It can be challenging to find photography that meets the needs of communication materials, reflects our vision for inclusivity, and doesn’t come across as tokenizing. Below are tips for soliciting and using photography.
This can include clubs, group projects, labs where students typically work, or events.
Photos not taken in public spaces need explicit consent. Consent forms should be collected and retained. For events, consent can be collected through the registration process and through signage that clearly declares photos are being taken. If you have questions about event photography, please contact the College of Engineering events team who can advise.
We recommend providing a shot list and holding a meeting with photographers in advance to clarify what photos are desired. A shot list is a list of requested photos that helps ensure that you and the photographer have a shared understanding of what is needed. Need photos of specific speakers or students looking directly at the camera? Add it to your shot list to give to the photographer. Being clear about expectations can help set photographers up for success.
Singling out students can feel like tokenizing, especially if it seems like they were invited to a photo shoot only because of their appearance.
Tracking old pictures on the website is a big project. If you see a photo on the website of someone who is no longer a student or at the University of Washington, please connect with the Web team to update.
Be mindful of how often an image is used with the same audience.