Photography plays a key role in showcasing ACC’s diverse campuses and community. When taking photos, it’s important to respect individuals, avoid disrupting classes, and ensure that images accurately reflect the college experience while maintaining the trust of those being photographed.
Guidelines for Maintaining Brand Standards in Photos
| DO | DO NOT |
|---|---|
| Take people-centric photos | Take empty facilities photos |
| Photograph from a variety of angles | Take one-type of photo from a single vantage point |
| Include ACC branding elements like logos and brand colors in your images, when possible | Use stock photography that show identifiable people |
| Ask for permission before taking photos | Take photos without permission or consent |
| Secure and retain photo consent forms | Use images sourced from the internet or AI-generated imagery (see below) |
| Share ACC images with external sources without prior review and approval from OCRM | |
| Use images of ACC students/faculty/staff in ways that misrepresent them |
Compelling Moments
Our images should focus on people, capturing human interaction and genuine emotion to engage viewers. Photographers should prioritize these storytelling moments.
Visual Variety
Successful storytelling requires visual variety. Use various angles and distances, and experiment with creative compositions such as high or low angles. When possible, include ACC branding elements like logos and brand colors in your images.
Consent
Before taking photos, you must obtain written permission and ensure proper consent is given, especially for minors or individuals unable to provide legal consent. Any usage restrictions specified on the consent form must be respected and communicated when images are shared or stored for others at ACC.
There are two types of consent forms:
- PDF forms for download: ACC Photo/Video Release Form (English) or ACC Photo/Video Release Form (Spanish)
- Electronic consent form: austincc.edu/photoconsent. The form provides an email copy to the submitter and OCRM. If the photographer is not part of OCRM, they should request the subject to forward the email and retain it. Laminated cards with QR codes linking to the electronic consent page can be requested from OCRM.
For events with large groups where collecting individual consent forms is impractical, visible Notice of Filming and Photography signs should inform attendees that the event is being photographed or recorded.
Responsible Use
Avoid unintended associations between images and text, especially when dealing with delicate topics or negative connotations. In such cases, consider using graphic design solutions instead of photographs.
Stock Photography or AI-Generated Images
To convey a truthful story of ACC, we avoid using generic stock photography from external providers, especially images that show identifiable people. In cases when an illustration or conceptual image is needed, stock photography can be considered but as long as it does not include identifiable individuals.
Never use AI-generated imagery or audio to depict ACC students, faculty, or staff. AI-generated imagery is subject to the same usage guidelines as stock imagery. Read about ACC’s AI Integration Guidelines.
Copyrights and Permissions
Do not source images from the internet via “save image as” or screenshots for use on any ACC platforms, as this could result in copyright infringement. Similarly, images generated by ACC employees as part of their job duties are the College’s property (©Austin Community College District. All rights reserved) and should not be shared with external entities without prior review and approval from OCRM.
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