Bren Events Center
Graduation Photos

UCI Photo Spot

Why Bren Events Center is Perfect for Graduation Photos

The Bren Events Center holds a special place for every UCI graduate. This is the building where commencement ceremonies take place, where you walk across the stage and officially become a UCI alum. Taking graduation photos here bookends the experience in a meaningful way.

The front of the building features the Bren Events Center signage and a distinctive anteater statue that provides a secondary mascot photo opportunity beyond the main Peter statue near the Student Center. The open plaza in front of the building gives me room for wider compositions that capture both you and the building in context.

Architecturally, the Bren Center has a modern, arena-style design with sweeping curved lines and a large entrance canopy. The canopy area provides reliable shade for portrait-style shots, and the wide steps leading up to the entrance create natural leading lines similar to Langson Library but with a more contemporary feel.

This is one of the quieter locations on campus for graduation photos. Since the Bren Center is on the east side near the athletic complex, it does not see the same foot traffic as central campus spots. You will often have the entire front plaza to yourselves, which means more time for creative shots and less time waiting.

I recommend combining the Bren Center with the nearby Anteater water tower and UCI Sign off Bison for an east-side campus route. All three are within a short walk or quick drive of each other, and together they cover the major landmarks on this side of campus efficiently.