Photography and video

When images capture authentic, unposed moments, they become the emotional heartbeat of our University’s story. In support of university strategy Marketing and Communications offers these services:

• Event coverage: Full photography and video production for campus events and editorial stories.
• Portraits: Professional environmental, group and formal portraiture.
• Branded campus imagery, editorial video story creation and production.
• Image asset metadata post-production for best practice keyword web optimization, searchability and retrieval within the University Media Archive and long-term preservation with university archives.

If our internal SMU team is unavailable, we will gladly help you coordinate with University-approved freelance resources for photography and video services.

Fees

Fees are based on project request scope and complexity.

• Event and general campus photography: Typically, $250–$350 per hour (two‑hour minimum plus post‑production at $50 per hour).
• Portraits: Per estimate based on style and number of subjects.
• Video: Per estimate based on project scope.

To request photo and video services or a cost estimate, please contact SMU Marketing and Communications via the Asana form

Delivery timelines

Final assets are typically delivered within two to four weeks depending on project scope and complexity. If you have an urgent deadline and need images or footage sooner, please specify this in your online request

SMU Marketing and Communications maintains a branded photo collection, Media Archive, that is continually updated to reflect the full range of faculty, students, academic and campus life at SMU. Users can search for photos using keywords, download images, store collections for easy reference and share images with University colleagues.

Access to Media Archive is currently limited to official University marketing of schools and units, with limited license permission granted by SMU Marketing and Communications. For smaller, one-time projects with specific image needs, access may be granted to a Box of assets.

Policies and usage guidelines
Southern Methodist University holds exclusive rights to all image assets in the Media Archive branded collection. Unauthorized use of SMU photos and videos is strictly prohibited. No user, regardless of affiliation with the institution, may use University imagery to suggest or imply endorsement of any business, personal viewpoint, political opinion or movement.

Use is permitted for:

• Official University communications
• Personal use that does not imply endorsement
  
  

Use is not permitted for:

• Commercial activity
• Political or personal advocacy
• Any content implying University endorsement without approval

More usage guidelines

Using images responsibly
Incorporating visuals into an SMU website can enhance content but it is important to do so in a legal and ethical manner to prevent copyright infringement. Review the suggested guidelines below to ensure responsible image usage.

Do this:

• Do use SMU photography and video assets owned by the institution. SMU Marketing and Communications maintains a branded photo and video collection, Media Archive, that is continually updated to reflect the full range of faculty, students, academic and campus life at SMU.
• If new image creation is needed, SMU Marketing and Communications will provide connections to verified photographers and videographers.
• Do link to third party web sites that contain copyrighted work.
• Do request graphic design assistance. SMU can help with project requests.

Don’t do this:

• Don’t use unverified images. Do not copy or use images from Google or other search engines.
• Don’t use stock images. Stock photography is discouraged. Licensing attributions, such as Creative Commons, may not always be correct or may have specific terms attached. Do not use these images unless license and terms are confirmed. Please contact SMU Marketing and Communications before purchasing stock.
• Don’t use screenshots of another web page.

If in doubt: Don’t use the image.

Need Help? Resources and contacts can be found below.

• SMU Brand Center
• Brand Integrity and Copyright Content
• SMU's policies on intellectual property and copyright

For all requests regarding graphic design, please contact SMU Marketing and Communications by emailing brand@smu.edu

For all requests regarding photo and video assets and services, please contact SMU Marketing and Communications via the Asana form

Photography and video help illustrate and define the SMU brand personality as smart, authentic and inclusive. Our visual presentation of students, faculty and alumni engage and surprise our audiences while welcoming and connecting them to the University.

Photography style
Our photographs communicate our brand personality through a candid, approachable style. The less things are posed, the better. Placing subjects in vibrant campus settings adds context to our stories and shows viewers that SMU is where exciting things happen. Off-campus imagery showcases not just our subjects but also enriches our stories and reinforces our strong ties to our community beyond the Hilltop.

Varying the focal point, angles and cropping makes an image more dynamic and appealing. How the photo will be used with other visual elements is also considered. Sometimes images are composed with a lot of open space around the subject for use with text and graphic elements.

The energy of our brand is also relayed through rich and dramatic colors. Unassuming logo placements along with the modest use of traditional red and blue promotes SMU branding in an unpretentious way.

Video style
As in our photos, our video stories capture the authentic, outgoing voice of the SMU brand and present the University as welcoming to all. Our videos show the importance of the work being done by students, faculty and other members of the SMU community in creative and inspiring ways. While our visual treatment varies to capture the spirit and purpose of each video subject, our voice is always inclusive and engaging.

Our cinematic approach combines varying perspectives, unexpected camera angles and purposeful movement. Upbeat editing and music set a tempo that fits the optimistic and innovative SMU personality. Video production colors are rich and dynamic. Motion graphics, titles and captions are used to support key messages with direct, authentic language, humor or engaging facts. All these elements come together in compelling videos that embody the SMU brand.

SMU’s welcoming spirit shines through by striving to provide accessible video communications. We practice the guidelines below to ensure that people with such disabilities as hearing loss and visual impairment don’t miss out on the opportunity to engage with the University’s video materials, including webinars.

These practices include:

• Hosting/publishing all SMU video assets on an accessible video player, including YouTube, Vimeo and Canvas. Remember: SMU Box is not an accessible video player.
• Making sure all video assets include closed captioning. Many video players create automatic captions, and there are a variety of closed-captioning services and apps available. Ideally, all closed captioning should be proofed for accuracy.
• Creating and publishing a complete transcript and an audio description for blind users with each video.

