Photography

Event Photography

If you would like to have a photographer for an event, you will need to hire one. Allow at least a week before the event to be sure you can get on a photographer’s schedule. If you need help choosing a photographer, call OPR at 535-2276 and we can recommend someone whose style is appropriate for your job. Prices vary.

News Photography

The Office of Public Relations does not have a staff photographer. There are times when staff members will take pictures of an announcement, a presentation or an award ceremony for publication in Plymouth Week or on the Web. Getting us information about your news in advance enables the public relations staff to evaluate appropriate photo opportunities. The decision to take pictures will be based on staff availability and whether the proposed photo is newsworthy. You may also submit your own photos (digital photos are acceptable for news releases). Someone from OPR will determine which photos are appropriate to accompany a news release or for Plymouth Week.

Photo Release Form

Public Relations requests that written consent in the form of a photo release (PDF) be obtained when photographs of classrooms, presentations, special events or general interest groupings will be used for print or Web publications. Please bring copies of these to Public Relations at the time of photo submission.

Although photos taken in the public realm do not require a photo release form, USNH General Counsel encourages us to demonstrate respect for the privacy of our students, staff, contractors and visitors by informing them when we will be photographing events and that we will do our best to seek their consent to publish photos that contain personally identifiable subjects. Release forms are the best defense against claims for invasion of privacy, even where a photograph is taken in a public area.

Places constituted as private realm are private homes and resident rooms in dormitories operated by postsecondary educational institutions and do legally require a photo release to be signed by the owner of the residence and all pictured.

Download the Photo Release( 235 Kb)

Image Quality and File Size

The images in your publication or online say a lot about your event, program or department. A photo with good lighting, strong composition and interesting interaction will make a positive statement about your program and engage your reader with the subject matter. Conversely, a poorly lit, muddy image will not make a good statement in your department brochure or on your Web site, regardless of subject matter. What makes a good photo? Digital snapshots are easy to take and then share electronically, but often the quality, composition or file size make them unusable. Here are some tips for photos that will reproduce well in print:

• Generally, digital files should be measured in megabytes (MB) not kilobytes (KB). Many digital cameras take what printers term “low-resolution images.” If you are not sure whether your file will work, give us a call.
• Web images are very small files that have been optimized for fast loading. They won’t work in print.
• Color photo prints and slides are wonderful media, but if the color is too yellow, too dark or too light, there is only so much that even a Photoshop expert can do with them.
• Composition: Try to avoid flagpoles, potted plants, light fixtures, etc. looking as though they are growing out of peoples’ heads. Also, be aware of dark shadows on faces and wide gaps of space between people.
• Avoid positioning someone up against a flat wall and taking a flash photograph. The shadows cast by the flash are difficult to deal with.
• Photo release forms are important to obtain and keep on file in the Public Relations office. Please always submit a photo release when you submit a photo.
• If your photo is for Web or a Power Point presentation, most digital camera images will be fine. Signed photo releases are still important.

As always, Public Relations is here to help you. If you have specific questions about one of your photos, please do not hesitate to call us at 535-2276.