The Office of Communications works with a number of local photographers to obtain pictorial coverage of campus events and acquire photography for use in the university's publications. There is no staff photographer in the office; all photography is contracted out.
The Communications photography budget is limited and designated for the coverage of major campus events, such as university convocations and commencement, and to support the ongoing, major publications of the university such as Lawrence Today and the university course catalog.
Photography for other campus publications or coverage of other campus activities, as requested by individual offices and departments, is billed to the requesting department. If it is necesssary to have specific photographs taken for a publication or of an event, Communications staff can work with you to schedule a photographer.
Photography rates vary in accordance with the level of quality required, the difficulty of the shoot, and the time involved. A half-day shoot for a publication cover, for example, may cost upwards of $1,000 (and even more), particularly if the shoot is inside and lighting and backdrops are required. A one- to two-hour shoot of an event may be in the range of $165 to $200.
Communications maintains an archive of slides, transparencies, and black-and-white and color photographs, and clients are welcome to look through the photo files and request duplicates of the images available for use in their publication or for other needs. Costs of producing duplicates will be billed to the requesting department.
When considering photography for publications or to record a departmental or program event, consult Communications as to pricing and photographer availability. Planning is important and it is advisable to give at least three weeks notice to reserve a photographer on the date and at the time you request.
In scheduling a photo shoot, Communications will need to know the budget parameters the client is working with and the account number to be billed; the subject matter (number of people, the need for props, etc.); the time, date, and location of the shoot (allowing sufficient time for set-up); a rainsite; and how the photos will ultimately be used, to determine the type of film and whether prints, transparencies, or digital images will be most appropriate.
To arrange for a photographer or a convenient time to use the photo archive, contact Debbie Gibbons at extension 6586.