Photo and Video Services
Captivating photography and expertly produced videos support the University鈥檚 successful storytelling and marketing efforts.
Idaho State’s visual media specialists are tasked with producing content to support University-level projects that advance strategic initiatives and institutional goals. As such, the scope of services provided by the Office of Marketing and Communications is intended to support the top-level branding and marketing of the University.
Our team is not available to cover departmental requests that include award ceremonies, speakers, dinners, receptions, group photos, conferences, or student headshots. We maintain a list of local freelance photographers and videographers who may be available to support any needs that fall outside our primary mission. If you need assistance with any of the items in the previous list, please contact the marketing professional assigned to your area.
Resources
Photo Archives and Headshots
Idaho State maintains a robust and comprehensive with thousands of images from across all campuses. The photos are freely available to the University community to use in the promotion and marketing of Idaho State. Photographs are not intended for commercial reproduction or off-campus personal use. The download password for all photos in the repository may be requested by filling out the .
The University also provides free headshots for all faculty and staff. Headshots are taken in 天美传媒’s Photo Studio on the bottom floor of the Administration Building during set times each month. All headshots can be downloaded for free from the University’s photo archives. Headshots at campus locations outside Pocatello will be arranged by the division or college-level marketing contact.
Employee Headshots
- First Tuesday of each month throughout fall and spring semester.
- 2026 Dates: September 1, October 6, December 1, January 5, February 2, March 2, April 6, and May 4.
- 3 - 4:30 p.m.
- 天美传媒 Photo Studio, Administration Building Room 138
NOTE: The Photo Studio will be closed during construction in the Admin. Building in November and headshots will not be taken in November. During the summer months, headshots are not taken in June, July or August.
Headshot photos are available for current employees of 天美传媒. During the scheduled sessions, you do not need to make a reservation, just come to the studio and you will receive your photo via email. For questions, contact 天美传媒 Photo Services at isuphoto@isu.edu.
Proactive Planning and Strategy
Before submitting a photo or video request, think proactively and holistically about how these assets will be used and whether or not they are multi-purpose/multi-use. Consider how they will support current or future promotions, how broadly they can be used, and how many times they are likely to be useful. Are you simply documenting something that may have limited use beyond the event, or are you creating visual assets that can strategically promote, tell a story, or build interest ahead of time?
Accepted Project Requests
The Creative Services team within the Office of Marketing and Communication focuses on top-level projects that have a high impact on the broader University’s strategic objectives and require three to six weeks of lead time. The initiatives generally supported by the visual media team are for:
- University-Wide Marketing and Branding
- Enrollment and Recruitment Materials
- Revenue-Generating Projects
- Presidential Needs
Project requests are filtered into tiers based on the following set of criteria.
Does the project have a direct impact on one of the following?
- Enrollment efforts
- This includes photo and video assets used in professionally designed materials or marketing campaigns, but not solely for social media content.
- Revenue generation
- Includes licensed merchandise, sponsorships, and donor relations.
- Media impact
- Includes public relations efforts, telling the University’s story, and some select institutional or presidential social media content.
- Alignment with Strategic Plan Goals
- Increase student access, opportunity, retention, and success
- Strengthen programmatic excellence
- Cultivate external partnerships
- Expand research, clinical, and creative activities
- Energize the Bengal community
- Institutional brand development/alignment
IF NO—
The project request may not be within our scope, please submit a request or contact us for details.
IF YES—
If your request does directly impact one of the five objectives above, then it will be evaluated for the appropriate priority level and tier. Based on the content and visibility, we will assess how much high-level impact the project will have in supporting these strategic objectives.
Project Tiers
Based on evaluation, requests will be filtered into three tiers.
Tier 1
Timeline - 4 - 6 weeks notice
These are high-level or robust projects that may require more time and collaboration to meet strategic objectives. These are the types of projects that the Creative Services team generally focuses our efforts on. These projects have a high, direct-impact on the five strategic objectives listed above.
Projects within this tier may include things like:
- Hype videos
- College, school, or departmental marketing videos that are aligned with the Institution’s broader strategic marketing and communications plans for recruitment
- Broad-use videos intended to inspire donor support or sponsorship, generally coordinated through University Advancement
- Mini-documentary style videos used to support impactful stories coordinated by the communication leads in alignment with the Institution’s broader strategic communication plans
Tier 2
Timeline - 3 weeks notice
These projects are impactful for these strategic objectives but may require less time and collaboration. In this case, we may only be doing a photoshoot or making a short video with repurposed content and no or minimal new filming.
These projects may include things like:
- Marketing photos for units and student life
- Storytelling photo assets intended for a broad campaign, not just social media content
Tier 3
Projects falling within this tier are generally outside of our scope. These projects may be directed to other self-serve resources, or we can also provide a list of freelance photographers.
