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 – the 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.

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 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 FAR BEYOND 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.

Eyes looking at lens exhibit confidence. Alternatively, eyes focused out of frame at the subject’s intellectual “destination” inject the viewer into the subject’s narrative.

Location is an important part of every story and exhibiting a sense of place will also enhance a FAR BEYOND image. Overall, it’s essential to exhibit Stony Brook’s reach and impact through diverse locations, preferably at a key moment of the narrative.

When taking “candid” photographs of students – whether they are studying, having fun, in a dining or residence hall, or interacting with faculty – these same guidelines apply.

 

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 (hands, tools, remnants of action) are key elements that can help bring the momentum of FAR BEYOND to life visually. While the image may be “still,” it should never feel static.

 

ENVIRONMENTS/LANDSCAPES

Environments/landscapes should feel big, colorful and cinematic. Low and high angles help to make a landscape or space appear more dynamic. When telling a Stony Brook story, look to go far beyond the campus boundaries to find locations that show the University’s impact in the local community and around the world.

 

“HERO” PHOTOS

The “hero” photo is an image that appears with the feature story at the top of the Stony Brook University home page. When shooting a “hero” photo, follow the photographic style guidelines outlined on this site. In addition, “hero” images must have clear space on the left side of the frame for headline text (see below). The main subject should be framed on the right-hand side so the text does not flow across the subject’s face or over critical parts of the photo.

 

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/orflyersto 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.

Printable Disclaimer Poster
Printable Disclaimer Flyer

 

GROUP PHOTOS

Sometimes there is a need for posed group photos to document important events and milestones. In these situations, arrange the subjects in a symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing manner with the principal individuals in the center of the frame. If a step and repeat is available, pose the group in front of it. If not, shoot in front of an uncluttered background.

 

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 

 

ADDITIONAL BRAND EXAMPLES

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/RELEASE 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.
Consent/Release Form »

SUNY LOCATION RELEASE
Grants formal consent to film and/or record on the Stony Brook campus. Keep the executed form on file.
Location Release Form »

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.

Printable Disclaimer Poster
Printable Disclaimer Flyer