The best places on the Potch campus to take your graduation pictures
Your graduation ceremony is one of the biggest events in your life and having pictures you can cherish for the rest of your life, is a must.
Choosing a photographer may be easy but deciding on a location on the Potchefstroom campus of the North-West University can be challenging. Graduates usually flock to popular spots such as the Calvyn fountain in front of the main building, or line up along Lover’s Lane, but there are several spots that can work just as well.
Robin-Lee Adonis who studied towards a post-graduate certificate in senior-phase education in 2022 recommends making a list of your favourite places where you want to take your graduation photos. She explains, “If you want to take your photos at a well-known photo spot such as the main building, it is best to go before the graduation ceremony to avoid having other people in your shots. Taking your photos at your faculty is also a very good choice.”
The main building, home to the Faculty of Law, is associated with graduation photos. Shannon Ferreira, owner of Soet Photography who has been taking photos since her second year in 2020, said the building’s wooden door is a popular spot. “I enjoy taking photos at the main building, it suits my style.”
Zelmari de Clercq, owner of Die Lens Photography said: “There are usually hundreds of people at the Calvyn fountain and everyone is waiting to get a photo there.” She suggested considering other spots, which might turn out even more beautiful.
The Amphitheatre is a very good option for graduation photos, “especially if you want to be creative”, Ferreira said.
“My favourite place to take photos is in Lover’s Lane,” said Zeniël de Meyer, photographer at Zenography Photography, who has been capturing graduation moments since 2013. She emphasised that the “long row of trees provides good shade and depth of field”.
In 2016, the Potchefstroom campus unveiled the Pharmacy and Biological Sciences building (G23). Glen Magoro, owner of Mphoyamudzimu Photography, loves shooting there. He describes the building as “beautiful”.
Adonis said that “taking your photos at your faculty itself is a very good choice”.
De Meyer thinks that the Duikweg, the subway that links the residences to the main campus, is a good location for graduation photos. She described it as “daring”, which can result in interesting photos.
The Ferdinand Postma Library is another appropriate venue – especially if you spent many hours there during your studies. Photos can be taken in front of the library or even inside.
Magoro said, “For good quality photos, it is best to go to the Botanical Garden after 16:00.”
It may be a good idea to check the garden’s opening times in advance as well as whether photo shoots are allowed.
De Clercq said, “If your graduation is in the afternoon, the library’s lawn is a good option because the sun shines beautifully over the grass.”
The 2023 graduation ceremonies will start on Wednesday 22 March.