Maryland Brand

Photography Guidelines

The University of Maryland uses high-quality photography, with crisp, vivid color, excellent composition and memorable images that showcase the beauty of the campus, the variety of academic opportunities and resources, its classical architecture and modern facilities, the diversity of its students and faculty, campus life, sports and the arts.

Photography Library

Brandportal.umd.edu (login required) offers a library of campus images. It is refreshed regularly with new images captured by the Office of Marketing and Communications (OMC) photo team. To request a licensed seat to log in, please email photo@umd.edu.

Iconic campus images are available to download without a login. Universityofmaryland.zenfolio.com is being phased out in favor of brandportal.com. It will no longer be updated.

The Office of Marketing and Communications covers as many aspects of campus life as possible. Colleges, schools and other units can contact OMC about availability and hourly rates, if warranted, or can hire freelance photographers to capture important events, people and student life happenings for their own marketing and promotional needs.

To request OMC photography, please fill out the following form.

Selecting Photos

  • Avoid stock photos as much as possible
  • Preserve the natural look of the subject; use colorizing or other dramatic filters with discretion.
  • Do not use overly staged photography.
  • Be mindful of the context in which images are used and the meaning they convey when taken out of that context. Avoid images that may inadvertently perpetuate stereotypes.
  • Include people and context in building photos to infuse them with life.
  • Credit source and/or the photographer whenever and wherever possible.

Shooting Photos

Effective photographs ...

  • Tell a story
  • Evoke a feeling
  • Are representative of the Terp community’s diversity
  • Have interesting angles and points of view
  • Convey a sense of place or of the subject
  • Have natural smiles and authentic interactions
  • Are bold, dynamic and bright

Request your subject’s name and cell phone number or email whenever possible to indicate consent. See Photo Release section.

Examples

Terp Thon steering committee members lead a “power hour” to pump up the tired crowd nearing the end of the annual fundraiser for Children’s National Hospital on March 12, 2022, at Reckord Armory. Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle
Terp Thon steering committee members lead a “power hour” to pump up the tired crowd nearing the end of the annual fundraiser for Children’s National Hospital on March 12, 2022, at Reckord Armory. Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle
Students on McKeldin Mall. Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle
Students on McKeldin Mall. Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle
Maurice Proctor, a member of the Piscataway Conoy Tribe, led the ground blessing ceremony on Nov. 2, 2021, for the new dining hall, Yahentamitsi, which is the first UMD building to be named for Maryland’s Native American heritage.  Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle
Maurice Proctor, a member of the Piscataway Conoy Tribe, led the ground blessing ceremony on Nov. 2, 2021, for the new dining hall, Yahentamitsi, which is the first UMD building to be named for Maryland’s Native American heritage. Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle
The M by John T. Consoli
The M by John T. Consoli

Portraits

Portraits should convey a sense of personality and authenticity with the following attributes:

  • A simple, uncluttered background or relevant props and environment
  • Natural light, when possible. Keep the sun behind the photographer.
  • Proximity to your subject, especially If your lenses are limited or you’re using a phone

Examples

Rita Colwell, a Distinguished University Professor with an appointment in the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, was the 2020 recipient of the William Bowie Medal from the American Geophysical Union. Photo by John T. Consoli
Rita Colwell, a Distinguished University Professor with an appointment in the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, was the 2020 recipient of the William Bowie Medal from the American Geophysical Union. Photo by John T. Consoli
Nikolas Francis is a percussionist in the D.C. jazz scene, an assistant professor in the Department of Biology and the first faculty member recruited by the new UMD Brain and Behavior Institute. Photo by John T. Consoli
Nikolas Francis is a percussionist in the D.C. jazz scene, an assistant professor in the Department of Biology and the first faculty member recruited by the new UMD Brain and Behavior Institute. Photo by John T. Consoli
Brittney Drakeford is a doctoral student in UMD’s School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, senior planner with Prince George’s County and community leader who has developed a neighborhood garden, opened farmers markets and is helping churches become hubs for nourishment. Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle
Brittney Drakeford is a doctoral student in UMD’s School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, senior planner with Prince George’s County and community leader who has developed a neighborhood garden, opened farmers markets and is helping churches become hubs for nourishment. Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle
Tesia Shi ‘23 started UMD’s chapter of Lean on Me, a national organization that offers anonymous peer support through text messages. Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle
Tesia Shi ‘23 started UMD’s chapter of Lean on Me, a national organization that offers anonymous peer support through text messages. Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle

Events

Event photography should capture the unique aspects of the event along with the sponsoring unit’s brand or mark. A photographer should seek opportunities to capture the interaction of the speaker(s) with the audience and shoot from different angles. Think variety: wide (overall, the entire event), medium (a close image of the audience or presenters engaged with the audience) and tight (close-up of speakers or presenters or interesting details).

