Campus Graduation Portrait
A William & Mary graduate celebrates in green and gold, capturing the beauty of a campus steeped in over 300 years of American history.
William & Mary Graduation Photography
The College of William & Mary is the second-oldest university in the United States, founded in 1693 in Williamsburg, Virginia. With approximately 9,762 students, William & Mary combines the intimacy of a small liberal arts college with the research opportunities of a major university. Its campus is a living monument to American history, featuring buildings that predate the nation itself and traditions that connect today's graduates to a lineage stretching back more than three centuries. Graduating from William & Mary is not just earning a degree — it is joining a legacy that includes Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, John Marshall, and countless other leaders who shaped the course of history.
At Motiontography, we understand the profound significance of a William & Mary graduation. Our creative graduation portraits and composite sessions are designed to capture the unique blend of historic prestige, academic rigor, and personal achievement that defines the W&M experience. We create portraits that honor the weight of your accomplishment and the beauty of the campus where it took place.
Our professional studio in Suffolk, VA is approximately 49 minutes from the William & Mary campus via I-64. While the drive is a bit longer than for some Hampton Roads universities, our clients consistently tell us the trip is well worth it for the level of creative quality, professional lighting, and artistic direction we deliver.
Why William & Mary Graduates Choose Motiontography
Creative Composites: Multi-look portraits combining your cap and gown with career attire and personal style.
Worth the Drive: About 49 minutes from W&M's Williamsburg campus via I-64.
5-Star Quality: 36+ happy clients with a perfect rating. Professional, fun experience every time.
Historic Prestige: We capture your W&M green, gold, and silver pride with the artistry it deserves.
Iconic William & Mary Campus Photo Locations
William & Mary's campus is unlike any other in the United States. Its historic buildings, sweeping lawns, and proximity to Colonial Williamsburg create a setting that is unmatched for graduation portrait photography. While our studio sessions deliver the most polished, professionally lit results, these are the iconic W&M locations our graduates love to reference and incorporate into their composite designs:
The Wren Building
The Wren Building is the single most important structure on the William & Mary campus — and one of the most historically significant academic buildings in the world. Constructed in 1695, it is the oldest academic building in continuous use in the United States. The Wren Building has witnessed more than three centuries of American education, and its iconic facade — with its red brick, white trim, and cupola — is recognized around the globe as a symbol of academic excellence. For W&M graduates, the Wren Building is not just a backdrop; it is a sacred space where tradition, history, and personal achievement converge. Graduation portraits featuring the Wren Building carry an unparalleled sense of gravitas and historical significance.
The Sunken Garden
The Sunken Garden is the iconic green corridor that stretches from the Wren Building to the heart of campus, bordered by the historic colonial-era buildings of the original campus. Its perfectly manicured lawn, framed by mature trees and classical architecture, creates a breathtaking natural amphitheater that has been the setting for countless moments of campus life — from frisbee games to candlelight ceremonies. For graduation portraits, the Sunken Garden offers a sweeping, cinematic backdrop that captures the timeless beauty and academic tradition of William & Mary.
Crim Dell Bridge
The Crim Dell Bridge is one of the most beloved and photographed landmarks on the William & Mary campus. This elegant wooden footbridge spans the Crim Dell pond, surrounded by lush vegetation and reflecting waters that create a serene, romantic setting. Campus legend holds that if two people cross the bridge together, they are destined to marry — unless one of them throws the other in the water. For graduation portraits, Crim Dell Bridge provides an intimate, picturesque backdrop that is uniquely and unmistakably William & Mary.
Swem Library
Earl Gregg Swem Library is the main research library at William & Mary, housing millions of volumes and serving as the intellectual hub of the university. For graduates who spent countless hours in Swem's reading rooms, special collections, and study carrels, it is a deeply personal landmark. The library's modern architecture, combined with the gravitas of its collections, makes it a meaningful and visually compelling graduation portrait location.
