Samford images are organized in Photoshelter, an online database. To request a high resolution image, search Photoshelter and email photography@samford.edu with the file names. Images may only be used to promote Samford and cannot be used for personal use. Due to copyright issues, you may not share these photos with students or other groups without consent from the Office of Marketing and Communication. 

Samford's Office of Marketing and Communication partners with reputable freelance photographers to fulfill the photography needs of campus. To schedule a university photographer, you must submit the photography request form at least two business days before your expected photoshoot date.

If you are part of one of our ten academic schools, please contact the marketing and communication colleague within your school to request a photographer. If you are not within an academic school, please complete the photo shoot request form. Once the request is received by photography services, a response will be provided within two business days.

If we are unable to fulfill your request, we will communicate with you via email. 

The Office of Marketing and Communication will only cover the cost for photoshoots with a defined marketing and communication purpose. For other requests, like for event coverage, headshots and group photos, the school or department that requests it will be responsible for covering the cost. Our photography payment guidelines explain in more detail.

All Samford employees are encouraged to have a professional headshot for use on the university website and communications. These photos are taken outdoors by a professional photographer, and the Office of Marketing and Communication will cover the cost.

Headshots are taken on the first Tuesday of each month from 10-10:30 a.m. in the rose garden, just adjacent to Harrison Theatre. There is no need to schedule an appointment in advance. In case of rain, the alternate location is at the front steps of the university library.

During each session, the photographer will capture one vertical and one horizontal image. The Office of Marketing and Communication will use the image that is captured; headshots cannot be edited.

Images of the Samford's campus are an important part of the university’s brand. Sharing the campus beauty with the public benefits the university, but protecting the university’s images from misuse or commercial gain is important.

Third parties wishing to use our facilities for photography, videography or film must submit a written request to photography@samford.edu for approval at least one week prior to the requested date. The request should include date, time frame, location, number of individuals involved, number of vehicles involved, distribution plans for the images and an on-site contact person name and cellphone number. Third parties are required to provide their own liability insurance in the following circumstances.

School groups wishing to use the university’s exterior campus locations for photographs, such as senior classes, marching bands, etc., must also submit a written request. For large shoots, please remember that significant advance notice is often required.

Once all information is received, the Office of Marketing and Communication will work with campus partners to confirm the availability of the requested space. Once approval has been granted or denied, marketing and communication will notify the requestor and all appropriate university offices.

Third parties must adhere to the following:

• Third party videography and photography may not disrupt normal university operations or scheduled events.
• Names of campus buildings or Samford emblems may not appear in any shots.
• Third party photography or videography is prohibited inside all campus buildings.
• Third parties must observe all university parking and safety regulations.
• If Samford University employees or students appear in any images, it is the responsibility of the third party to obtain proper release forms from those individuals.

Photography and videography of individuals on the grounds outside campus buildings for non-commercial use is permitted; however, it may not disrupt normal university operations. This might include brides, prom groups and families.

University employees providing photography or videography services on a freelance or contract basis to others are expected to adhere to these guidelines.

Samford students and employees should have no expectation of privacy when they are in a place to which substantial group of the campus community or public has access. Examples include, but are not limited to, the Quad, campus plazas, dining facilities and recreation venues, concerts, convocations, ceremonies, community worship, commencement, and athletic events. Subject to the requirements of governing law, including the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act, as amended (FERPA), Samford photographers and videographers may capture images of people, events and campus life for publication in print, digital and social media of the university.

Also, photographers and videographers should be mindful that even though a person may be in a so-called “public space,” it can still be “a wrongful intrusion into one’s private activities, in such a manner as to outrage or cause mental suffering, shame or humiliation to a person of ordinary sensibilities.” Therefore, pictures of people in any compromised circumstance (e.g. wind blowing dress up) are not permissible.

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