Photo Resources
Photo Galleries
Contact the university photographer, Tom Story, for high resolution images
Photo Database
ASU Digital Asset Management: Contact Graphic Information Solutions to set up an account.
The following photographers and photographic services are available to university units:
- The univeristy photographer is Tom Story. His photo studio is located in the Centerpoint complex at 660 S Mill, suite 416, in Tempe. The university photographer is responsible for covering university-level events, such as Homecoming and commencement. He also shoots portraits of ASU faculty and staff members during regular studio hours.
- The Graphic Information Technology Photography Studio is a complete, working professional photographic studio, staffed by students under the direction of ASU faculty.
- There are a number of stock photography companies that have online sites. In all cases, departments must have permission to use all images, photographs or clip art in publications and web sites. There are a number of excellent freelance photographers in the Phoenix area. (Please see "Guidelines for Hiring Freelance Photographers" below.)
When possible, store the information about a photo as part of the file information for later use (subject, event, photographer, date, etc.)
Model releases
All photographers taking photographs on university property or of university events must obtain a signed model release from any student, faculty member, staff person, or member of the public who is visibly recognizable in the photograph. Model releases should remain on file as long as the photographs remain in use.
Crowd scenes that do not include children under the age of 18, where no single person is the dominant feature, do not require model releases. All photographs of children under the age of 18 require release forms signed by parents or guardians. These rules are not in effect when photographs are taken of news events, but photographs taken for news purposes require a release for reuse in marketing materials.
The campuses of Arizona State University are public property, and anyone can take exterior photos of the buildings and grounds for personal, non-commercial use. (Some restrictions may apply; see below.) The university photographer can provide professional photographs of most ASU facilities/landmarks, and departments should utilize these photos whenever it is practical. (See the Photo Gallery and Photo Database.)
These rules govern photographs intended for use in any university publication of marketing or a public relations nature, such as printed and electronic newsletters, web pages, brochures, viewbooks, promotional items or other material.
Download model release form, English (PDF)
Download model release form, Spanish (PDF)
This model release form has been approved by the Arizona State University's Office of General Counsel.
Photo releases
Departments should obtain a photo release for all photographs that have not been taken by a university employee. Photo releases should remain on file as long as the photographs remain in use.
Permission is granted to ASU departments to use photographs taken by ASU's university photographer; photo releases are not required for these photos. Model releases are collected for all photos taken by the university photographer.
The campuses of Arizona State University are public property, and anyone can take exterior photos of the buildings and grounds for personal, non-commercial use. Three buildings on ASU's Tempe campus are trademarked: Grady Gammage Memorial Auditorium, Old Main and Sun Devil Stadium. Note that even when images are used for a non-commercial purpose, Arizona State University reserves the right to revoke permission if the images are used in a way that, in the opinion of the university, is in poor taste or would reflect badly on ASU.
Download photo release form (PDF)
This photo release form has been approved by the Arizona State University's Office of General Counsel.
Guidelines for Hiring Freelance Photographers
Contracts with freelance photographers must always stipulate that the Arizona Board of Regents owns the copyright for all resulting images. If a photographer will not give full copyright ownership to ABOR, that individual may not do work for the university.
Departments may use the personal services agreement available on the Contracts section of the Office of General Counsel website.
If another agreement is used, the following language should be included (this language is already included in the personal services agreement):
Copyright
Contractor's work under this agreement is "work for hire" for purposes of the copyright laws of the United States and any foreign countries, and title to any subject copyright will vest with the University.
- If for any reason the Work would not be considered a work made for hire under applicable law, by signing below Contractor sells, assigns, and transfers to University all rights and title to the copyright in the Work, related registrations and copyright applications, and any related renewals and extensions. This grant of rights and assignment extends to all works based upon, derived from, or incorporating the Work, to all income, royalties, damages, claims and payments payable now or later, to all causes of action, either in law or in equity for past, present, or future infringement based on the copyrights, and to all corresponding rights throughout the world.
- If the Work is one to which the provisions of 17 U.S.C. 106A apply, by signing below the Author waives and appoints University to assert on the Contractor's behalf the Contractor's moral rights or any equivalent rights regarding the form or extent of any alteration to the Work (including removal or destruction) or the making of any derivative works based on the Work, including photographs, drawings or other visual reproductions or the Work, in any medium, for university purposes.
- Contractor agrees to execute all papers and to perform other proper acts as University may deem necessary to secure these rights for University or its designee.