Lake Matoaka Amphitheatre
The Lake Matoaka amphitheatre is a hidden gem on the William & Mary campus — a natural outdoor performance venue nestled along the shores of Lake Matoaka. The amphitheatre has hosted generations of W&M theatrical productions, concerts, and community gatherings. Its wooded setting, stone seating, and lakeside views create a uniquely atmospheric and dramatic backdrop for graduation portraits that feel both natural and theatrical.
Colonial Williamsburg Backdrop
No other university in America can claim Colonial Williamsburg as its next-door neighbor. The world's largest living history museum, with its meticulously restored 18th-century buildings, cobblestone streets, and colonial gardens, provides an absolutely unmatched backdrop for graduation portraits. Walking through Colonial Williamsburg in your cap and gown connects your personal achievement to the very birthplace of American democracy. We can incorporate Colonial Williamsburg's historic aesthetic into our studio composite designs or discuss on-location sessions in the historic area.
William & Mary Graduation Traditions
William & Mary has some of the most distinctive and cherished graduation traditions of any university in America, reflecting its unique position as a bridge between colonial history and modern academic excellence:
Walking Through the Wren Building
One of the most powerful William & Mary traditions is the act of walking through the Wren Building. Students enter through the Wren Building at the beginning of their W&M journey during convocation, and they exit through it at commencement. This symbolic passage through the oldest academic building in continuous use in America represents the transformative arc of a William & Mary education — entering as a student and emerging as a graduate ready to lead.
Jumping the Wall
The tradition of "jumping the wall" is a beloved W&M rite of passage. Graduates leap over the low brick wall that separates the campus from Duke of Gloucester Street and Colonial Williamsburg, symbolically leaving the academic world behind and stepping into the broader world as W&M alumni. It is a moment of joy, freedom, and anticipation that captures the spirit of commencement perfectly — and it makes for an incredible portrait concept.
W&M Graduation Ceremonies
William & Mary holds its commencement ceremonies at Kaplan Arena and Zable Stadium, with the university's historic campus serving as the backdrop for one of the most scenic and meaningful graduation events in higher education. The ceremony features the traditional processional through the campus, the conferral of degrees, and distinguished speakers who reflect W&M's stature as one of America's original universities.
The William & Mary mascot is the Griffin, and the school colors are green, gold, and silver. The Griffin represents the combined strength of a lion and an eagle — a fitting symbol for a university that has produced presidents, Supreme Court justices, and leaders across every field of human endeavor. We recommend booking your portrait session 3-4 weeks before your ceremony to ensure your finished portraits are ready for graduation celebrations and family gatherings.
The Historic Campus as Your Backdrop
No university in Hampton Roads — and few universities in the entire country — can match the historic backdrop that William & Mary provides. The campus itself is a National Historic Landmark, and its proximity to Colonial Williamsburg means that your graduation portraits can be set against a canvas of American history that stretches back to the 17th century.
This historic setting elevates graduation portraits from simple commemorative photos to artistic heirlooms that carry the weight of centuries. Whether your portraits feature the Wren Building's iconic facade, the Sunken Garden's sweeping lawns, or the cobblestone charm of Colonial Williamsburg, every image communicates that you earned your degree from a place where history was made — and where you are now part of that history.
Our studio sessions can incorporate W&M's historic campus elements into composite designs, blending the controlled perfection of studio lighting with the timeless beauty of Williamsburg's architecture and landscapes.
Types of William & Mary Graduation Sessions
We offer several session formats designed specifically for William & Mary graduates:
Historic Campus Portraits
William & Mary's campus provides the most historically significant graduation portrait backdrop in Virginia. We can discuss on-location sessions at the Wren Building, Sunken Garden, Crim Dell Bridge, and other iconic landmarks, or incorporate these locations into studio-based composite designs for the best of both worlds.
