Iowa City and Coralville are full of great places to take pictures. But you’re not limited to the same three places as everyone else! If you dread waiting in line to take prom or homecoming pictures with your friends and family—or heck, even if you don’t mind—this list is for you.
What to look for in a good photo location
A pretty backdrop
Modern architecture works great with the sparkly dress + tux duo, but if your outfits are Roaring 20s inspired, vintage locations are a better fit.
Shade
Let me say it again for the people in the back: A GOOD PROM/HOMECOMING PHOTO LOCATION IS SHADED.
And a specific type of shade, too. Open shade, meaning that above your head is open to the sky.
In the list below, one thing they all have in common is that they are shaded by something (a building, or very tall trees).
Photos taken in full sun at 4:30pm are not flattering, so find a place that has a backdrop you like and is in open shade.
Good light
Look for open shade, like I described above, in a spot where you aren’t facing a close-by wall or building.
It creates shadows.
Here’s a trick to find the good light: Take a photo, then rotate your subjects 90 degrees and take another. Look at their faces in each photo; you’ll see the bad light!
Hard surfaces
Unless you’re being paid to aerate a lawn, heels and grass do not go together. Choose a spot with pavement. And while we’re on that note…
Safety
Stay away from cliffs and other places where taking photos of girls teetering on their tiptoes is just idiotic.
Close parking
Have you ever walked 300 yards in platform heels? Then you’ll know why this matters.
Public property (or private with permission)
Don’t get arrested on the big night. Orange jumpsuit is not a good look.
The most popular locations for Iowa City prom and homecoming pics
Voxman Music Building
- Where: Downtown Iowa City
- Type: Indoors
- Why it’s good: Neutral color palette means colorful dresses and black suits really POP!
- You should know… This is probably the most popular spot; it’ll be BUSY… expect a line to take your turn.
- Where to go: Most use the main stairway (see photo above), or the area at the top of the stairs.
- Pro tip: Don’t ignore the second, smaller stairway that goes from the ground floor up to Level 2 (you can see it in the upper right of the photo). It works great too!
Art Building West
- Where: Downtown Iowa City
- Type: Outdoors
- Why it’s good: The backdrop at this location is the real star: old limestone cliffs from its days as a rock quarry, the pond, and the architecture.
- You should know… red or green dresses may clash with the building; frame your photos with the cliffs/pond in the backdrop instead.
- Where to go: The walkway (blue arrow above) is the WORST spot due to bad lighting. I made a quick video to show you where the best light is. In short: The green and yellow arrows above are my picks.
Old Capitol
- Where: Downtown Iowa City
- Type: Outdoors
- Why it’s good: The neutral colors of the historic Old Capitol building are a pretty backdrop for colorful outfits. Stairs make for easy posing of groups.
- You should know… in April and May, you’ll be dodging groups of seniors taking graduation pics and many champagne sprays. Consider yourself warned.
- Where to go: If you can snag an area on the center sidewalk, but in the shadow of the Old Cap, that’s the primo spot.
- Pro tip: The flower beds to the left and right of the Herky statue (see photo) are a great backdrop too, especially if the center sidewalk is crowded.
Visual Arts Building
- Where: Downtown Iowa City
- Type: Indoors or outdoors
- Why it’s good: Neutral color palette and plenty of stairs.
- You should know… The east side of Viz Arts is not good for close-up photos; its textured exterior is too distracting and visually busy. Use the southeast corner (where the steps are) instead.
- Pro tip: Check the building hours before heading over.
Hancher Auditorium
- Where: North of downtown Iowa City
- Type: Outdoors
- Why it’s great: Well… it’s more “good” than great. The entrance side of the building has the best view, but it’s not shaded (the perspective in the photo above is my favorite). Best case scenario, it’s overcast and you can be near the entrance for the best angles without worrying about sun in your face.
- Where to go: If it’s sunny, go to the east (Iowa River) side, facing north or south. That puts the building at your 3 or 6 o’clock, not right behind the subject.
- You should know… If it’s breezy, the south side turns into a wind tunnel. Hairdos beware.
Iowa Advanced Tech Labs (IATL)
- Where: Downtown Iowa City
- Type: Outdoors
- Why it’s good: People like the south side of the building, between the Iowa Memorial Union and IATL, for its shiny facade and the interesting backdrop it creates.
- Where to go: Find a shady spot and make sure the sun isn’t reflecting off the building onto your camera, or your photos will be too hazy. There are a couple of nooks and crannies on the south side of the building that should work well.
- Pro tip: Too sunny? Mosey over to the east side of the building where there’s a stone wall by the bike racks that’s guaranteed to be shady in the afternoon, and makes for a nice neutral backdrop.
- Pro tip: There’s construction at IATL and it’s made some spots inaccessible or cluttered with equipment. It wraps up in 2027.