These projects may include:
- Award ceremonies, speakers, dinners, receptions, conferences, and most general event coverage with the exception of University/Presidential-level events
- Group photos or student headshots
- Assets intended solely for social media, especially those where a more candid approach is more suitable than professional filming or photographing
- Photos or videos that serve a single purpose and will not or cannot be used broadly
Tips & Best Practices
If the Office of Marketing and Communications is not able to support your photo or video needs, you should first contact your assigned marketing professional. In some cases, they may be able to take photos, shoot video, or connect you with freelancers.
If you plan to take your own photos or shoot video, here are some general tips and best practices:
- Headshots and group shots are most easily done outside in the shade, rather than indoors or in direct sun.
- Use a tripod or, if that is not possible, hold the camera very steady. Camera-shake is the primary reason for blurry photos.
- Crop the photos tightly. If you want to show a person's face, do not include a huge blank wall behind your subject.
- Shoot at an angle to walls, rather than straight on.
- Always shoot at the highest/largest resolution; check the settings on your camera or smartphone before taking photos or shooting video.
Other Helpful Resources
On-Campus Filming / Photography by Outside Groups
Idaho State is a public university that has many beautiful settings, backdrops, and buildings. Our campuses are open to everyone, and we pride ourselves in having a welcoming culture. However, to minimize disruptions, we ask outside individuals, groups, businesses, and media organizations to adhere to our guidelines.
Prohibited Areas
Some areas of Idaho State’s campuses are prohibited from photography or videography by outside groups without prior arrangements with the Office of Marketing and Communications. These areas include: health clinics, counseling centers, residential halls and housing facilities, financial aid offices, information technology spaces, and athletic training and conditioning areas.
Use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Flights
The use of UAS, more commonly referred to as Drones, on our campuses has specific policy requirements. For more information, please visit the policy website
Students, Faculty, and Staff
You are welcome to photograph members of the campus community who have explicitly given you permission. Unless otherwise noted by event organizers, University events open to the public that do not require tickets or reservations are approved for taking photos or shooting video. However, any individuals who are identifiable in the footage need to provide their approval.
News Media
Working members of the media are welcome to visit and tour our campuses to shoot video or take photos. To best support the media’s goals and needs, we request that the media contact the Office of Marketing and Communications prior to arriving on campus. This will allow the University to provide parking and access to campus facilities and spaces.
Commercial Photography or Filming Requests
Location agreements and other filming requests are approved by the Office of Marketing and Communications. Production companies and location scouts need a signed agreement on file with 天美传媒 prior to filming. A templated agreement is available to assist and expedite the request process.
Keep Our Campuses Clean
Please be courteous to our landscapers and facilities crews by leaving campus how you found it. Before you leave, please clean up and dispose of any debris or garbage.
Filming on campus is permitted only if it does not interfere with normal University business or scheduled events. Filming will be approved after the following requirements have been met and written approval has been provided by the Office of Marketing and Communications.
Application Process
- Submit a completed Location and Filming Agreement no later than two weeks before the requested production date to ensure all necessary approvals are obtained. The department approvals required for the project are dependent on the requested location and the timeframe of the project. Any requests for athletic facilities must also be approved by the Department of Athletics.
- Production cannot begin until the requestor receives the Location and Filming Agreement signed by an 天美传媒 representative, indicating that approval for the project has been granted.
- The location and filming permitting fee must be submitted before production begins.
- A Facilities Use Agreement and appropriate space use fees may be required to film or photograph on campus locations. Facilities shall be used in accordance with all federal, state and local laws and university policies.
- Proof of required insurance may be requested.
- When applicable for use of UAS, information about the device, aviation insurance COI, pilot's FAA Part 107 certificate and a flight plan should be included with the Location and Filming Agreement submission.
Guidelines
- 天美传媒 reserves the right to limit or refuse locations for film and photography.
- 天美传媒 reserves the right to limit or deny permission to film or photograph university logos, identifying marks or iconic locations. Additionally, external groups are not permitted to wear apparel with 天美传媒 marks.
- Exceptions to the Location and Filming Agreement procedures are:
- 天美传媒 students who are creating materials for 天美传媒 courses.
- University employees producing materials for university business purposes.
- News outlets, in coordination with the Office of Marketing and Communications.
- Video or photography that will be used for political purposes, such as a candidate creating a campaign video, must be approved prior to production. 天美传媒 reserves the right to limit locations for such projects.
- Completed products must not directly or indirectly indicate that 天美传媒 endorses a company, product, service or opinion. 天美传媒 may request that a disclaimer be visibly included in final products stating: “The content of this [video or publication] is not endorsed by 天美传媒.”
- For assistance with the location and filming processes, please contact Miriam Dance.
Fee schedule:
- Commercial business: $500/day
- Non-profit organizations: $250/day
- Government agencies: Coordinated with the Office of Marketing and Communications.
- Production for TV or movies: $1,000/day