Photography Request

Overview

The USD Marketing Communications & University Relations Department staffs a full-time photographer, photography interns and works with a small team of freelance photographers. Our team is dedicated to capturing photos that achieve the strategic goals of the university.

WHAT WE COVER 

  • Event Coverage:  
  • Grand openings or ribbon cuttings across campus  
  • Annual or high-level institutional events, such as the State of the University address, graduation, Unite for USD, Dakota Days (main events) 
  • Composites and Headshots  
  • Headshots for all faculty and staff  
  • Official university class composites (Individual student headshots not included)  
  • Editorial Content for Web and Print Publications 
  • People/department/facility feature shoots that have confirmed editorial plans 
  • Often staged environmental shoots of the individual(s) working in their natural setting  
  • Environmental/facility shoots for high-quality imagery  
  •  News/media content needs  
  • High-level institutional announcements that require high-quality imagery  

 

WHAT WE DON’T COVER 

Due to limited bandwidth within our full-time photography team, there are a variety of situations we are typically unable to support with our lead photographer. However, you are welcome to make the request, and we will make our best effort to staff it with a photography intern or suggest a contracted freelance photographer.  

  • Event Coverage:  
    • Student or departmental events that would not be considered an annual or high-level institutional event. 
      • Ex: Departmental dinners, awards, etc. 
  • Student headshots  
  • Group photos intended for social media use 
  • Guest lecturer or speaker photos 

 

Benefits
  • By submitting a request form, our team can quickly review your request and respond with questions, confirmations or recommendations for alternative solutions.
  • Working with our team ensures you receive high-quality photos of your area, event or feature. 
  • Our photographers provide gallery access to all images that are captured as part of the photography request. 
  • In addition, photos can be used on the USD website, advertisements, brochures, social media, publications and other platforms.
Target Completion Date
  • Please allow our team 2-3 business days to respond to your photo shoot request.
  • Due to our schedules, we highly encourage requests be made at least 10 business days before the proposed shoot date.
  • Final delivery of photos typically requires 5-10 business days, however specific deadlines will be set based on the overall scope of the shoot (how long it will take to edit the amount of content) and deadlines associated with the overall project (such as editorial, print or PR deadlines). 
Available To

Faculty and Staff. Official student organizations may also access USD’s photography services.

Cost
  • Photography requests that meet the strategic mission of the University and can be fulfilled by USD’s photography team will be provided at no cost.
  • If external photographers are recommended, they will provide an hourly rate based on the scope of the request.