
West Virginia University is such a beautiful place for portraits, especially if you’re a graduating senior! It’s picturesque with the combination of old brick buildings and new steel structures. While the campus provides a lot of nice spots for graduation pictures, the best place to go is Woodburn Circle. This isn’t just a “circle” at the university. This area holds the oldest buildings on campus from when the college was founded. There are places within this area of campus that allow you to have a slightly different view without having the same background. These are my top 6 portrait locations at Woodburn Circle at WVU for a graduating senior!
The Mountaineer Statue

The state motto of West Virginia in Latin means “Montani Semper Liberi”, which is “a mountaineer is always free”. The university has believed in the preservation of tradition ever since its establishment in 1867. So it’s also no wonder that the mascot name for the university is The Mountaineers. The name represents school pride and the Appalachian heritage of the area. This statue is located near The Mountainlair, which overlooks Woodburn Circle.
The original idea came along in 1938 for a statue with a lamp. It would be lit each year to honor WVU alumni who had passed away. However, plans were interrupted by the Second World War. Eventually, the artist, Donald De Lue, was selected in the 1960s to create the current sculpture. Because of where this is specifically located, the lighting can be tricky. It’s best to include The Mountaineer statue in your pictures when the sun has almost set or on a semi-sunny or cloudy day.
The Steps of Woodburn Hall

One of WVU’s most photographed places at WVU is the Woodburn Hall steps. This location becomes very popular during graduation season. This building is the second-most photographed building in the state, with the state capital building being first. I love the stone in front of Woodburn Hall, right at the edge of University Avenue. I suggest that you schedule your photo session earlier so you don’t miss your opportunity to be photographed on the famous staircase! All of my senior clients want pictures on the staircase, so I make sure to spend around ten minutes here, taking a good number of images, but being courteous to other fellow grads and photographers.
The USS West Virginia Mast and Memorial

This is a very special place on campus for important historical reasons. The USS West Virginia Mast Memorial overlooks Woodburn Circle. At this memorial, you can remember the men who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor, which was the turning point of the country’s entering the war. The USS West Virginia was docked at Pearl Harbor and sank during the attack. The mast of the ship was brought to this location on campus. A group of students, through fundraising efforts, saved it from being sold as scrap. I love shooting here because you can get a glimpse of Woodburn Hall in the background for a more interesting perspective. You eliminate distractions but still achieve some gorgeous images.
The University Avenue Pedestrian Bridge

This is another great location for graduation pictures at WVU! The University Avenue Pedestrian Bridge gets the BEST golden hour light. However, taking images in this spot on campus has to be timed JUST RIGHT! The pedestrian bridge also helps eliminate distractions from activities on campus, yet gives a unique perspective. An added bonus about the bridge is that it gives quick access to other parts around Woodburn Circle.
WVU Manifesto Wall

This giant mural is located on the exterior of the Mountainlair and signifies the University’s brand identity, mission, and values. The only way to get the full scope of the WVU Manifesto Wall is by lying on the ground and shooting *up*. I love capturing images from this angle because it gives the image an interesting point of view. A lot of my senior graduates love taking a picture at this spot! It symbolizes everything they stand for after being a student for four years.
Martin Hall

Martin Hall is the oldest building and is located within Woodburn Circle. It’s home to the Reed School of Media and Communications. This is also a great place for pictures because of its landscaping and photo opportunities with its exterior options. Martin Hall provides a good amount of shading as the sun sets behind the building, radiating beautiful light for an evening session.
No matter which spot you choose from my top 6 portrait locations in Woodburn Circle, you’re going to have beautiful pictures and memories to cherish after graduation! I’m ready to come celebrate with you at WVU’s campus! Reach out to me to book one-of-a-kind graduation pictures!
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