Hidden gem locations for Iowa City prom and homecoming pics
Sometimes the old standbys won’t do, whether because of the crowds or because it’s just your aesthetic. When UNIQUE is the vibe you’re after, check out these wonderful options!
Stanley Museum of Art
- Where: Downtown Iowa City
- Type: Outdoors
- Why it’s good: Clean, modern architecture that lets colorful dresses and suits take center stage. Shaded in the afternoon and plenty of stairs for posing groups!
- Where to go: The east side entrance steps.
- You should know… Parking is available under the building, but be sure to pay. Parking watches the underground garage 24/7.
- Pro tip: Don’t limit yourself to the steps! I like the spot next to the building’s glass facade (you’ll have to walk in a bit of mulch), and the concrete wall at left in the photo above can be a neat spot for 1-2 people.
The Pentacrest
- Where: Downtown Iowa City
- Type: Outdoors
- Why it’s great: Every April, a cluster of redbud trees on the Pentacrest blooms and it creates a GORGEOUS backdrop.
- Where to go: The redbuds are northwest of the Old Capitol building, right on the sidewalk.
- You should know… Be sure to scout this spot beforehand to make sure the trees are still blooming!
- Pro tip: Park on Clinton Street and walk around the Old Capitol. It’s not a super long walk, but ladies may want to remove their heels. Bonus: You can grab some shots at the Old Capitol while you’re there.
Johnson County Courthouse
- Where: Downtown Iowa City
- Type: Outdoors
- Why it’s great: Nearby parking, stairs for posing large groups, and a unique vibe for photos when you don’t want to look like everyone else.
- Where to go: Stick to the east side (that’s her best side anyway) and set up right at the edge of the shade created by the courthouse. There are two sets of stairs; one closer to the courthouse and one nearer the street.
- You should know… The courthouse sidewalk is public property, but don’t block the sidewalk if people are around. And it should go without saying, but don’t be disruptive or disrespectful.
RISE at Riverfront Crossings
- Where: Downtown Iowa City
- Type: Outdoors
- Why it’s great: Clean modern architecture, stairs and ledges for posing groups, nearby parking, and no crowds.
- Where to go: The northeast corner of the building, shown in the photo above.
- Pro tip: The steps are a great start, but you can also play with the edges and ledges to arrange a group in fun ways. (See what I mean in this wedding photo from an Italian celebrity wedding.)
- Where it is: Located just south of the Ped Mall in downtown Iowa City.
Hyatt Regency Terrace & Iowa River Wetland Park
- Where: Iowa River Landing, Coralville
- Type: Outdoors
- Where it is: Iowa River Landing, Coralville
- Why it’s great: Between the beautifully landscaped, multi-level Hyatt terrace and the walkways over the wetland, there are lots of opportunities here.
- Where to go: The key here is to avoid direct sunlight. Try the terrace near the hotel (if it’s not being used for an event) first; it’ll be shaded.
- Pro tip #1: My fave spots are at the red arrows above (arrows point in the direction the photographer should face). If it’s cloudy or there’s softer light near golden hour, the wetland walkway works!
- SUPER IMPORTANT pro tip: The terrace is Hyatt property, not a public park. Hyatt events take precedence and will mean it’s off-limits to photos, so call the front desk at (319) 688-4000 and ask before making this your photo location.
Brewery Square / Northside Neighborhood
- Where: Northside neighborhood, downtown Iowa City
- Type: Outdoors
- Where it is: On Market Street in downtown Iowa City, between Linn St. and Dubuque St.
- Where to go: The steps/entrance in the middle of the photo above.
- Why it’s great: A few steps, a historic building with beautiful brick, and depending on the angle of the sun, usually shaded but not too dark.
- Pro tip: If the sun is too bright on this side of the building, go to the northeast corner and use the entrance stairs there!
Iowa River Trail Bridge
- Where: Coralville
- Type: Outdoors
- Where it is: 515 1st Avenue, Coralville, IA
- Why it’s great: Parking is right there and bridges make for the best leading lines.
- Where to go: Walk over the main channel toward the area shaded by the trees (see below).
- Pro tip: Face east for better light!
Quick picks
Best for indoors: Voxman
Best classic campus look: Old Capitol
Best modern look: Stanley Museum / RISE
Best hidden gem: Brewery Square
Best if you want nature nearby: Hyatt terrace or Iowa River Trail
Bottom line?
Whether you go with Old Capitol, Stanley, Voxman, or one of the lesser-known spots, the biggest thing to remember is this: light matters more than location.
A beautiful place with bad light will still give you mediocre photos.
A good prom or homecoming pic location looks pretty, makes you look good, and won’t make everybody hate their life before photos even start.
If you’d rather not play detective with parking, lighting, crowds, and whether platform heels can survive the walk, I know a gal. *wink*
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