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California State University, Chico

Photography

Photos are the main way our brand is visually expressed in marketing—from booklets to our website to social media. Our campus, community, and events are diligently captured by award-winning photographers. You may request access to search the photo library for the perfect shot or to have new photos taken. You may also access a selection of photos available for non-commercial public use on Chico State’s Flickr account.

General Principles

When using our campus photos in marketing or educational materials, please keep these principles in mind:

  • All photos should feature engaged individuals and/or dynamic movement.
  • Subjects should rarely look directly at the camera.
  • When possible, leave negative space for type and graphic overlay.
  • Do not use stock photography.
  • Do not mirror (flip) photos or substantially alter in any way.
  • Do not alter images beyond basic retouching and never use generative AI to significantly transform photos (adding or subtracting people or items, creating new versions of logos or Willie the Wildcat, etc.)
  • Horseshoe Lake on Monkey Face at Upper Bidwell Park

    Wide

    Wide photography should feature landscapes and interior spaces unique to the Chico State experience, always with an engaged individual or group interacting with their surroundings.

  • Breanna Fernandez looks as vials with Aquatic Bioassessment samples

    Detail

    As with wide photography, all detail photography should feature human engagement. Capture active poses with dynamic movement.

  • Vanessa Esquivido

    Subjects

    Subject photography can be captured in individual or group formats, always actively engaged in their environment, or with one another, and rarely looking directly at the camera.

Cropping and Composition

Student watering plants in a greenhouse, positioned along the rule of thirds.

The "Rule of Thirds"

The basic principle is to imagine the photo broken into thirds, both horizontally and vertically. Placing points of interest along the lines or at their intersections will help a photo become more balanced and will compel a viewer to interact with it more naturally.

Banner image with “Experiential Learning” text on the left and a student using a camera on the right, illustrating hands-on learning.

Text Overlay

When layering content over a hero image, take care to place it in an area of the photo free from distracting activity. Look for photos with (relatively) clear space for text.

Photo Policy

Photographs on the Chico State website and social media sites and those otherwise provided by University Communications are copyrighted by California State University, Chico.

  • Chico State photos are for uses related to Chico State only and not to be used for commercial reproduction. Photographs may not be used in any way other than in their intended context and for the promotion of Chico State.
  • Images may not be altered or manipulated in any way, except for standard technical adjustments and cropping.
  • Photos owned by Chico State cannot be used without express written permission from the University Photographer.
  • Photographs that are copyrighted by the University and published in off-campus media or public relations pieces must include a credit. Acceptable credit can be “Photo courtesy of California State University, Chico” or “Photo courtesy of Chico State.”
  • Review Chico State’s policy on policy on AI-generated photo content

Do Not Alter Photographs

Be extremely careful about altering a photograph with a photo editing software program. Any alterations that affect the accuracy of the persons, places, or events depicted in the photo should be avoided, this includes the use of generative AI (please read policy on AI-generated photo content). If you have any questions about the appropriateness of a change, contact our University Photographer at jahalley@csuchico.edu. 

Photography on Campus

Chico State generally allows people to take photographs on campus in public settings as long as it does not disrupt the academic environment. You should gain consent using a release form from the individuals phographed in images where subjects are easily identifiable and/or for wide use.

Any individual or organization other than the working news media that plans to take pictures for broadcast or public use must contact University Communications.

Any person wishing to take photographs of the campus with the purpose of using them in any form for commercial gain should first contact University Communications or the Office of the President at presidentoffice@csuchico.edu.

Audio/Visual Release Forms

When photographing or filming individuals at University-related events, photographers and videographers should obtain a signed audio/visual release form for University use. Exceptions include general campus photos or images captured at public events, such as crowd shots, situations where individuals are not easily identifiable, or when attendees can reasonably expect to appear in photos or video.

Photography or videography of individuals in classrooms, buildings or within any expectation of privacy must have the written approval of the individual for use of the image. If the subject is a minor under the age of 18, a parent or guardian is required to sign the form.

View the Chico State audio/visual release form (PDF).

Writing Photo Captions

Following photos, captions are one of the first things your readers notice and consume when they look at your publication or webpage. The best captions are meaningful, captivating, and make readers want to know more so they read the entire article. Read Writing Photo Captions for tips.

Badri Ghimire tearing off bad leaves
Biological sciences lecturer Badri Ghimire researches impacts of deer grazing on manzanita plants.
(Photo by Jason Halley / University Photographer).

Photo Request Guidelines

Campus photographers work directly with academic departments and administrative offices to create photographs, including professional portraits, for a variety of needs. At times, student photographers may be available for small events and to assist the University Photographer.

Requests are given priority based on availability of photographers and in agreement with University Advancement goals. These include major University events and celebrations, marketing and promotional photos, campus news, notable guests and supporters, and campus environment. Photography may be subject to staff availability for colleges and departments, academic programs, activities, events, student life, classroom environments, and off-campus events.

Submit a photo request by emailing our University Photographer at jahalley@csuchico.edu.

Please provide the following information in your request:

  • Requesting Client Contact information (name/dept/phone/email)
  • Event/Subject Name
  • Date/Time
  • Location
  • Any Immediate Deadlines or Constraints (Photo Due Date)
  • Purpose/Intention of Photo
  • Any Additional Directions

Many photographs of campus, student life, and events are available through Flickr galleries. This Flickr account allows the campus to view general imagery for non-commercial use.

Chico State also maintains a local digital image database that can be searched. For inquiries, contact the University Photographer, 530-898-6114.

Historical photographs, which include University Archives, may be viewed in the Meriam Library Special Collections, 530-898-6342.

Student ID photos are used only for student (Wildcat Card) ID cards unless the student gives permission to release the photo for a secondary use. When a request for the photo is made by someone other than the student, the student is contacted. If they approve releasing the photo, a digital file of the photo is made available to the requesting party.

The Wildcat Card Office must receive proof of authorization prior to releasing a photo. When a student dies, their Wildcat Card photo is maintained for six months, and then removed from the database. If a request for a deceased student's photo is made within the six-month period, an attempt to contact the immediate family of the student will be made. All requests made to the Wildcat Card Office will be referred to the Office of University Communications. If the family approves the release of the photo, the digital file of the photo will be released to the requesting party. Questions about Wildcat Card photos should be directed to the Wildcat Card Office, 530-898-6119.

Contact our University Photographer at jahalley@csuchico.edu or University Communications at ucomm@csuchico.edu.