studio sessions deliver the most polished, professionally lit results, these are some of the most popular ODU locations our graduates love to reference in their composite designs:
Ted Constant Convocation Center (Chartway Arena)
The Ted Constant Convocation Center, now known as Chartway Arena, is the heart of ODU athletics and the venue where thousands of Monarchs walk across the stage during commencement. This 9,500-seat arena hosts multiple graduation ceremonies across ODU's eight colleges throughout the spring season. Posing in front of the arena is a rite of passage for ODU graduates, and we love incorporating this iconic landmark into our composite designs.
Monarch Way
Monarch Way is the main pedestrian corridor that runs through the center of campus, connecting academic buildings, residence halls, and student gathering spaces. Lined with trees and university banners in ODU's signature slate blue and silver, Monarch Way represents the daily journey every student takes through their academic career. It is one of the most recognizable campus views and a natural choice for graduation portraits.
Kaufman Mall
The beautifully landscaped Kaufman Mall is ODU's central green space, offering open lawns, mature trees, and elegant walkways that create a classic collegiate backdrop. During spring, Kaufman Mall comes alive with graduating students taking photos amid blooming flowers and campus architecture. The lush greenery and architectural symmetry make this a timeless location for graduation portraits.
University Village
University Village is the modern mixed-use development along Monarch Way that has become a symbol of ODU's growth and revitalization. With its contemporary architecture, restaurants, and student-oriented spaces, the Village represents the vibrant, forward-looking energy of today's ODU. Graduates who spent their college years enjoying the Village's shops and eateries love capturing that chapter of their story in their portraits.
Webb University Center
The Webb University Center serves as the social hub of campus, housing dining facilities, meeting rooms, and student organization offices. For many Monarchs, the Webb Center was where friendships were forged, study groups met, and campus involvement began. Its central location and distinctive architecture make it a meaningful backdrop for graduates who want to honor the everyday moments that defined their ODU experience.
Oceanography Building & Globe Sculpture
ODU is internationally recognized for its oceanography and climate science programs, and the Oceanography Building's distinctive globe sculpture has become an unofficial campus landmark. Science, engineering, and environmental studies graduates especially gravitate toward this spot, which symbolizes ODU's commitment to global research and discovery.
Lion Sculpture
The proud lion sculpture on campus is a popular photo spot for ODU students and visitors alike. Symbolizing strength and leadership, the lion pairs perfectly with graduation portraits that aim to convey confidence and accomplishment. Many graduates make it a tradition to take a photo with the lion before and after completing their degrees.
ODU Graduation Ceremonies
Old Dominion University holds multiple commencement ceremonies each spring to accommodate graduates from its eight colleges: the College of Arts and Letters, Strome College of Business, Darden College of Education and Professional Studies, Batten College of Engineering and Technology, College of Health Sciences, College of Sciences, Honors College, and the Graduate School. Ceremonies are typically held at Chartway Arena (formerly Ted Constant Convocation Center) over multiple days in May, with each college holding its own dedicated ceremony.
With nearly 24,000 students, ODU's commencement season is one of the largest in Virginia. We recommend booking your graduation portrait session 3-4 weeks before your ceremony to ensure you have your finished portraits in time to share with family and display at graduation celebrations.
Monarch Life & Greek Organizations at ODU
Old Dominion University's mascot is Big Blue, the Monarch lion, and the school colors are slate blue and silver. Monarchs carry a fierce pride in their university, from cheering on ODU athletics at S.B. Ballard Stadium to building lifelong connections through campus organizations.
ODU has an active Greek life community with chapters from the National Pan-Hellenic Council (the Divine Nine), the Interfraternity Council, and the National Panhellenic Conference. Greek organizations are a defining part of the ODU experience for many students, and our composite portrait sessions are the perfect way to celebrate your Greek letters alongside your academic achievement. Whether you are representing Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Alpha Phi Alpha, or any other chapter, we create portraits that honor your organization's legacy and your personal journey.
Beyond Greek life, ODU is home to hundreds of student organizations, honor societies, ROTC programs, and cultural groups. We encourage every graduate to bring items that represent their campus involvement — from honor cords and organizational stoles to career-related props — so your portraits tell the complete story of your ODU experience.
