Faculty Photoshoots to Power Higher Ed Visual Content Marketing Strategy

The third in a three-part series on how to bring a higher ed institution’s story to life by capturing its people — undergraduate students, graduate students and faculty — in timeless photographs.

Faculty and professors are at the heart of a college brand. Elliance conducts photoshoots to reflect the essence of the brand using a variety of photoshoot genres.

Ideas for Photographs Worth Capturing

1. Environmental portraits: showing them in their “natural habitat” (lab, library, office, clinic, studio), signaling expertise and authenticity.
2. Teaching in action: showcasing professors leading a discussion, teaching in a seminar, lecturing, or mentoring students to capture the hear of the academic mission.
3. Research & scholarship: featuring faculty in labs, archives, fieldwork sites, or with equipment to emphasize innovation, discovery, and grant-funded work.
4. Community & collaboration: spotlighting faculty working with students, peers, or external partners to underscore mentorship and interdisciplinary teamwork.
5. Leadership & public engagement: showing faculty speaking at a conference, giving a keynote, media interview, or community event to position them as thought leaders and public intellectuals.
6. Creative / Editorial photography: Stylized shots for alumni magazines or marketing campaigns positioning them as innovators, changemakers, or icons of the institution.

Here is a sampling of photographs we have taken:

Environmental Photo Samples

The environmental portrait is just as it says — a photo that represents the subject in their natural environment. Whether it is in their work location, personal home, or a location that is representative of the narrative, the choice to shoot an environmental portrait over a formal portrait shot in a studio adds another layer of credibility and truth to their story. Also, the familiar space is more comfortable for the subject.

Editorial/Profile Photo Samples

These are styled, magazine-like images (creative lighting, more personality) commonly used in alumni magazines or news features about faculty research.

Teaching in Action Photo Samples

A true higher education brand is not built on buildings or rankings, but on the power of teaching that endures. With photography, we honor teaching as the quiet drama at the center of every university’s story of impact and purpose.

Tips & Guidelines for Capturing High-Impact Faculty Photos

1. Understand the faces behind the story.
2. Plan the photoshoot and then some more.
3. Rely on the content to provide the location for the shoot.
4. Know your subject.
5. Visit the site prior to the shoot.
6. Be nimble and have alternate plans.
7. Hire a qualified seasoned photographer.

We recommend faculty photoshoots to every client. We urge them to give photoshoots time, budget and respect. We advise them to cultivate the habit of completing a few iconic photoshoots every year. After all, colleges and universities, like retailers, are in the business of image and perception management.

Learn more about our  higher education marketing services.and consider partnering with us for your next photoshoot.