PHOTOGRAPHIC STYLE
Our brand photography provides viewers the ability to have a visual, emotional and immersive connection with the University as it shows the people, places and actions that take Stony Brook far beyond the expected.
Capturing moments in time that feel real – people doing what they do in the places where they do it – is essential to demonstrating a passion for the positive change that unites everyone at Stony Brook.
ALWAYS REMEMBER
- The details of each shot lift the generic into special.
- Every frame reveals a face, a unique location or object and is motivated by a relevant action. A great photograph combines several of these things.
- Each photograph should aim to visualize the momentum of our brand.
- Action shots use motion blur and dynamic framing to pull us into the movement, portraits of people show them in motion or in thought and looking towards their intellectual destination.
- When choosing an image, consider all of the elements to bring as much momentum to the photo as possible.
- In a still life, the trace of human impact is always visible.
AND NEVER FORGET
- Because our brand photography should feel real, avoid overly lit environments and artificial poses; our images should never feel like stock.
- Ultimately and critically, every shot is a powerful opportunity to showcase the spirit of our brand personality: driven, curious, hands-on, welcoming and proud.
Portraits
The faces of Stony Brook are an integral and featured element of the Dare To Be story. It’s the passion of our students, faculty, researchers, alumni and staff that transform our brand pillars into dynamic stories, showing real, tangible examples of what positive momentum looks like.
DO
Have the subject looking directly into the lens as it exhibits confidence. Shoot in natural light whenever possible.
DO
Have the subject focused out of frame atthe subject’s intellectual “destination.”
Use interesting angles and perspectives.
DO
Photograph students or faculty in their academic environment. Location is an important part of every story and exhibiting a sense of place.
DON'T
Photograph the subject on a solid background or in a studio.
DON'T
Photograph extreme closeups of students or faculty.
DON'T
Photograph out of focus subjects inthe foreground.
Still Life
Still-life photography can illuminate an important part of the Stony Brook story: the hands-on education that the University provides across all disciplines.
Dynamic angles and human intervention can help bring the momentum of university life visually. While the image may be “still,” it should never feel static.
DO
Show human intervention by photgraphing hands in action or tools.
DO
Photograph up close by using a zoom lens or standing close to the subject.
DO
Photograph with a shallow depth of field to bring focus to the object.
DON'T
Photograph with a macro lens. Details should always be recognizable.
DON'T
Stylize the still life. Do not use lighting equipment or backdrops.
DON'T
Use a shallow depth of field that obscures the content.
Environments and Landscapes
Environments/landscapes show off our beautiful spacious campus. The photos should feel big, colorful and cinematic. Low and high angles help to make a landscape or space appear more dynamic.
DO
Use a wide angle lens for the environment to appear vast. Include people in the space but they should not be the primary focus.
DO
Use high and low angles. Use motion blur for people close to the foreground.
DO
Photograph beyond the campus boundaries to find locations that show the University’s impact in the local community and around the world.
DON'T
Photograph with a focus on people within the environment. The environment should be wide and the primary focus.
DON'T
Photograph the environment in inclement weather unless it’s actively snowing or raining. If there are no people in the photo, the environment itself should appear lively.
DON'T
Photograph the environment completely empty or devoid of life.
Hero Photos
The “hero” photo is an image that appears with the feature story at the top of the Stony Brook University homepage, or on a university web site homepage. When choosing photos for the hero, follow the photographic style guidelines in this guide, and the Modern Campus CMS support site.
DO
Allow for clear space on the left side of the frame for headline text on desktop and clear space at the top for mobile for SBU homepage hero images. For internal web site homepage hero images, headline text can be positioned on either side, or along the bottom.
DON'T
Crop the photos in a way that cuts off the subject’s head or any important piece of information. Don’t use imagery that is busy with no clear space for text.
Events
Photography from Stony Brook events should always retain a high production quality but not feel forced, overly lit or posed. The intent of event photography is to capture a moment in time, while adhering to the guidelines for portraits, still lives and environments. Every photo taken at an event is an opportunity to draw the viewer in and tell a visual story.
If you are having photos taken at an event you are planning, please print and post these posters and/or flyers to let your attendees know that they may be photographed. This is our legal disclaimer, but should not take the place of getting photo releases whenever possible.
Please note that photo releases should be filled out by parents of any minors you are photographing.
DO
Capture a moment in time. Photograph people engaged and having fun.
DO
Photograph close-ups of people speaking or engaging in conversation.
DO
Crop photos in on people enjoying themselves to show authentic emotion.
DON'T
Photograph people appearing not engaged. Our students and faculty should always appear deep in thought, in conversation or enthusiastic.
DON'T
Photograph people eating as chewing or biting is unattractive.
DON'T
Photograph people appearing in an empty space. Our events should look full and lively.
Group Photos
Sometimes there is a need for posed group photos to document important events and milestones.
DO
If a step-and-repeat is available, pose the group in front of it. If a step-and-repeat is not available, pose the group in front of an uncluttered background.
DO
Arrange the subjects in a symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing manner with the principal individuals in the center of the frame.
DO
Photograph from above if space is limited.
DON'T
Crop over the group’s heads. Always leave ample space between the head and top of the composition.
DON'T
Pose groups against a busy background or in front of other people.
DON'T
Pose groups off-center or away from the main focal point. Group photos should always be centered.
Photo Credits
When crediting photos, be sure to follow our Editorial Guidelines. Freelance photographers should be listed alphabetically first. Then, all photos taken by employees of Stony Brook University are credited as just “Stony Brook University” in photo credits. Credits for photos that are given “courtesy of” should come last in alphabetical list.
Example: Photos: Sam Levitan, Juliana Thomas, Stony Brook University and courtesy of Turkana Basin Institute
Photo Library
All faculty and staff are able to access our photo library, SB Asset Portal.
INSTRUCTIONS TO ACCESS SB ASSET PORTAL:
- Go to assets.stonybrook.edu.
- Sign in by clicking on the large red button that says "Use your NetID Single Sign-On credentials."
- Enter your Net ID and password.
- Click Login.
- To find photos, click on Assets in the top navigation.
- Use the smart filters and the search bar to find the assets you are looking for.
- Click on Brand, to quickly narrow down assets for Stony Brook University, Stony Brook Medicine or Athletics.
- Click on Asset Type to further narrow down your search.
- Click on Asset Type > PDF Archive to look through our PDfs
See the bottom of the page for tabs to Support, Interactive FAQ and Knowledge Base. Click on the Interactive FAQ to learn how to search and download assets, among other tasks. The system will walk you through the process.
If you have questions, use the Support tab and your question will be directed to the person who can help you.
If you would like to request files for a project you see in our PDF archive, send an email with exact file name to Alina Rossi (alina.rossi@stonybrook.edu) and copy Karen Leibowitz (karen.leibowitz@stonybrook.edu). We will send you the files.
Photo Consent/Resease Forms
CONSENT FORM
Download the form linked below and use it to obtain formal consent from the subjects of your photos, videos, recordings, etc. Keep the executed form on file.
SUNY LOCATION RELEASE
Grants formal consent to film and/or record on the Stony Brook campus. Keep the executed form on file.
If you are having photos taken at an event you are planning, please print and post these posters and/or flyers to let your attendees know that they may be photographed. This is our legal disclaimer, but should not take the place of getting photo releases whenever possible.
Please note that photo releases should be filled out by parents of any minors you are photographing.