Photography

Photographs tell the story of Wake Forest to a broad audience, and our photographs should present a true and complete picture of the University.

When using photographs in any Wake Forest publication, print or electronic, please abide by the following:

Representation

Take care to ensure that the photograph appropriately illustrates the point being made in your publication.

• Read the original caption for information about the contents of the photograph. Captions may be viewed in any picture-editing application.
• Do not claim or imply something that does not exist in the original.
• Please do not use students from one school or college to promote another.
• Be especially cognizant of financial aid, scholarship and diversity issues.

Manipulation

Do not manipulate photographs in any way that changes or misrepresents their original meaning and content. Changes that improve the technical quality of the image are acceptable.

Unacceptable:

• Combining two or more photographs into an image that might be mistaken for an original photograph.
• Adding or removing people or objects from a photograph.
• Representing a set-up photograph as a “found” moment.
• Extreme cropping that changes the meaning or content of the photo.

Acceptable:

• Tonal and color corrections intended to improve the accuracy of the photograph in publication.
• Local exposure and contrast changes (burning and dodging).
• Routine cropping that does not change the meaning or content of the photo.

Artificial intelligence and generative AI

University policy on generative AI and the use of artificial intelligence to create Wake Forest communications (including images) is evolving. For information on AI platforms licensed by Wake Forest, please visit the IS website.

Usage and permission

The University Photographer does not routinely obtain signed written model releases. Photographs of Wake Forest students, faculty and staff taken in public areas may be published in a news or editorial context. Reuse in a marketing or advertising context requires more care. It is a good idea to email the subject(s) of the photograph and ask permission before using a photo in a marketing or commercial context. (Names of subjects, when available, are in the caption.)