Photography is a powerful visual aspect of our brand, helping us craft our narrative and show the world who we are. Our brand photography puts an emphasis on what makes Mizzou great — the people, campus, hands-on learning, collaborations and the varied landscape of Missouri.
To help you show what makes Mizzou great, the following resources are available in addition to the guidelines here:
Mizzou Photography Style
Our brand photography puts an emphasis on what makes Mizzou great — the people, campus, hands-on learning and collaboration, and the varied landscape of Missouri.
Photography should incorporate or simulate natural light and sun-drenched settings. Be creative with your angles. Shoot high and low, close-up and wide.
Additional lighting and staging may be required to achieve these shots; however, actual Mizzou students must be used and the situations portrayed should be accurate representations of real life. Setting, clothing and groupings may be manipulated during the photoshoot but not in post-production.
People
Use natural light (or simulate natural light) to capture authentic personalities and individuals engaged in the moment.
Campus
We’re proud of our beautiful campus and encourage capturing dynamic photography of the Quad, the Columns, Tiger Plaza and more. Try using elevated views, unique framing and close crops of details to add visual interest and excitement.
Hands-on learning & collaboration
We are a campus full of learners, and photography can show that.
Hands-on: Capture contextual clues to indicate what type of hands-on experience is happening. Photograph individuals from low positions. Include close crops of activity and wide-angle shots of the environment.
Collaboration: Be part of the group! Take photos from the perspective of a group member. Include wide shots of the group to emphasize individuals working together. Create situations where individuals are presenting/leading group conversations. Capture multiple angles from high and low perspectives and include detail shots of what is being worked on.
Landscape
Images of landscapes speak to the varied landscape of Missouri. They can also relate to subject matter or serve as texture when visual interest is needed.
Photography/Videography of Laboratory Work & Spaces
The University of Missouri is committed to fostering a safety culture which upholds our mission of excellence in teaching and research. When taking photos and videos of laboratories spaces and lab workers, please follow these guidelines to ensure the final product does not accidentally depict unsafe activities or environments where the lab space or workers are not observing proper personal equipment and safety procedures.
For full Health & Safety procedures, please review the University Business Policies and Procedure Online Manual Chapter 7: Health & Safety.
The Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) staff are available to help laboratories and ensuring photos and video meet safety guidelines, saving both time and money. Please reach out to EHS staff for assistance with your project by calling 882-7018 or emailing ehs@missouri.edu.
Guidelines for Photographers
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- When setting up sessions in lab spaces, make sure to review the guidelines here and on the Health & Safety website. To ensure success, please involve EHS staff early in the process.
- Photographers must wear the following:
- Full length pants (or equivalent)
- Top that covers torso and arms
- Closed toe, closed heel shoes
- Safety glasses
- Any additional Personal Protective Equipment deemed necessary by laboratory staff
- Must observe all Environmental Health & Safety laboratory safety policies and procedures as well as any additional lab-specific safety rules.
- Must be escorted by someone familiar with the lab’s safety requirements.
- Leave bags, coats, and any food or drink items outside of the lab, including cosmetics. Only bring items necessary to production to avoid possible contamination.
- When taking photos/video of lab personnel:
- Avoid documenting common unsafe practices such as:
- Lab personnel looking at a container of liquid held above eye level
- Lab personnel performing their activities without lab coats, safety glasses (or goggles in chemistry labs), or gloves
- Handling cell phones
- Smelling a chemical
- Avoid documenting common unsafe practices such as:
Guidelines for Lab Workers/Photography Subjects in Labs
Individuals being photographed must wear:
- Full length pants (or equivalent);
- Top that covers torso and arms;
- Closed toe, closed heel shoes;
- Properly fitted lab coat, buttoned or snapped to its full length;
- Safety glasses or goggles, as appropriate;
- Disposable gloves;
- Any additional personal protective equipment necessary to safely conduct the activities depicted. “Staged” photos of simulated lab work should be representative of the real hazards that normally would be encountered.
Before any photos are taken, lab personnel shall inspect the lab and remedy the following unsafe conditions:
- Remove excess clutter from bench tops, counters, or other visible areas;
- Verify that there are no blocked fire extinguishers, aisles, safety shower or eyewash, or exit paths;
- Check to see that compressed gas cylinders are properly secured;
- Verify that all visible chemicals are properly stored and labeled;
- Remove waste items from the subject area whenever possible;
- Remove items from fume hoods that are not in active use.
Avoid common unsafe practices such as:
- Lab personnel looking at a container of liquid held above eye level;
- Lab personnel performing their activities without lab coats, safety glasses (or goggles), and gloves;
- Handling cell phones;
- Smelling a chemical
Photo-Editing Guidelines
At Mizzou, we want our photos to be credible and genuine. When editing photos for campus marketing, advertising and promotional materials, please make sure the final product is clear, honest and accurately communicates with our audiences.
We allow the following post-production techniques:
- Color and tone correction
- White balance
- Dodging and burning
- Cropping
We do not allow the following post-production techniques:
- Photomanipulation in any form (this includes swapping heads and/or bodies of people pictured as well as removing buildings, signs or markers that would create confusion if the photo was used to reference a specific location.)
- Recoloring photos containing people (monotone, duotone, and blending modes)
Technical touch up for the removal of minor blemishes is acceptable. Digital tools may be used to diminish visual elements, but should not be used to eliminate those elements entirely.
Crediting Photography & Copyright
University photography provided to an outside publication
When providing photography to an outside publication, the University of Missouri should be credited using the following: Photo courtesy of the Curators of the University of Missouri
Approved outside photography used by the university
Once you’ve received permission to use a photo, you may be asked to add a credit. Photo credits should include the photographer’s name and/or organizational affiliation.
Ex: Photo courtesy of Boone County Historical Society
Copyrighted Photography
The photos you see on Google or on a stock website are copyrighted, and you need permission to use them. Do not use photos without first gaining approval from the copyright holder, which may include crediting them in text near the photo.
Photo Releases
University of Missouri photographers and videographers must obtain a signed release form from any person appearing in media to be used by the university in any capacity. No photo, video, audio recording or other multimedia projects may be published, posted online or shared publicly without the express written consent of all participants.
Photography, Video & Audio Release Forms
Online form*
*When using the online form, please provide participants with the name and email address of the person in your unit responsible for receiving the completed release forms.
Printable PDF – English
Printable PDF – Spanish
Privacy
Missouri courts recognize tort actions relating to invasion of privacy, including:
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- Publication of private embarrassing facts
- Appropriation of name or likeness
- Publicly portraying a person in a false light
In addition, federal statutes govern the release or publication of personal information. Be aware of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
MU communications professionals sharing any information about students or educational records must understand and comply with FERPA. FERPA protects the privacy of the “educational records” of current and former students.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
MU communications professionals sharing any individual health-related information must understand and comply with provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).