Photo and video style

A camera on a tripod in a blank white photography studio

Photos and videos are a great way to show off the University’s people, locations and achievements.

We have a large collection of images and video footage available for you to use in our image library (Asset Bank), and on our YouTube channel. Please contact the Marketing Office before commissioning new photography or filming in case we already have it covered.

If you commission new photography or videography content, it should reflect the visual style below to align with our brand personality.

Friendly and authentic

  • Show people who are relaxed and comfortable in their surroundings;
  • Reflect a warmth and friendliness between people;
  • Capture how people experience our campuses and use our facilities;
  • Represent the diversity of our community in terms of race, ability, age, gender and size.

Straightforward and focused

  • Think about the message you want the image to convey – it helps to add a real focus point and results in a meaningful image;
  • Capture what makes us special in terms of facilities, location, people or achievements.

Emotive

  • Try to capture action and emotion in the moment it happens - this also makes it authentic
  • Our teaching, research and engagement make a difference in people’s lives, try to find opportunities to capture the impact our work has on people.

Good examples

Rugby players celebrate victory in a Roses match

Sporting victory

This photo, captured in the moment, is authentic, emotive and friendly.

Students by the green wall in the Library

Relaxed study

Capturing two students, relaxed and mid-conversation whilst a third is working, feels spontaneous, friendly and authentic.

A student focuses during a lecture in the Management School

Paying attention

This image is authentic, straightforward and focused. Showing one student (and two more who are out of focus) paying rapt attention during a lecture reminds people of the serious study expected of students at Lancaster.

Students sit at a picnic bench in front of the Infolab building

A picnic by Infolab

Although the students are small in the frame, the candid nature of the photography makes it feel genuine whilst also showing off the University campus.

Asset Bank and stock images

All of our photography can be found in our Asset Bank and is available for all staff to download and use in print, on the web and in social media posts, for example. Search for images here first before commissioning a photography shoot to avoid duplicating work. Please visit our Asset Bank guidance page for more information on access and usage.

If suitable images can't be found within the University's extensive collection and it's impractical to organise a photo shoot, it may be necessary to use stock images. There are commercial (paid-for) and free stock images available but please be aware of financial and legal implications such as usage licences, copyright or time restrictions before including them in your work.

For example, storing or using images for a purpose they have not been paid or downloaded for may incur heavy fines which will need to be paid for from department budgets. If you do purchase an image, please make sure a copy of the purchase agreement is sent to the Marketing Office.

If you are unsure whether you are allowed to use an image, please check with the Marketing Office to avoid costly fines.