The Best Backdrops for Prom, Graduation, and Senior Photos

It’s the end of the school year, and it’s time to remember the occasion with a professional photograph that you can send to your grandma. For such a momentous time in your educational life, a simple selfie won’t do it justice. So, if you’re looking for a great backdrop for graduation photos in Raleigh, for somewhere that can fill the space between you and your cap and gown with something memorable and exciting, then you’re in the right place. 

Whether you’re looking for oak-lined avenues filled with vibrant murals painted onto historic buildings, or bold contemporary architecture, or flower-filled gardens, Raleigh has a surprising range of backdrops that are both exciting to look at, but don’t draw too much away from the focus – you. (For some locations, we’ve used personal photos, so you can see what the setting is like!)

WRAL Azalea Gardens

• Address: 2619 Western Blvd, Raleigh

The WRAL Azalea garden is the perfect spot for graduation photos, as azaleas bloom from February through May, and many rebloom in the summer months. The gardens, tucked behind the television studio, were created in the 1950s and have more than a thousand azaleas, so if you’re looking for stunning floral backgrounds, this is the place to go for a backdrop filled with layers of pinks, reds, and whites, which pairs nicely with a cap-and-gown silhouette. 

For that classic “walk into your future” shot, choose to set up your camera facing down one of the dirt paths, so you are framed by blooming azaleas from both sides. Or, there is a small fountain and scattered sculptures for those who want more than flowers in the background.

Raleigh Rose Garden

• Address: 301 Pogue St, Raleigh

A spot we personally love for photos for a special occasion is the Raleigh Rose Garden, tucked behind the leafy campus of North Carolina State University. Like WRAL Azalea Garden, it has a quiet, elegant space that provides a classic, storybook background for graduation photos. 

With over a thousand rose bushes arranged in neat, terraced beds, the garden offers a background filled with bursts of color. Whether you want soft pastels in late spring, or deeper hues in summer, it has multiple beds providing backdrops that feel effortless.

For prom photos, the best spot is under the white pergola draped in climbing roses, or if you are taking photos with friends, gather around the small brick amphitheater or by the reflective fountain for a more atmospheric look. Hint: take your photos either early in the morning or at sunset for beautiful lighting.

NC State Bell Tower

• Address: 2011 Hillsborough St, Raleigh

For students, can you get any more iconic than the Memorial Belltower, which sits in the heart of NCSU campus. It’s as much a rite of passage to get your photograph taken in front of it, as it is a landmark. 

For students of North Carolina State University, it’s steeped in tradition, a symbol of both where you’ve been and what comes next. The classic shot frames the full height of the tower, gathering in its clean stone lines. I recommend using a wide-angle lens if you are taking photos yourself, so you can get as much of the tower in the frame as possible.

Alternatively, get a photo from up close, as the surrounding brick plaza has stone steps leading up to the tower, which creates natural staging for group shots or celebratory poses with your cap and gown. The belltower is isn’t just a beautiful setting, it’s a symbol of education and growth. For many graduates, there’s no backdrop that feels more personal.

Dorothea Dix Park

• Address: 1030 Richardson Dr, Raleigh

Probably the most famous place to go for taking pictures if Dorothea Dix Park, Raleigh’s largest urban park. It has quite a few photo spots to choose from, whether you want wide-open skies, rolling green hills, or a skyline view of the city, it has it all. The most iconic backdrop is the “Sunflower Field” area (which is best visited in July when they are in bloom). It has rows and rows of bright yellow flowers stretching toward the horizon. It’s truly iconic.

However, even outside sunflower season, the same field offers a clean, minimalist backdrop with the downtown skyline perfectly framed behind you. Elsewhere in the park are plenty of tree-lined paths, gentle hills, and historic stone buildings scattered across the park. The options are limitless.

NC Museum of Art

• Address: 2110 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh

You can’t get a bolder and more contemporary in design than the North Carolina Museum of Art, which has two unique backdrops to offer. One, the sprawling Jim Goodnight Park where sculptures, open fields, and curated landscapes create a refreshingly modern natural backdrop. The outdoor installations and long, tree-lined paths provide both a classic backdrop look, but with something more edgy and creative.

Alternatively, using the museum itself as your background is not a bad shout. It’s sleek, geometric architecture, with clean lines, glass, and stone, truly shines, especially in late afternoon light when reflections soften and shadows stretch – it’s the kind of background that looks timeless and elegant, but without drawing too much attention away from the person in the picture.

NC State Centennial Campus

Speaking of NC State University, there are plenty of photo spots around the campus that would make for ideal backgrounds. If you are thinking of making a day of your photo shoot, consider wandering around and snapping pictures at these iconic places.

