A Guide to On-Campus Photo Shoots

Being located in one of the greatest and most aesthetically pleasing cities in the world, Barnard and Columbia give their students a lot of opportunities to take amazing pictures. However, after getting through the classic pictures of Times Square and Central Park, it might get a little hard to get creative with your posts. In my opinion, Barnard and Columbia have the best looking campuses in the city, and you don’t have to look very far to find your next photo shoot location. Here are some hidden gems I’ve found throughout my time as a Barnard student that might give you some inspiration for your next Instagram post. 

Winter in the city is one of my favorite times of the year, especially with all the glimmering lights. Every year, Columbia embraces the holiday spirit by having their famous Tree Lighting ceremony, lighting up all the trees along College Walk. This is a quintessential photo students take to commemorate their time on campus. Similar to College Walk, another popular option is to take a picture in front of the Barnard gates or on the stairs in front of Barnard Hall. 

Oftentimes, when the weather gets warmer, you will find students spending time on Low Steps. If you want a classic picture on the stairs, Low Steps is definitely an option. Another less crowded option if you get a little shy taking pictures in front of people would be the steps leading to the campus exit near Earl Hall. 

Lerner Hall’s slanted structure and amazing lighting has personally been a great option to take pictures no matter what time of day it is. The interesting structure of the building adds an eye-catching aspect to your photos. 

Outside of the International Affairs building, there is a lot of space to work with. You can take pictures on the grassy area where you will find students taking a nap or studying on a sunny day. You can also take pictures of the overhead bridge if you want a view of the city in the background. 

Near the Visitor’s Center at Barnard, there is a cute little patio area that overlooks Claremont Ave. This is a personal favorite of mine because of the options this area alone gives. You can take pictures on the bench or on the opposite side when the sun is setting. (Golden hour here is perfection!)

Not only is the Milstein Center the newest building on campus, but it is also home to a lot of aesthetic photo possibilities. From taking pictures in the stacks, on a seat with Peet’s in the background, or the terrace area with Barnard and Columbia in the background, the possibilities are endless. If you get the chance, another option is to go to the upper floors to get a better view of the city. The 5th floor is definitely an option with its large windows. 

Last but not least, the Diana Center probably has the best lighting on campus. My favorite places in the building are near the staircases or the 3rd floor, which is all glass. Your photos will exceed your standards because of the lighting alone. Another place to go is to the top floor of Diana, where the terrace area is open on nice days.

I hope this list gives you some inspiration if you are in a rut for new pictures for your feed. Good luck!