Our photographic style centres around people. It is candid and captures real moments.
Photography themes
Academic and learning
Unique relationships: photography should feel like an authentic and positive moment of interaction between academics, students, and researchers.
Learning journeys: images should feel like a snapshot of an inspired moment in a student or staff member's learning journey.
Research focus
Real world impact: images should show how our research has wide reaching effects on the world. They should tell the story of innovation, positive change, and ground-breaking impact.
People behind the discoveries: photography should feel like a genuine relaxed moment that offers a snapshot of the researchers behind the innovation and progress.
Cambridge life
Capture everyday University life that is genuine and authentic.
Images should represent the inquisitive nature of our students and staff.
How to photograph people
Focus
It is important that our photography:
- feels connected to the students and staff
- is up close and personal with space around subjects
- is cropped to emphasise impact and innovation
- captures real moments
- shows life in and around our buildings in a contemporary way
Environment
People should be photographed:
- in an authentic University scene
- working on or featuring their work and research in action
- in their actual working environments, capturing them in the zone
Expression
Subjects should show:
- real expressions
- authentic poses, showing them in a comfortable and confident way
- them in real life interactions with students and staff
Relaxed subjects
- Chat to your subject to help them feel at ease.
- Research the best methods to reassure people being photographed.
Diversity
- Make sure we are representing the full spectrum of people. There should be an appropriate mix of age, gender, and race.
Portraits
Portraits should be relaxed, not staged, and represent the subject.
Try to avoid:
- intense or focused poses
- overly staged or studio shot imagery
- using stylised lighting
- monochrome
Using different techniques
Colour
Use:
- natural lighting and colours
- warmer tones of the classic Cambridge stonework and architecture
Perspective
- Create interesting angle to represent the subject.
Lighting
- Use natural light.
- Create an authentic and sincere portrayal.
- Avoid overpowering glares and obvious unnatural colour grading.
Composition and depth of field
- Balance a composition you can split the scene and make sure there is a clear focal point of the image.
- Use depth of field to help with the hierarchy of a composition.
- Make sure a balanced depth of field is used.
Cut-outs
- A cut-out is when you cut out part of a feature or person in an image. If used, it must always be used on one of our textured assets.
What to avoid
Effects and filters
- Effects and styling should be avoided.
Clichés and metaphors
- Avoid staged scenes and attempts to convey concepts in common ways.
Artificial intelligence (AI)
We do not use any photography created by AI tools like Midjourney or DALL-E. It is important that our audiences see accurate and authentic images of Cambridge, not fake ones.
Read our full set of AI guidelines
The University photo library
We have hundreds of photos which our staff are free to use for digital and print projects on behalf of the University:
Members of the public can also access our photos (to view and share) via:
Taking and commissioning your own photography for University projects
Institutions within the University are welcome to commission or take their own photography for use in their own projects providing the necessary permissions are obtained:
Further support
If you have any questions about using or taking photography in the University (for University projects) please get in touch with brand@admin.cam.ac.uk