Examples

University of Maryland Darryll J. Pines addresses the audience at his inauguration ceremony  on April 22, 2021. Photo by John T. Consoli
University of Maryland Darryll J. Pines addresses the audience at his inauguration ceremony on April 22, 2021. Photo by John T. Consoli
Department of Government and Politics Assistant Professor Chryl Laird talks with Tom Perez, former U.S. Secretary of Labor and former chair of the Democratic National Committee, at the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences’ annual Feller Lecture on April 21, 2022. Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle
Department of Government and Politics Assistant Professor Chryl Laird talks with Tom Perez, former U.S. Secretary of Labor and former chair of the Democratic National Committee, at the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences’ annual Feller Lecture on April 21, 2022. Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle
Student speaker Hannah Rhee addresses the crowd at Commencement in Maryland Stadium on May 21, 2021. Photo by John T. Consoli
Student speaker Hannah Rhee addresses the crowd at Commencement in Maryland Stadium on May 21, 2021. Photo by John T. Consoli

Campus Life

When considering scenic imagery, consider the time of day for lighting, the traffic pattern of the area and any zones with special privacy considerations (i.e. the Health Center, residence halls, the Center for Young Children). Other considerations:

  • People
  • Composition, leading lines and framing
  • Scale, depth and layers
  • Action within the space and sense of energy
  • Showcasing the functionality of spaces and their intended uses
Students gather to play spikeball on McKeldin Mall. Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle
Students gather to play spikeball on McKeldin Mall. Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle
An Edward St. John Learning and Teaching Center classroom. By John T. Consoli
An Edward St. John Learning and Teaching Center classroom. By John T. Consoli
Students flock to the First Look Fair every September to meet representatives of clubs and organizations across campus. Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle
Students flock to the First Look Fair every September to meet representatives of clubs and organizations across campus. Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle
The E.A. Fernandez IDEA Factory opened in Spring 2022 as a new hub for campus innovation. Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle
The E.A. Fernandez IDEA Factory opened in Spring 2022 as a new hub for campus innovation. Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle
Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Romel Gomez works with students for the E–Bike MPact Challenge in the A. James Clark Building’s Leidos Hall. Photo by John T. Consoli
Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Romel Gomez works with students for the E–Bike MPact Challenge in the A. James Clark Building’s Leidos Hall. Photo by John T. Consoli
Students in the School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies rehearse for weekend performances of “Fefu and Her Friends” at The Clarice in March 2022. Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle
Students in the School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies rehearse for weekend performances of “Fefu and Her Friends” at The Clarice in March 2022. Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle

Print images
CMYK color format: TIFF, PSD or JPEG at 300 dpi

Web/digital images
RGB color format: JPEG or PNG ranging from 72 dpi to 300 dpi

Photo Releases

Much of the campus is considered a public space, and releases are not required from people whose images are captured in photographs or video. Public spaces include:

  • Lobbies and atriums
  • Sports fields or arenas
  • UMD-sponsored events
  • Outdoor common spaces

Individuals have a limited scope of privacy rights when they are in public spaces. They can be photographed or recorded on video without their consent. Exceptions exist in places where individuals have a practical expectation of privacy, such as medical facilities, residence halls and the Center for Young Children.

When shooting close-up images of individuals in other campus spaces, photographers should inform the subjects that their image may be used for marketing or communication purposes and/or ask them to sign the Photo Release Form. A separate release is available for shoots involving minors, for parents or guardians to sign.

To maintain patient privacy and ensure HIPAA compliance, any photography or videography in or near the Health Center requires permission. Please contact photo@umd.edu for more information.

Respect the requests of community members not to be photographed, even in public spaces.