Ole Miss photo spots on campus
Three campus spots show up in my Oxford senior portraits: the University of Mississippi 1848 gateway, wide stone steps beside tall white columns, and a bed of yellow daffodils in spring. For graduates I add the Grove, the Walk of Champions and the university seal. My guide to Ole Miss graduation pictures has the cap and gown details.
Ole Miss was founded in 1848, and Visit Oxford describes a campus of red-brick buildings, tree-lined walkways and landmarks such as the Lyceum and the Grove. A few places worth knowing:
The Grove
A 10-acre shaded park at the heart of campus, according to Visit Oxford, and the place graduates sit for Commencement Convocation. It's one of my cap and gown stops.
The Lyceum
Begun in 1846 and completed in 1848 in an Ionic Greek Revival design. The university catalog calls it the sole survivor of the five original buildings, and it's still the main administration building.
Ventress Hall
Built in 1889 as the University Library, with a Victorian Romanesque design and a turret. It's home to the College of Liberal Arts today.
The Circle
The university's own photos show students gathering there for a group photo.
The Walk of Champions
Fans line the path the football team walks to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, and Visit Oxford says the team walks through the Grove two hours before kickoff. It's another of my cap and gown stops.
The university seal
One of my graduation photos is beside a brick pillar that holds the University of Mississippi 1848 seal.
On and around the Square
Since Oxford was incorporated in 1837, the Square has been the city's cultural and economic hub, according to Visit Oxford. It's home to restaurants, shops and boutiques, including the South's oldest department store, and downtown is where you'll find Square Books, Oxford's well-known independent bookstore.
In 1864 Union troops set fire to the town, burning the Courthouse and most of the Square, per Visit Oxford's history of Oxford. Here's what to know before a stop downtown.
Shops and private property
Most of the Square is restaurants, shops and boutiques, and their doorways, balconies and rooftops are private property. Ask the business before you plan a stop on its property.
Parking
The City of Oxford offers free parking in the OPC/Water Tower lot and on floors 2 to 4 of the parking garage. Premium curbside parking along the main roads into the Square runs from 10 AM to midnight, Monday to Saturday, but not on holidays, Sundays or football game days. On game days those spaces have a three hour limit.
Drones over the Square
The Square isn't university property and its airspace is open, but I still need a legal spot to take off and land. On a home football game day, from an hour before the game to an hour after, it sits inside the 3 nautical mile no-drone circle around Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Rowan Oak, Lamar Park and quieter spots
Rowan Oak was William Faulkner's home. It was built in 1844, Faulkner bought it in 1930 and lived there until his death in 1962, and the University of Mississippi has owned it since 1972. The grounds total 33 acres: 4 acres of landscaped grounds and 29 acres of woods known as Bailey Woods, with eastern red cedars lining the walkway to the house.
Rowan Oak's photo rules
Personal photography is allowed once house admission is paid, with no flash inside. Photo shoots on the grounds during business hours pay an hourly rate, cash only, and there's no charge outside business hours or on Mondays, when Rowan Oak is closed. The grounds sometimes close for private events, so call ahead. No drones, no confetti, petals or other props that could become litter, no climbing on or leaning against the house, outbuildings or trees, and no photography for advertising or commercial purposes without University approval. Current rates are on the hours and admission page.
Rowan Oak's hours
The house is open Tuesday to Saturday 10 to 4 and Sunday 1 to 4, and closed Mondays and major holidays, with special summer hours from June 1 to July 31. The grounds are open daily from dawn till dusk, and visiting after sundown is prohibited, so plan to finish before dark.
Bailey Woods Trail
A National Recreation Trail that connects Rowan Oak to the University Museum along a path of roughly 3,000 feet. It takes about 20 minutes to walk and doesn't allow bikes. As of October 20, 2026, the university says it's temporarily closed while bridge repairs are underway, so look at the Rowan Oak and Bailey Woods page before you plan on it.
