Photography Request Form

If you are not able to find specific photography from our SJSU Photo Library, please submit a photography service request form and detail what you need.

We strive to accommodate as many requests as possible while maintaining the highest quality standards. In an effort to efficiently and effectively utilize our resources to best support high-impact projects that strengthen the university brand, the University Marketing and Communications team has developed prioritization tiers for photography requests.

University Marketing and Communications prioritizes Tier 1 and Tier 2 photography, and will, in most cases, provide the requester with alternative options for Tier 3 photography, including outsourced photography options.

• Tier 1: Premier Marketing Imagery 

  • Tier 1 photos are the highest quality images used to showcase our brand and key messages. They are distinctive to SJSU, are planned in advance, and are shot and edited by a professional photographer — typically with a lot of thought and planning going into each shot. They are used in our most important and visible marketing materials.

    Examples: Marketing, fundraising and/or advertising campaigns, SJSU homepage imagery, special requests from the Office of the President

• Tier 2: Strategic Communication Photography 

  • Tier 2 photos are also of high quality, but not as unique as Tier 1. They are shot by a professional photographer, who may have less control over the shoot, producing candid photos that can tell the story of our university and communicate our key messages. 

    Examples: High-impact events (Commencement, Fall Welcome, etc.), stories featured on the SJSU NewsCenter, Washington Square: The Magazine, special projects

• Tier 3: Documentation Photography   

  • Tier 3 photos include casual snapshots, group photos from award ceremonies or meetings, and similar occurrences. These photos are useful for internal communications and for documentation of an event, but not for marketing materials. 

    Examples: Tours of campus, department/division award ceremonies, speaker presentations

• Outsourced Photography  

  • Certain photography requests may need to be outsourced due to various factors such as bandwidth, funding, and other commitments. Outsourced photography requires funding. University Marketing and Communications can assist with connecting with a vendor for photography as needed. 

• Professional Headshots  

  • We are thrilled to announce a new collaboration between University Marketing and Communications and the Career Center to provide professional headshot services for faculty and staff.

    Starting in the Fall 2024 semester, this service will support the professional needs of SJSU community by offering high-quality headshots suitable for professional profiles, websites, publications, and more.

    Drop-In Hours*: 

    Day: Fridays
    Time: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
    Location: Career Center (ADM 255)

    *Faculty and staff are welcome to drop in during these hours without an appointment. This convenient walk-in service ensures everyone has the opportunity to update their professional images easily and efficiently.

    Appointment Scheduling:

    For those unable to attend during drop-in hours, appointments can be scheduled by sending an email to career-headshots@sjsu.edu.

Permissions

Photos are not to be used by any company or organization outside of SJSU without first obtaining permission from University Marketing and Communications. All rights are reserved and photo assets are the copyright of SJSU.

Approved vendors, freelancers and contractors must fill out a contact form to gain access to the photography library. Please make sure to indicate your point of contact at San José State University, provide some details to the project you are working on, and specify the images you are looking for.

NOTE: It is never appropriate — or legal — to use an image from another source in print, on the web or on social media without obtaining permission from the image’s owner. 

External Photography Requests

External media outlets, businesses and others may request permission to use photos. If you are contacted by an outside organization for photos or you wish to obtain permission to send photos to an organization outside of SJSU, please contact UMC at communications@sjsu.edu. Once approved, photos should include proper credit ("Photographer's name/San José State University").