The DOM communications team partners with department faculty and staff to capture images of programs, people and events for all sorts of communications projects. 

To get great shots, start by making a plan.

1. Identify everyone who should be involved as either a photo subject or a subject matter expert—and why.
2. Develop a "shot list"—a structured list of desired photographs.
3. Identify someone to be the liaison between the photo subjects and the communications team on issues of scheduling, location and correspondence with stakeholders (for example, clinic managers, charge nurses or other colleagues). It's most helpful if the liaison is a single person who can also be present at shoots to help coordinate onsite logistics.

1. Read "Best Practices for Inclusive and Diverse Photography in Higher Education," a short, user-friendly paper from the University Photographers' Association of America.
2. If you intend to capture images of patients for marketing purposes, you must get official written permission from each subject. Work with the communications team to complete the campus Authorization for Disclosure of Medical Information for Marketing or Fundraising form (or its UW Health equivalent) and send all completed forms back to us for archiving.

• Try not to show backs of heads and disengaged subjects.
• If a computer is needed in the shot, consider minimizing as much as possible.
• Reduce busy backgrounds or miscellaneous items that will distract the viewer.
• Focus on the people as much as possible. Show the feeling of what the work is like, not just the specific activities.
• Aim for photos that are wider and closer to subjects. This yields better content.
• Think about your audience: how will this image speak to them?

When you're ready, schedule a production meeting with Clint Thayer to review your plans, ask and answer questions, and schedule shoots.