The University Museum
At University Avenue and 5th Street. It's open Tuesday to Friday 10 to 5 and Saturday 10 to 4, and closed Sunday, Monday and most University holidays. I didn't find a published photo policy, so check with the museum before a session.
Lamar Park
“Pat” Lamar Park was designed as an outdoor arboretum, with walking trails, garden features and a quiet lake, according to Visit Oxford. It's named for Oxford's first female mayor and sits at the corner of College Hill Road and Country Club Road. I didn't find photo rules for it, so check before a session.
Sardis Lake
Visit Oxford lists Sardis Lake among the ways to get outdoors in Oxford. I've photographed a surprise proposal and engagement photos there at sunset. Check the lake's rules for the spot you have in mind.
These aren't the only options. I photograph across Lafayette County, so if a place means something to you, add it to the list when we plan the stops.
Drone rules, game days and graduation week
Drones on campus
Every flight on Ole Miss property goes through UPD for approval, and I'm authorized to fly on campus and file the request myself. I submit campus requests at least a week ahead. My Ole Miss drone rules guide has the details.
Home football game days
On home football game days no drone can fly within 3 nautical miles of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium from an hour before the game to an hour after. That circle covers the Grove, all of campus and the Square. Rowan Oak doesn't allow drone photography or video at any time.
Football weekends on the ground
On a home game weekend, students race to claim Grove tailgating spots on Friday night, according to Ole Miss. Visit Oxford says the Grove closes at 5:30 PM and reopens at 6:00 PM that Friday so tailgaters can set up. For campus and Square stops, pick a day without a home game and check the football schedule before you settle on a date.
Graduation week
The university calendar lists commencement ceremonies from May 1 to May 8, 2027, with the 2027 Commencement Convocation in the Grove on Saturday, May 8, at 9 AM. The university asks graduates and families to arrive early for parking, so Grove pictures are easier on another day.
Light and weather
Plan outdoor stops to finish before sunset. Sunset in Oxford is about 7:29 PM in mid-April, 7:52 PM in mid-May, 8:11 PM in mid-June, 7:06 PM in mid-September, 6:24 PM in mid-October and 4:55 PM in mid-November in 2027, per the U.S. Naval Observatory. Daylight saving time ends November 7, 2027. NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals put Oxford's July and August highs around 91°F, and September and October see the fewest rainy days in Oxford. My wedding day timeline has the full sunset table.
How a session plans its stops
How many of these places fit into one session comes down to its length. We plan the spots together before the day, and on the day I'll tell you where to stand.
Essential
A thirty minute session stays at one location, so pick the spot that matters most, like the 1848 gateway or the Grove.
Signature
A one hour session covers up to two locations with one outfit change, for example campus and then the Square.
Premium
A two hour session moves across several locations with two outfit changes, which leaves room to pair campus with the grounds of Rowan Oak or Lamar Park.
Engagement sessions
Engagement sessions work the same way, from 30 minutes at one spot up to two hours across several. See engagement session pricing.
Session details and prices are on my senior session pricing page, and my senior photographer in Oxford, MS page covers how a session works. If you're closer to Jackson, MS, my page for senior pictures across Mississippi covers the Jackson, MS metro.
Questions about where to take pictures in Oxford
Where are the best places to take pictures in Oxford, MS?
Good places to take pictures in Oxford, MS include the Ole Miss campus, the Square downtown, the grounds of Rowan Oak and Lamar Park. On campus, my own sessions have used the University of Mississippi 1848 gateway, wide stone steps beside tall white columns, yellow daffodils in spring, the Grove, the Walk of Champions and the university seal. Rowan Oak and some other spots have their own photo rules, so check before your session, and if a place means something to you, bring it up when we plan the stops.
What are the best Ole Miss photo spots?
The Ole Miss photo spots I've used in my sessions are the University of Mississippi 1848 gateway, wide stone steps beside tall white columns, yellow daffodils in spring, the Grove sign, the Walk of Champions arch and the brick pillar that holds the university seal. Campus also has the Lyceum, completed in 1848 and the only one of the university's five original buildings still standing, and Ventress Hall, built in 1889 with a Victorian Romanesque design and a turret. The university's own photos show students gathering for a group photo in the Circle.
