Skip to main content
Michigan State UniversityCommunications and Brand Strategy

Photography and Videography

MSU Branding Toolkit

University Communicators Network

Photography Policies and Guidelines

Photo overview

All photos taken by Communications and Brand Strategy (CABS) are the property of Michigan State University. Copyrights are held by the MSU Board of Trustees. Photos taken by CABS may be used for promotion of MSU and its units. Fees charged for custom photography and prints offset the costs of equipment and labor. The CABS photographic staff consults with campus units about the concept and design of photo shoots to ensure client needs are met.

Original photo shoots (location or studio)

After a shoot, the client will receive a link to CABS’s online photo library containing high-resolution jpegs. Photos are for unlimited use by the original client in official MSU communications only. All photos are filed in CABS’s database for use in communications executed by Communications and Brand Strategy. In addition, selected photos may be included in CABS’s published galleries, where they may be used by other units subject to use restrictions established jointly by CABS and the original client.

Pricing: Estimates are provided for original photo shoots.

Photos needed for news purposes are taken routinely by CABS. Photos taken specifically for news purposes are available at no cost to the cooperating unit and may be reused in official MSU communications materials.

Studio portraits

Studio portraits needed for news purposes are taken free of charge and may be reused in official MSU communications materials at no cost. Studio portraits of the president, provost, associate or vice provosts, vice presidents, or deans are taken at no cost and are available free of charge to all university units.

Pricing: Estimates will be provided for all other studio portraits.

Passport photos

Passport photos for faculty, staff, and students are taken in studio.

Pricing:

  • $15/set of two
  • $8/additional set
  • $30/specialty passports

Group or location passport sessions can be arranged. Estimates will be provided.

MSU images

Digital images of MSU photos taken by our professional photographers are provided free of charge to MSU communicators and other staff and faculty members responsible for marketing and communications for their university units. The gallery can be found at photos.msu.edu. If you have not received the coupon code needed for image orders, please e-mail contact@cabs.msu.edu and provide your name, title, unit name, and e-mail address.

Commercial entities must contact CABS for permission to use MSU images.

NOTE: A complimentary online photo gallery for all visitors is available at photos.msu.edu.

Prints

All images in the CABS photo galleries can be printed and mounted to meet the needs of your office. If you are looking at adding imagery to your office or conference room spaces, CABS staff is happy to provide on-site consulting.

To purchase photo prints, go to photos.msu.edu.

Mounted prints can be ordered by calling (517) 432-0967.

View photography price list for prices. Quantity discounts are available for unmounted prints.