Types of ODU Graduation Sessions
We offer several session formats designed specifically for Old Dominion University graduates:
Campus-Inspired Studio Shoots
Our studio sessions use professional lighting, custom backdrops, and creative direction to produce graduation portraits that rival anything you could achieve on campus — with the added benefit of controlled lighting, no weather worries, and a comfortable environment. We can incorporate ODU-themed elements and colors into your backdrop and styling.
Studio Composite Portraits
Our signature composite sessions combine multiple looks into one stunning piece of art. Popular combinations for ODU graduates include cap and gown paired with Greek letters, a career outfit (scrubs, business suit, lab coat), and a casual or cultural look. The result is a single portrait that tells the full story of who you are.
Cap & Gown + Career Outfit Combos
Transitioning from student to professional? Many ODU graduates choose a session that features both their cap and gown and their career attire — nurses in scrubs, business grads in suits, engineers with hard hats, teachers with classroom props. These portraits celebrate not just where you have been but where you are going.
ODU Graduation Portrait Gallery
From classic cap and gown portraits to creative composite masterpieces for Monarch graduates.
Multi-Look Composite
Combining graduation, military service, and sorority pride in one stunning composite — a favorite among ODU graduates.
Graduation to Career
From ODU diploma to dream career — this composite showcases academic achievement, professional ambition, and Greek life in a single frame.
Nursing Graduate
ODU's School of Nursing produces exceptional healthcare professionals. This portrait celebrates the transition from student nurse to practicing clinician.
Monarch Elegance
A polished studio portrait capturing the elegance and confidence of an Old Dominion University Monarch.
ODU Strong
Bold composition and confident posing celebrate the strength of this ODU graduate.
Slate Blue Pride
Personal style and Monarch pride come together in this stylish ODU graduation portrait.
Monarch Rising
Creative lighting and expert direction capture the rising ambition of this ODU Monarch graduate.
What ODU Graduates Are Saying
"The composite with my nursing scrubs and graduation gown is hanging in my parents' living room. Roger made the session so fun and the photos exceeded my expectations!"
— Keisha, ODU Nursing Graduate
"I graduated from ODU's Strome College of Business and wanted photos that showed both my academic achievement and my professional side. Roger created an incredible composite with my cap and gown, a sharp suit, and my fraternity letters. The quality blew me away — it looks like something out of a magazine."
— Marcus D., ODU Business Graduate
ODU Graduation Photography FAQs
Common Questions
How much do ODU graduation photos cost?
Sessions start at $199 for basic cap and gown portraits. Creative composite sessions with multiple looks range from $350-$500+.
Can you take photos on the ODU campus?
We specialize in studio sessions at our Suffolk location, about 40 minutes from ODU. Our studio delivers the most polished, professionally lit results. We can discuss campus sessions at landmarks like Kaufman Mall and Monarch Way for an additional fee.
When should I book my ODU graduation session?
Book 3-4 weeks before commencement. Spring (April-May) is our busiest season, so early booking is essential to secure your preferred date.
What should I bring to my session?
Bring your ODU cap and gown, honor cords, stoles, and any Greek letters or organization regalia. We recommend 1-2 additional outfits — a career look and a casual or cultural outfit for a full composite.
Do you photograph ODU Greek organization portraits?
Absolutely! We regularly photograph ODU Greek members, including Divine Nine chapters and other fraternities and sororities. Our composite sessions are ideal for combining Greek letters with your cap and gown and career attire.
Session Tips for ODU Graduates
Plan Your Looks
Think about the story you want to tell — graduation, Greek life, career aspirations, cultural heritage. The best composites have 3-4 distinct looks.
Book Early for Spring
ODU's spring commencement draws thousands of graduates. Book your session 3-4 weeks ahead to secure your preferred date.
Bring Props That Matter
Honor cords, fraternity/sorority letters, stethoscopes, laptops, hard hats, or any tools of your future trade add depth and meaning to your composite portrait.
Coordinate Group Sessions
Many ODU graduates book group sessions with line sisters, line brothers, or classmates for dual or trio composites. It is a great way to celebrate your Monarch bond.
Wear Monarch Colors
Incorporate ODU's slate blue and silver into your outfit choices for a cohesive, university-proud portrait that shows your Monarch spirit.
Ready to Celebrate Your ODU Achievement?
Book your Old Dominion University graduation photography session today. Let's create portraits that capture this incredible Monarch milestone!
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