Photography

Photography is one of the quickest and clearest ways to communicate a message. That’s why it is so important to get it right! Our photography guidelines represent the pillars and values of our university, including our commitment to authenticity, diversity in all it’s forms, Cura Personalis, and the spirit of being part of the Fordham family.

Our photo categories are a useful way to tell the Fordham story with its own focus and strengths. Much of our photography could fit in multiple categories - and thats ok! The categories help us remember all the big facets of Fordham’s offer and they are a tool for creating balance in communications. So we don’t picture all the same things in our photography and depict the robust university we are.

  • Campus Beauty
  • NYC Beauty
  • Our People in Action
  • Our People in Contemplation
  • Artistic
  • Portraits

Campus Beauty

One of Fordham’s most significant differentiating factors and selling points, are our beautiful campuses. They are critical to selling what Fordham has to offer.

Students standing at a table, collaborating over a document

Campus Beauty

Focus on lighting, clean environments, engagement

Two students in white lab coats working together in a lab

Campus Beauty

Focus on lighting, environment

A classroom with students at their desk with heads down, writing

Campus Beauty

Focus on lighting

Student sitting in class looking forward to the front of the classroom

Campus Beauty

Focus on lighting

NYC Beauty

New York is my campus, Fordham is my school” is more than a tagline - it defines learning at Fordham. New York City is a critical differentiator for Fordham, and how we depict it separates us from our city peers.

Group of students near Lincoln Center campus looking ahead and smiling

NYC Beauty

Fordham’s New York is about community, so students should see that they are not alone. We try to depict our city as inclusive, vibrant, and safe.

Two buildings from Lincoln Center campus shot vertically

Create images of multiple students together.

Look for our students wearing Fordham colors and swag off-campus.

Fordham Law School photographed from above

Picture students across the city,

including our Bronx neighborhood. Fordham students don’t stay in the few blocks that surround the university - they take advantage of all New York has to offer.

Image on left shows students sitting in the park with the image on the right showing an excited student walking down subway steps

Shoot at natural angles,

the city shouldn’t feel like another world, even if it is for some of our students! Make sure photos of buildings are a realistic view in most images.

Student wearing a jacket on a fall day looking forwar

NYC Beauty

Make the student/s stand out from the background

Our People In Action

This is how we capture all of the amazing things Fordham’s people do; from a theater performance, to an excursion abroad, to a group discussion in the lab – anytime our community is celebrating, working, or making moves. This category is all about energy and action within the Fordham community.

A photo of Keating Hall and Jack Coffey Field

Resist the urge to pose a moment of action.

Authentic energy brings a situation to life!

Campus Beauty

These photos require a level of trust

between the subject and the photographer. The goal is to have the camera close enough to make an immersive image.

Our People In Contemplation

This is how we capture the idea of Cura Personalis, and highlights our community in moments of mentorship, collaboration, and friendship. This can include students studying, praying or contemplating. This category sets Fordham apart from its peers by sharing how Fordham supports the whole person.

Fordham Ram statue on Rose Hill campus

These moments happen all the time at Fordham.

It’s what makes Fordham unique in New York City.

Picture of students on grass in front of Keating Hall

These images are sometimes less exciting

than a high-action shot, but it’s important to have in the mix to provide the complete scope of what Fordham offers.

Fountain on Rose Hill Campus

We walk the walk, not just talk the talk.

Our photos should reflect the unique focus Fordham has on belonging, community and mission.

Artistic

These are editorial, textural or detail shots that help set a mood in our communications. This is Fordham’s photography at its most stylized. Artistic photos are used as accents in larger projects.

 

A group of students standing near and a railing, talking

These photos are all about composition.

The subject matter can be mundane or beautiful but the image should be composed artistically and have a distinct tone.

Using the city as a backdrop

These images will often be of objects or places,

but people can also be captured in a more artistic way and be used in our materials.

Portraits

Staged portraits and head shots will always be a part of our photo needs and are the best way to tell a student’s unique story. This category, more than the others, is about storytelling. Our subjects are captured in settings that help bring their story to life.

Three students sitting on stair steps smiling and looking forward

Settings should be clear and relevant,

without a blurred or out-of-focus background. The setting is as important as the subject for storytelling.

A classroom with students at their desk with heads down, writing

Portraits should be honest and relaxed,

allowing the subject’s personality to shine through.

Student leaning against a stair railing smiling

How the subject is posed,

what they are wearing, and where they are situated, all contribute to the subject’s comfort and let their unique personality shine.

Student standing in hallway looking straight ahead, smiling

The photos should not look like corporate head sho

even in situations where dress and subject matter is formal.

Student standing in hallway looking straight ahead, smiling

Portraits should tell a story.

Photo Archive “Libris”

The Fordham University photo collection highlights students, faculty, campus life, research, campus beauty, events and people from across the university. 

Our photo library is stored in a digital asset management system called “Libris”. A user name and password is required to use Libris.
If you are in need of photos, the process is simple. 

  1. Speak to your account manager or contact the marketing office at [email protected] with your request. 
  2. Within the Libris application, a lightbox or folder will be created. A member of the Marketing team will fill this folder with photo options. 
  3. A link will be provided by your account manager. Once you’ve clicked on this link, a folder will open with a selection of high resolution images.