Ceremony photos
Doctoral, MFA, and Medical Professional Degree Candidates will have their photo taken as they cross the stage at the Kohl Center to receive their diploma cover and a solo portrait after they exit the stage. Photo stations at Gates A and B will be available before and after the ceremony for graduate portraits with friends and family.
Bachelor’s, Law, and Master’s Degree Candidates can have portrait photos taken by Empire Photography on the sidelines before or after the ceremony at Camp Randall.
Proofs will be sent to graduates and their families within 48 hours of the ceremony. Your commencement is a once-in-a-lifetime moment so don’t miss out!
Schedule a Photo Session
Portrait Sessions
April 23, 24, 30
8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Festival Room, Memorial Union
May 1, 2
9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Multicultural Creek Council Room, Memorial Union
Well Red Bucky
April 29
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Bucky Statue, Alumni Park
Caps and gowns will be provided.
Camp Randall Arch
May 4
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Arch, Camp Randall
Photos with Abe
April 30 and May 2
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Abe Statue, Bascom Hill
Rain date is May 3 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Caps and gowns will be provided.
Climbing the Abe statue without the specialized campus safety ladder is prohibited. Individuals who climb the statue without the safety ladder risk serious harm to themselves and to the artwork. The statue sits at a significant height above a hard ground surface. The statue may be slippery, and there are no specially designed railings or grip points. Risks include slips and/or falls, scrapes, bruises, broken bones, and potentially serious or fatal head, neck, back or spinal injuries. Individuals choosing to climb without the campus safety ladder acknowledge these dangers and proceed at their own risk.
Questions about your photos?
UW–Madison is proud to continue to work with Empire Photography, a locally owned small business established in 1983 by UW–Madison alumni Mark and Maggie Smith. Empire Photography has been photographing our commencement ceremonies for many years. If you have any questions, please email Empire Photography. You can also visit the Empire Photography UW–Madison Portal for more information.