Steps of Troy
Graduation Photos

USC Photo Spot

Why Steps of Troy is Perfect for Graduation Photos

The Steps of Troy is the wide, sweeping staircase at the heart of the USC campus. Its symmetrical design and surrounding architecture create a grand, cinematic composition that captures the scale and prestige of the university. If you want a graduation photo that screams "I graduated from USC," the Steps of Troy delivers.

The staircase offers natural elevation changes, which gives me incredible variety within a single location. From below, I shoot upward with you standing at the top, arms wide, celebrating. This angle makes you look powerful and triumphant against the sky. From above, I capture you walking down the steps with the campus stretching out behind you. From the side, the repeating horizontal lines of the steps create a graphic, architectural composition.

This is also one of the best spots on campus for group photos. The width of the staircase comfortably accommodates a dozen or more people without anyone feeling cramped. I line groups across a single step for a clean horizontal composition, or stagger people across multiple steps for a more dynamic arrangement.

The steps face north, which means they stay evenly lit throughout the afternoon without harsh directional shadows. Between 3pm and 4:30pm, the light is warm but diffused, creating flattering conditions for both solo and group portraits. The building facades on either side of the steps also act as natural reflectors, bouncing soft light back into the scene.

The Steps of Troy connects directly to Tommy Trojan and Bovard Auditorium, making it a natural stop in the central Trousdale Parkway route. I recommend including it in any USC session that covers the campus core.