The photograph collection at Special Collections and University Archives consists primarily of historical photographs of Virginia Tech, dating back to the 1890s. Subjects include, but are not limited to: athletics, the Corps of Cadets, campus views and buildings, events and celebrations, Agricultural Extension sites/work, and candid images of students and campus groups. A alphabetically organized photograph collection of faculty and staff from the university is maintained separately.

The collection is also home to historic images of Blacksburg, Montgomery County, the New River Valley, and Southwest Virginia in general. Subjects include, but are not limited to: historic sites and buildings, Blacksburg views and buildings, scenes from surrounding towns/cities/counties, agriculture activities, and candid images of people.