The Free Expression Tunnel 

• Address: Yarborough Drive, Raleigh

If you want to celebrate the Wolfpacks in your graduate photos, then the Free Expression Tunnel is the perfect place to stand in front of. This ever-changing street art tunnel has been a canvas for student voices for decades, and every time you wander past it, there is a different mural celebrating student life and what it means to be a student in this city. It may even have some parting words of wisdom to remember into the future. It’s located near Yarborough Drive, but you can find directions on Google maps here.

Wolf Plaza

• Address: Wolf Way, Raleigh

As you walk through The Free Expression Tunnel, you will reach Wolf Plaza, which is characterized by the pack of bronze wolf sculptures. The plaza is an iconic meeting place for students between classes, and has that quintessentially “college life” feel to it. Getting a photo next to a five foot high wolf statue is a must for graduates of NCSU to remember the Wolfpack by. 

Reynolds Coliseum

• Address: 2411 Dunn Ave, Raleigh

If you’re a sports player, then you might want to acknowledge that in your graduation photos. The lobby to the Reynolds Coliseum, a historic multi-purpose arena at NC State University and current permanent home of NC State women’s basketball team, women’s gymnastics, women’s volleyball and men’s wrestling, is the perfect sporty backdrop. The building itself is not anything special or imposing (although I like its retro design), but as soon as you walk in you are confronted with giant “wolfpack” signs and banners, as well as metal wolf statues to stand next to. It’s also commonly used for graduation ceremonies, so you might find yourself there anyway!

Gregg Museum of Art & Design

• Address: 1903 Hillsborough St, Raleigh

The Gregg Museum of Art and Design is another good option for those who want a historic and elegant architecture marvel, or peaceful gardens, to use as a backdrop. It’s location close to the campus means you don’t have to drive too far away for stunning and crowd-free photos. We personally love the magnolia tree in the front garden, which flourishes in March to August. Get a photo underneath the gnarled branches with the historic building in the background. 

The Brickyard/NC State Wolf Ears

Another iconic spot on the campus to get your “wolfpack pride” shot is near “The Brickyard” which has two large sculptures, commonly known as “Wolf Ears.” The ears are unique in that if you sit at one “ear” you can speak to the person sitting 40 feet away at the other one. Even if you don’t get photos with the ears, the Brickyard is a great place for group photos throwing the caps in the air. Go early or late in the day to avoid crowds as this is a popular gathering spot for students. 

Read more: NC State graduation guide

Lake Raleigh

I can’t think of a more quintessentially Raleigh backdrop than Lake Raleigh. It has our beloved oaks, a glistening clean lake, and it’s right on the edge of North Carolina State University’s Centennial Campus. The best spot to get photos is from the jetty, which is near the James B. Hunt Jr. Library, as you can get a shot with the reflective waters behind you.

The Mural outside the North Carolina State Board of Education

• Address: 300 N Wilmington St, Raleigh

On the side of the NC State Board of Education building in downtown Raleigh, there is an education mural that encompasses the whole side of the building. It was created in 1992 by artist Vernon Pratt and writer Georgann Eubanks. The message reads “You are a child. You are suitable to be awed,” which is the perfect message to carry on into the next year of your educational journey. 

JC Raulston Arboretum

• Address: Ruby McSwain Education Center, 4415 Beryl Rd, Raleigh

A short drive outside of downtown is the quiet, serene JC Raulston Arboretum, which is another living botanical gallery that makes for ideal backdrops for special photos. It’s run by North Carolina State University, so it has that connection to education, but it also has a diverse array of rich spots for graduation photos in Raleigh.

The backdrops here shift with every turn. There’s a Japanese-inspired garden that has a sculpted green area and has a more minimalist vibe, and then there is the color-packed perennial borders that make a more vibrant frame. You’ll also find arched trellises, vine-covered pergolas, flowering trees, greenhouse structures and textured brick paths – all of which are a subtle background that doesn’t pull focus away from the person.

Pullen Park

• Address: 520 Ashe Ave, Raleigh

Lastly, for a truly iconic backdrop, head to Pullen Park, the oldest park in the South, bringing a touch of nostalgia to graduation photos. Here your photos will look playful and full of quiet charm, perfect for those who want to capture a piece of childhood whimsy.

The standout backdrop is of course the historic carousel, with its bright colors and vintage details, which creates a joyful and cinematic backdrop. Nearby, the small lake offers a less dramatic background, with trees reflecting in the dappled light, it’s especially beautiful in the early morning or late afternoon. 

There are also footbridges, open lawns, and shaded paths lined with mature oaks that can be used for less dramatic frames but still beautiful and personal.