If you graduated in the past 30 years, chances are Nancy Newman took your picture. Although she doesn’t remember exactly which year was her first, “I know there have been three presidents during my time photographing Commencement.” That means if you shook the hand of Peter W. Stanley, David W. Oxtoby or the current president, G. Gabrielle Starr, then Newman might have snapped the shot.
Nancy Newman greets Oscar at the 1991 Academy Awards at the rhe Shrine Auditorium.
- At 5 years old, decide to work for newspapers one day. Pick up a camera as a freshman in college and never look back. “I fell in love,” Newman says. “I realized I could report local and national stories through the lens.”
- Work for newspapers for 10 years after graduating from the University of La Verne, then start your own business. Among your assignments: photographing five U.S. presidents, World Cup soccer and the Emmys and Oscars—including the 1991 Academy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
- Develop a wide variety of specialties, including graduations. “I’m honored to be a part of such a special day because I know how hard students work to achieve that goal and how hard their parents or loved ones worked to get them to that place.”
- Climb a ladder. Commencement was held in Bridges Auditorium when Newman started, and the stage is so high she had to perch on a ladder. Plus, it was before digital cameras: Newman was shooting film. Working with multiple cameras, as she finished one roll, she’d make a quick switch with an assistant at the bottom of the ladder who would hand her a loaded camera and reload the first.
- Fine-tune the art of capturing the moment. “When someone walks across the stage, their heads move or the tassel flips in front of their eyes or their mouth is open because they’re talking. I do three or four quick photos and pick what’s best. Sometimes they’re looking at the president. Other times they’re looking at me or out at their family. Whatever way they’re engaged, that’s my moment to capture the spirit and energy of that moment.”
- Put in some very long days. Newman usually arrives on campus around 8 a.m. on Commencement Day to check out the staging and photograph grads and their families. She did it this year, too—before heading to L.A. for the relocated ceremony. She’s not finished when the last graduate crosses the stage. After a break, she starts the post-production work. “I try to turn it around as quickly as possible. In my photography, I give it everything I have and then give some more, because I think it warrants that care for each student and their families.”
Newman with the Pomona College Class of 2024 at the Shrine.
- Experience the emptiness of three springs without on-campus Commencements, not only this year but also the pandemic cancellations in 2020 and 2021. “That was so strange. It felt like something was missing. You photograph something for so many years, it becomes part of your life.”
- Come full circle in 2024, when it’s back to the Shrine Auditorium, 33 years after shooting the Oscars there.
- Never forget the importance of each graduate’s photo. “It’s funny, I wonder if that’s part of why I take every single shot to heart. I had to pay my own way through college. When I finally saved enough money to buy the photos, I called and the photo company said they had destroyed them already. I never got one and so I work hard to try to get everyone their photos.”
- Keep a sense of humor, knowing that as the audience looks at the stage, they’re also staring at the photographer’s back. “The number of photos the back of my head must be in after 30 years!” Newman says with a laugh.