Can you take pictures at Rowan Oak?
Yes, if you follow Rowan Oak's rules. Personal photography is allowed once house admission is paid, with no flash inside. Photo shoots on the grounds during business hours pay an hourly rate, cash only, and there's no charge outside business hours or on Mondays, when it's closed. The grounds are open from dawn till dusk, visiting after sundown is prohibited, and private events sometimes close the grounds, so call ahead. Drones, confetti and petals aren't allowed. Current rates are on Rowan Oak's hours and admission page.
Can you fly a drone for pictures on the Ole Miss campus or the Square?
Every flight on Ole Miss property goes through UPD for approval, and I'm authorized to fly on campus and file the request myself. On home football game days no drone can fly within 3 nautical miles of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium from an hour before the game to an hour after, and that circle covers the Grove, all of campus and the Square. The Square isn't university property and its airspace is open, but I still need a legal spot to take off and land. Rowan Oak doesn't allow drone photos or video at all. For campus, I submit the request at least a week ahead.
Should I avoid football weekends for pictures in Oxford?
For campus and the Square, a day without a home game is easier. On the Friday before a home game, students race to claim Grove tailgating spots, and Visit Oxford says the Grove closes at 5:30 PM and reopens at 6:00 PM that night so tailgaters can set up. The team walks through the Grove on the Walk of Champions two hours before kickoff. Downtown, premium curbside parking has a three hour limit on game days, and no drone can fly near the stadium around game time.
What time of year and day is best for outdoor pictures in Oxford?
NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals put Oxford's July and August highs around 91°F, and September and October have the fewest rainy days in Oxford. Whatever the month, plan outdoor stops so they finish before sunset. In Oxford, sunset is about 7:29 PM in mid-April, 7:52 PM in mid-May, 7:06 PM in mid-September, 6:24 PM in mid-October and 4:55 PM in mid-November, based on U.S. Naval Observatory times for 2027. Daylight saving time ends November 7, 2027, which moves sunset to about 5:00 PM.
Can I take Grove pictures during Ole Miss graduation week?
It's easier on another day. The university calendar lists commencement ceremonies from May 1 to May 8, 2027, with the 2027 Commencement Convocation in the Grove on Saturday, May 8, at 9 AM, and the university asks graduates and families to arrive early for parking. For cap and gown spots on campus, see my guide to Ole Miss graduation pictures.
How many spots can we fit into one session?
It depends on the session. My Essential senior session is thirty minutes at one location, Signature is one hour at up to two locations with one outfit change, and Premium is two hours across several locations with two outfit changes. Engagement sessions work the same way, from 30 minutes at one spot up to two hours across several. We plan the spots together before the day. Prices are on my senior session pricing page, or send me your date for a quote.
Sources
Checked October 20, 2026. Rules and hours change, so check with each place before your session.
- Rowan Oak hours, admission and photography policies
- Rowan Oak, home page and photography policies
- Rowan Oak, the grounds
- Rowan Oak, history
- University of Mississippi Museum, Rowan Oak and Bailey Woods
- University of Mississippi Museum, plan your visit
- University of Mississippi catalog, campus buildings
- University of Mississippi, who we are
- Ole Miss, gamedays in the Grove
- Ole Miss commencement, graduates guide
- Ole Miss event calendar, 2027 Commencement Convocation
- Ole Miss event calendar, 2027 commencement ceremonies
- University of Mississippi UAS Request Form
- FAA stadium flight restrictions
- Visit Oxford, Ole Miss
- Visit Oxford, the Square
- Visit Oxford, literature
- Visit Oxford, about Oxford
- Visit Oxford, Rowan Oak
- Visit Oxford, parks
- Visit Oxford, recreation
- Visit Oxford, home football weekends
- City of Oxford, parking
- U.S. Naval Observatory, sun and moon data
- NOAA, 1991 to 2020 climate normals
