Content Development

We take a 360-degree view of LSU to explore creative ways to promote the university and its community through informative and engaging stories. From a written story, video, photo gallery, social media post, or press release shared with local, state, or national media, we look for stories that would be of interest across our vast audience base. Whether the idea is generated in-house or submitted from outside our office, we collaborate on its creation.

 

Photography

We capture the visual essence of the university’s brand. We maintain the photography library for LSU colleges, departments, and units to use when producing official university communications and the archive of historical imagery, so the rich history of LSU is preserved and easily accessible. Additionally, we set standards for units taking original photographs or using stock photography for university publications, on a website, or in social media.

We provide studio headshot photographs for new faculty, staff, and administrative personnel on campus. If you need to schedule services, please make a request through our service portal to discuss details of your photoshoot. At this time, we are not able to provide headshot photography for students, student workers, or graduate assistants. Resources are available through Olinde Career Center and discipline-specific events targeting undergraduate or graduate students.

We offer a selection of photos, free of charge, to LSU colleges, departments, and units for use in producing official university communications and have a very large database of campus photographs available for a nominal fee. If you need photography and want to review photos in the database, please contact our photography team regarding details of your project, types of photos you need, timing for when needed, and any other information you can provide to help compile photos to meet your needs. Keep in mind that database photos may be unedited in your preliminary review but will be edited and touched up when you receive them in final format.

If you choose to you use your own original photographs or stock photography, remember to use high-resolution files to ensure image clarity.

  • For print high-resolution files, measure the dimensions you wish to use them at 300 ppi (pixels per inch) or higher.
  • For websites, 72 ppi can be used.

If you are providing us with original photographs, it is best to give us the original camera file rather than an edited file to allow for more editing options with the image.

Recommendation: When producing general LSU pieces, stress academics but also try to use a mix of images representing research, service-learning, the LSU campus, Mike the Tiger, and athletics. 

Based upon availability, our staff photographers may be available for special occasions and events on campus as long as the requests align with the goals and mission determined by the university. Please ask one of our photographers for more information.

We can also provide a list of recommended freelance photographers registered with Procurement Services.

If you use a vendor, be sure to obtain a written estimate that includes usage rights for the images and how the images will be supplied to you. Ask your photographer to make sure they enter all relevant information into digital files using metadata, including their name and contact addresses, copyright information, and usage rights. Always adhere to standard university purchasing guidelines.

Social Media

We manage the university’s main social media persona, bolstering the brand through consistent and strategic engagement with audiences using various social media platforms. We generate excitement and awareness around university-related events or news with daily and live updates while providing leadership and guidance to university entities in the management of their own department-specific social accounts and content.

The social media policy provides guidance for faculty and staff in satisfying LSU’s marketing and communications missions on social media.

We maintain a directory of all LSU social media channels. To be included in this list, colleges, departments, and units managing social media accounts must email socialmedia@lsu.edu at the Office of Communications & University Relations with the following information:

  • Name of unit
  • Social Media channels – Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, SnapChat, etc.
  • Social Media URL for each channel
  • Email account tied to the channel – must be a university provided email account
  • Name of department contact responsible for account

In the event of additions or changes, each college, department, or unit is responsible for updating this information with the university's central social media team at the Office of Communications & University Relations.

Video

We bring to life the university’s overarching goals and accomplishments through video storytelling. We spotlight the people—our bright students and alumni, our world-renowned faculty researchers, and our extraordinary staff—who make the LSU community exceptional today and throughout history.

Releases

Many units that wish to capture video or still photography must receive a signed release from individuals featured in the video or photograph. Minors must have a release signed by parents or legal guardians. A copy of the release form can be obtained from our office.

Rights Agreements

Many units like to use music for video or radio projects that are copyrighted works. The university is covered by a blanket ASCAP agreement, which allows units to use contemporary music in their productions, provided that the music is covered by ASCAP.