Clubs & Societies
From the boat club at first light to college teams, drama societies and everything in between, we photograph the groups that make university life what it is.
Our Place in University Life
Gillman & Soame has photographed university life for well over a century, at historic colleges and modern campuses alike. A graduation means the world to a family, and a fine commemorative photograph means a great deal to an institution, and we bring the same care to both.
Speak to our teamFrom Matriculation to Graduation
A university year is measured in occasions, from the first crew out on the water to the last name read aloud in the hall.
We are there for each of them, and for the portraits that outlast the day.
Graduation & Matriculation
The day a degree is conferred deserves to be recorded with the same ceremony it is given. We provide robed studio portraits, full coverage of the procession and hall, and course groups assembled and delivered while the gowns are still on.
Family Portraits
Families travel a long way to be there on the day. We give them a few unhurried minutes together, on the lawn or in front of a favourite building, with a portrait they will frame for years.
The Day, and Everything After
On graduation day our job is to be quick and quietly organised, so the day stays where it belongs: with the graduates and the people who travelled to see them. We agree the flow with your events team beforehand and set up so no one waits long for their turn.
Every graduate is photographed in their robes, on their own and with their family. These are the few minutes of the day that end up framed on a wall, so we take the time to make them relaxed and unhurried.
Graduates and families log in to our online shop, choose from prints, frames and albums, and order the pieces they want. Each one is finished by hand and delivered to the door.
Kind Words From the Universities
We Are Proud to Work With
Each year we photograph graduations and college life at universities across the country. It is a privilege to be part of a day that a family remembers forever.
Frequently Asked Questions for University Photography
How do you handle large graduation ceremonies?
Our teams are built for volume. We set up robing, studio portraits and group photography so graduates move straight through, and we scale staffing to your numbers so the schedule never slips.
When are the photographs available after graduation?
Graduates and families can view and order online within a few days of the ceremony, while the memory is fresh. Prints and framed pieces follow by post.
Can families be photographed with the graduate?
Yes, and it is one of the most popular things we do. We keep a few unhurried minutes aside for each family, on the lawn or by a favourite building.
Do you photograph clubs and societies during the year?
We do. From boat clubs and sports teams to societies and college groups, we photograph university life across the whole year, not only at graduation.
Where are the photographs taken?
Wherever suits the occasion: your halls and quadrangles, a marquee on the day, or a studio set up on site. We work within historic buildings regularly and with care.
Bring Gillman & Soame to Your University
Tell us a little about your university and the ceremonies or groups you would like photographed, and a member of our team will be in touch to talk it through. We would be glad to hear from you.