Photo and Video
Photography
Photography is a powerful tool for elevating Notre Dame’s brand and mission.
University photographers in the Office of Public Affairs and Communications (OPAC) make images to be used in storytelling efforts relating to the University’s strategic framework themes and messaging priorities.
Schedule permitting, OPAC photographers can partner on additional projects that inform major communications needs and priorities of colleges, institutes, and departments outside of OPAC.
We prioritize photography projects in this order:
- Major Brand Content stories such as the What Would You Fight For? series
- Executive office requests
- Unassigned photos of student and University life, campus environment, Catholic mission, and other subject matter relevant to the strategic framework
- Historic events such as Commencement, Notre Dame Forum, Walk the Walk Week, or other major speakers and awards
- OPAC needs (NDWorks, Notre Dame Magazine, Community Relations)
- Partnering with colleges, institutes, and departments on projects that directly illustrate and inform strategic framework and University goals
- Faculty and staff studio headshots
Outside photography services should be used for the following:
- Campus on-location faculty and staff headshots
- Student headshots
- Most event and conference photography
These photographers have been vetted by the University photographers. They are trained in the University's standards and protocols and have signed a contract acknowledging that all photographs taken are owned and copyrighted by the University. You will need to contact the freelancer directly to learn availability and rates.
The department or group contracting an outside vendor is responsible for scheduling and payment using standard Notre Dame vendor payment methods.
Faculty/Staff Studio Headshots
Faculty and staff can get a free studio headshot every 24 months in our studio in the basement of Grace Hall.
Schedule your 10-minute studio headshot appointment using the link below.
We use a standard neutral backdrop for consistency. If you wish to do headshots outdoors, on location, or using a custom background, you’ll need to hire a freelance photographer.
Photos.nd.edu Download Account Request
For all faculty and staff, we offer free high-resolution downloads of our stock photography from photos.nd.edu. These downloads are meant for Notre Dame projects only and not for personal use.
To download images, sign up for an account at the link below. Once your request is approved, we’ll let you know your account has been activated.
Photo Manipulation Guidelines
Photos are edited and optimized for their intended use, but they maintain the integrity of the moment captured. Images downloaded from photos.nd.edu can be cropped as necessary and adjusted as needed for brightness or contrast, but we ask for no substantial alterations such as reversing a photo’s orientation (“flipping”) or adding/removing people or other significant image content. Please contact us with any questions on this.
Outtakes Policy
We are not able to provide unedited outtakes from photo sessions. The photos made by Brand Content photographers are the property of the University of Notre Dame and are curated with the best technical quality and interest of the University in mind.
Video
Video is a compelling and versatile medium that is used for a variety of storytelling applications.
Videographers in the Office of Public Affairs and Communications’ Brand Content team are devoted full-time to collaborative work that aligns with the University’s strategic framework themes and messaging priorities. They are not available on a for-hire basis to undertake additional projects; this work should be handled by outside service providers.
In general, outside videography services should be secured for the following projects:
- Instructional/how-to videos
- Teleprompter stand-ups
- Television commercials
- Editing video shot by a third party
For event/conference coverage and b-roll capture, contact ND Studios.
Multiple videography service providers are familiar with University standards and protocols. You will need to contact the provider directly to learn availability and rates. The department or group contracting a provider is responsible for arranging payment directly to the provider using standard Notre Dame vendor payment methods.