Tommy Trojan
Graduation Photos

USC Photo Spot

Why Tommy Trojan is Perfect for Graduation Photos

Tommy Trojan is the graduation photo that every USC student needs. The iconic bronze warrior statue at the center of Trousdale Parkway, surrounded by the Trojan Shrine, is the single most recognizable symbol of the university. It is the shot your family will frame, the one you will post on every social media platform, and the image that defines your USC experience in a single frame.

The statue faces west on a raised circular platform, with the Trojan Shrine columns creating a semicircular backdrop behind it. This arrangement gives me several composition options: the classic standing-next-to-Tommy shot, a wider frame that includes the shrine columns, and creative angles that use the columns as leading lines pointing toward you and the statue.

The biggest challenge here is crowds. During graduation season, especially on weekends, there can be a line of 30 to 45 minutes for a clean shot. I manage this with strategic timing. Early sessions (before 3pm) catch the area before the afternoon rush. Evening sessions (after 6pm) benefit from thinning crowds and beautiful warm light. Weekday sessions nearly eliminate the wait entirely.

Lighting at Tommy Trojan requires thought. The statue faces west, so late afternoon sun hits it from behind, creating a warm backlit glow. I bring professional off-camera lighting to fill the shadows on your face, balancing you against the golden backlight for a polished, editorial look. Without that fill light, you would be a silhouette against the bright sky.

I recommend pairing Tommy Trojan with Bovard Auditorium and the Steps of Troy, both of which are on Trousdale Parkway within a two-minute walk. This central campus loop covers the three most iconic USC locations efficiently.