Peter Water Tower
Graduation Photos

UCI Photo Spot

Why Peter the Anteater Water Tower is Perfect for Graduation Photos

The Anteater water tower near the ARC (Anteater Recreation Center) is one of the most recognizable landmarks at UC Irvine. The massive mural of Peter the Anteater painted across the tower makes for a bold, colorful backdrop that is uniquely UCI. No other campus has anything quite like it.

What makes this location special for graduation photos is the scale. The tower looms large behind you, creating a composition where the viewer's eye moves from you in the foreground to the vibrant mural above. I shoot from various distances to get both tight portraits with the mural peeking in behind you and wider shots that capture the full tower and surrounding landscape.

The area around the water tower is relatively open, with grass and walkways providing clean foregrounds. Because this is on the east side of campus near the athletic facilities, foot traffic is lighter than central campus spots like Aldrich Park or the Peter statue. You will rarely have to wait for other groups to move out of the frame.

Lighting here depends on the time of day. The mural faces southwest, so it catches direct afternoon sun that brings out the colors. I typically shoot this location between 3pm and 5pm when the mural is well-lit and the surrounding area gets warm, golden tones. My off-camera lighting fills any shadows on your face so you match the brightness of the vibrant backdrop.

The water tower is a quick drive or short walk from the Bren Events Center and the UCI Sign off Bison, making it easy to combine all three in a single session route on the east side of campus.