Photography

Online Digital Photography Library

Those with an SVSU login and password can locate and download images from an online catalog at http://photos.svsu.edu/. 

Requesting Photography Services

• Photography requests can be submitted online using this Photo Request Form.
• Portraits also can be arranged using the Photo Request Form.

Using the online form, you can provide details such as date, location, subject (or event), time the photographer is expected to arrive and depart, a department contact person and telephone number, and other special instructions. Photo requests should be made at least two weeks before the event. 

Original photography services are available for assignments that have an editorial focus, with emphasis on academic and campus life. Photography that represents the university brand and key messages are priority photography opportunities.

The goal is to create content-driven images that have a potential for multiple and future use. The images also chronicle the growth of the institution and become part of SVSU’s archives.

University Communications provides limited photo coverage of university events. Original photography services exclusively for social media (i.e., Facebook) are provided as time and work load permit.

Images in the Digital Photo Catalog are available for use by on-campus departments, as well as for external use by request. University Communications will determine appropriate use of university images, including instances when permission of subjects in photographs is required before those images can be reproduced in printed or electronic communications.

In most cases, photography services are provided free of charge. Charges may be necessary for converting digital images to prints and slides, as well as for other photo-related services such as mounting and framing.

Copyrighted Photographs

Generally speaking, it is not necessary to obtain the consent of the subject(s) of a photograph to use the image, if the photograph was taken in the context of the individual(s) being out in public at the time the photograph was taken. For instance, photographs taken of people at an awards ceremony, in a classroom, or walking down the street can be used without consent. The law does recognize, however, that in some circumstances it may be an invasion of privacy to use the photographs of an individual without permission. Such invasion of privacy can be broken down into two major categories: invasion of the personal privacy of an individual; and, use of the image of a public figure for commercial purposes. The first category, invasion of personal privacy, is decided by the courts using a reasonable person standard. If a person is photographed in a private situation without their knowledge or consent, and if those photographs are disseminated, it can constitute an invasion of privacy. With respect to commercialization, if an individual has some public image, and if a picture of that person is used without consent to further a financial or business enterprise, such use may be legally prohibited.

Photos generally are copyrighted whether or not they carry a copyright notice. This legal protection includes photos reproduced for computer transmission, such as in Web pages and electronically-reproduced documents (i.e., PDF files available on line).

Another situation exists when the photographs taken are in the nature of a video of an educational, theatrical or other performance. In this context, the creator of the presentation being filmed has copyright in the expression of the artistic or educational work itself. In these situations, SVSU should definitely consider obtaining the written consent of the creators of the presentation, giving permission to SVSU to film and show the presentation in other contexts.

If you reproduce a photo from another university publisher or publication, you have no guarantee that the proper permissions have been obtained. As with all photo or video reproduction, be sure to obtain written permission from the copyright holder, and from any person whose image is identifiable in the picture, and be prepared to pay the necessary permission fees.