Additional resources:

• Checklist for creating accessibility videos
• Create accessible video, audio and social media
• Making audio and video media accessible
• Zoom closed captioning and live transcription
• Easily create and edit closed captions with Panopto

Thank you for your interest in using the SMU campus as a location for your upcoming production. We are proud of the beauty of our award-winning campus; our buildings and scenic interior and exterior locations provide an exceptional background for any production.

Requests made by outside production companies, photographers, filmmakers and others for all filming and photography activities on the campus of SMU are arranged and coordinated through SMU Marketing and Communications. This includes campus grounds, buildings (exterior and interior), aerials, portraits and events.

Requests for use of campus as a photo or video location requires contacting SMU Marketing and Communications four to eight weeks in advance to secure content approval and  insurance and to put a location agreement into place. Final layout, script or storyboard may be required and approval must be granted before signing the contract letter agreement. All filming and photography of sports-related events on campus must comply with NCAA rules.

All filming and photography of the University and its facilities by outside vendors, including those wishing to represent any work they have done in partnership with the University, are subject to approval by SMU Marketing and Communications before they may be used. Completed film and photos may not be sold to other parties. All films and photos are subject to copyright terms set by the University. Permission is granted for specific one-time use and is not transferable for further use – print or electronic – without approval by SMU Marketing and Communications.

Location fees
Location fees include oversight by SMU Marketing and Communications to manage campus location use, facility needs and location agreement execution. When campus is requested for use as a location (i.e., athletic facilities, academic, staff and student facilities, all exterior lawns, walkways and fountains), additional facility rental and use surcharges will be required in addition to the location fee. Charges are determined by the scope of the specific location request. Availability of all facilities is subject to the needs of the University and often require 14–30 business days to secure permission from organizations and departments that use them. Fees may be paid by check payable to Southern Methodist University and mailed to:
SMU Marketing and Communications 
Attn: Photo and Video
PO Box 750174
Dallas, TX 75275-0174

Visual concept, script or storyboard approval
A creative concept, script or storyboard and how it dovetails with campus as a location is required for consideration to photograph or film at SMU. Concept approval must be granted before a location agreement is put into place.

Sports events
All photography and filming of sports-related events on campus must comply with NCAA rules and with advance approval by SMU Athletics.

Insurance requirements
The client company or photo/video production company is responsible for furnishing a copy of an original certificate of insurance, with minimum requirements, to SMU Marketing and Communications at least one week in advance of the photo or filming commencing. SMU must be named as an additional insured and as a certificate holder of the policy. SMU Marketing and Communications must receive your proof of insurance at least seven days before your shoot. Below are the minimum insurance requirements:

Line of Coverage	Coverage Description	Minimum Limits
General Liability	Premises Liability Personal Injury Products Liability Medical Payments General Aggregate	$1M per occurrence $1M per occurrence $1M per occurrence $10,000 $2M
Automobile Liability	Combined Single Limit	$1M
Workers’ Compensation	Injury/Illness Employer Liability	Statutory $1M
Professional Liability	Errors and Omissions	$1M per claim/occurrence

 

Additional Insured: The trustees, officers, employees, students, volunteers and agents of Southern Methodist University.

Certificate Holder: Southern Methodist University, Office of Risk Management, PO Box 750231, Dallas TX  75275-0231, riskmanagement@smu.edu

A valid Certificate of Insurance, along with copies of policy provisions and the required endorsements, must be provided to SMU’s Office of Risk Management by any person or entity who is (i) providing goods or services to or for SMU, (ii) using SMU property for events, programs or other purposes, or (iii) otherwise doing business with SMU (each a “Contractor”). Insurance must be in place before the commencement of, or provision of, goods or services, or the use of property, or other business engagement. It must be maintained throughout the term of the contract or other agreement or engagement between SMU and the Contractor (the “Contract”), and thereafter. Contractor, at its sole cost and expense, including payment of any premiums, deductibles, and/or self-insured retentions, will provide the insurance required to insure all the Contractor’s duties and responsibilities under the Contract, as required below:

1. These requirements apply to Contractor and to Contractor’s sub-subcontractors, consultants, suppliers, and others fulfilling Contractor’s obligations under the Contract, whether individuals or entities, and including international providers (collectively, “Subcontractors”). The Contractor must require all Subcontractors to comply with the insurance requirements applicable to the Contractor.
2. The Contractor must be licensed or otherwise authorized to do business in the state of Texas.
3. Insurance must be issued by companies with not less than an AM Best A-III rating.
4. Contractor and its insurers must waive subrogation against SMU, its trustees, officers, employees, students, volunteers, and agents for claims or any other loss arising out of Contractor’s negligence, willful misconduct, or omission.
5. Contractor will maintain all insurance required by this Exhibit A throughout the term of the Contract. For any “claims-made: coverage, such as insurance for any professional liability or directors and officers coverage, each policy must have a retroactive date before the date of project of Contract commencement which must be stated on the certificate of insurance and must be maintained by the Contractor until completion of the project and for at least three years thereafter either through policies in force or through “tail coverage.”
6. Contractor agrees to allow SMU to review all applicable insurance policies upon request.
7. Contractor is responsible for maintaining its own insurance coverage on its personal property.
8. Contractor and its insurer will provide at least 30 days’ prior written notice to SMU of cancellation, changes in coverage that no longer satisfy these requirements, or nonrenewal of any policy.

Outside vendors request