Formal Academic Composites
Our signature composite sessions combine multiple looks into one stunning work of art. Popular W&M combinations include cap and gown paired with career attire (white coat, business suit, research gear), a casual or personal look, and an honor society or organizational stole. The result is a single portrait that captures the full scope of your William & Mary journey.
Williamsburg Area Shoots
Beyond the campus itself, the Williamsburg area offers extraordinary portrait opportunities — from the cobblestone streets and colonial architecture of Colonial Williamsburg to the natural beauty of the surrounding Virginia landscape. These sessions are perfect for graduates who want their portraits to reflect both their university achievement and the historic community that shaped their college experience.
William & Mary Graduation Portrait Gallery
Creative graduation portraits honoring the historic prestige of William & Mary.
Multi-Look Composite
Combining academic achievement, service, and personal identity in one stunning composite — a portrait worthy of W&M's historic legacy.
Graduation to Career
From W&M diploma to dream career — this composite captures academic excellence and professional ambition in a single historic frame.
Pre-Med Graduate
William & Mary's rigorous science programs prepare future physicians. This portrait celebrates the journey from student to healthcare professional.
Tribe Tradition
Professional studio photography honors the proud traditions of a William & Mary graduate.
Colonial Pride
Dynamic composition captures the colonial pride and academic excellence of this W&M graduate.
Wren Scholar
A celebratory portrait honoring the scholarly achievement of this William & Mary graduate.
Alma Mater
A triumphant portrait celebrating the journey through one of America's most historic universities.
What William & Mary Graduates Are Saying
"I graduated from William & Mary with a history degree and wanted portraits that honored the historic significance of my university. Roger absolutely delivered. The composite with my cap and gown, a Colonial Williamsburg-inspired look, and my research attire is breathtaking. He understood the weight of graduating from the second-oldest university in America."
— Catherine L., William & Mary History Graduate
"As a W&M pre-med graduate, I needed portraits that captured both my academic journey and my future career. Roger created an incredible composite with my green and gold cap and gown alongside my white coat. The drive from Williamsburg to his Suffolk studio was absolutely worth it — the quality is unmatched. My parents ordered prints for the entire family."
— James R., William & Mary Pre-Med Graduate
William & Mary Graduation Photography FAQs
Common Questions
How much do W&M 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 W&M campus or in Colonial Williamsburg?
We specialize in studio sessions at our Suffolk location, about 49 minutes from W&M via I-64. On-location sessions at the Wren Building, Sunken Garden, and Colonial Williamsburg can be discussed. We can also incorporate historic elements into studio composites.
When should I book my W&M graduation session?
Book 3-4 weeks before commencement. May is our busiest season for graduation photos, so early booking ensures you secure your preferred date.
What should I bring to my session?
Bring your W&M cap and gown, honor cords, stoles, and any organizational or Greek regalia. We recommend 1-2 additional outfits — a career look and a casual or personal style for a full composite.
What makes W&M graduation photos unique?
William & Mary's historic campus — including the Wren Building (1695), Sunken Garden, and Colonial Williamsburg — provides a backdrop unmatched by any other university. Your portraits carry the weight of over 330 years of American academic history.
Session Tips for W&M Graduates
Embrace the History
Think about incorporating W&M's historic traditions into your portraits — the Wren Building walk, jumping the wall, or Colonial Williamsburg aesthetics.
Plan Your Looks
The best composites combine cap and gown, career attire, and a personal or academic look. Plan 3-4 distinct looks for maximum impact.
Bring Academic Honors
Honor cords, Phi Beta Kappa keys, departmental stoles, and research awards all add meaning and visual richness to your portrait.
Include Career Props
White coats, business suits, gavels, books, or any tools of your future profession. Show where your W&M education is taking you.
Wear Green & Gold
Incorporate W&M's green, gold, and silver into your outfit choices for a cohesive, university-proud portrait that shows your Griffin spirit.
Ready to Celebrate Your W&M Achievement?
Book your William & Mary graduation photography session today. Let's create portraits that honor the historic prestige of your degree and capture this incredible milestone!
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