Photography

All photo requests must be submitted via a photography request form (Please see below for links to the various forms). Forms must be:

• • Submitted by a faculty or staff member, not a student, with approval from the appropriate dean or department supervisor.

• • Completed fully, including the event agenda and all applicable requests and details.

• • Submitted 14 business days before an event. Requests may be denied if the form is submitted less than 14 business days before an event.

Exception: Headshots and environmental portraits are scheduled using an automated calendar system, as explained below.

The Chief Marketing and Communications Officer (CMCO) will review all photography request forms and make final approval/denial decisions based on three criteria:

1. How closely the request aligns with the mission of increasing the university’s overall visibility and brand recognition

2. Whether the request meets a pre-existing marketing need as determined by the CMCO and the photography team

3. Whether the request falls within the available schedule and resources of Marcomm’s photography staff

If a photography request does not meet all three criteria, it may be denied, or photography services may be offered at a cost to the requestor, as explained below.

The following photography services do not require a photography request form. They have been pre-approved by the CMCO to be offered free of charge to the requestor:

• • Studio portraits (headshots) for faculty and staff are featured on the university’s website. Headshots may be scheduled at tamuc.edu/Headshots.

• • Environmental portraits for faculty and staff are shot in more natural environments that may depict the subject in their work environment or another non-studio location. These photos are featured on faculty and staff web pages on the university’s website. Environmental portraits may be scheduled at tamuc.edu/enviroportraits.

The following photography requests may be approved and provided at no cost:*

• • Classroom and departmental photos for marketing use on the university’s website.

• • Photos with high marketing value (as determined by the CMCO) depicting:

  • ○ Students living and learning on campus
  • ○ Campus buildings and landmarks
  • ○ Certain university events that are newsworthy or significant, like executive-level new hire press conferences, groundbreakings, naming events, donor events, graduations, athletics events and homecoming

*All requests and subsequent charges are subject to final approval by the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer.

Some photography requests may include service or travel charges. If a photography request is approved, Marcomm will provide the requestor with a quote for all applicable charges prior to the event.*

The following circumstances may necessitate charges for Marcomm’s photography services:

1. Approval criteria not met: If an event does not meet the three approval criteria listed above, the photography request may be approved* at a cost of $100/hour/camera for a minimum of two (2) hours, charged to the requestor.

   Events that may not meet approval criteria—but may be provided at a cost—include events with low marketing value, such as awards banquets, galas and luncheons.*

   Note:The “per camera” fee refers to the number of cameras used at an event, not the number of photographers. For example, a single photographer may operate multiple cameras, or multiple photographers may operate multiple cameras.

2. Off-campus location: If an event occurs at a location beyond the university’s main campus in Commerce, Texas, travel expenses to and from the photo shoot location will be charged to the requestor. Travel for a photo shoot is charged based on the current federal mileage rate.

   Exception: If the photo shoot is conducted at one of the university’s extended sites for marketing purposes (as determined by the CMCO), charges do not apply.*

3. Services outside of business hours:Photo shoots that occur outside of the university’s regular business hours (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) are subject to a $100/hour/camera fee for a minimum of two (2) hours, charged to the requestor.

4. Last-minute changes: Since last-minute requests and changes can compromise the quality and efficiency of the photo team’s services, a $100/hour/camera fee for a minimum of (2) hours may be assessed for any event wherein the requestor:

   • • Schedules an incorrect photo shoot time
   • • Makes a last-minute request (less than 14 business days before an event)
   • • Requests a cancellation less than two business days before an event
   • • Requests changes to the scope of the photo shoot

*All requests and subsequent charges are subject to final approval by the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer.

Texas A&M University-Commerce photography follows the ethical guidelines put forth by the American Marketing Association

The American Marketing Association commits to the highest standards of ethical norms and values. We recognize that the marketing community not only serves organizations but also acts as a steward of society in creating and facilitating the transactions and experiences that drive the greater economy. In this role, all stakeholders of the community are expected to embrace the highest ethical norms and values implied by our responsibility to society.

Ethical Norms

Norms are ethical principles informed by society and adopted by the AMA that govern and guide the behavior of its stakeholders.

As Marketers, we must:

1. Do no harm. This means not only consciously avoiding harmful actions or omissions but also striving to benefit all stakeholders and society at large. We must embody high ethical standards and, at a minimum, adhere to all applicable laws and regulations in the choices we make.
2. Foster and maintain integrity. This means striving for transparency and fairness in all aspects of the marketing ecosystem. 
3. Embrace ethical values. This means building relationships and enhancing stakeholder confidence by affirming these core values: honesty, responsibility, equity, transparency, and citizenship. 

Ethical Values

Values represent the collective understanding of what the community finds appropriate, desirable, and morally acceptable. Values also serve as the criteria for evaluating our own personal actions and the actions of others.

Honesty

• Be truthful in all situations, at all times, and with all stakeholders, rejecting any manipulation, coercion, or approaches that negatively affect trust.
• Offer valuable solutions that reflect the intentions stated in communications and interactions.
• Honor explicit and implicit commitments and promises.

Responsibility

• Acknowledge the social obligations to stakeholders that come with increased marketing and economic power.
• Consider environmental and societal stewardship in our decision-making.
• Strive to exceed industry or legal standards in the protection of private or sensitive information of customers, employees, and partners.
• Recognize and accept the consequences of our marketing decisions and strategies.

Transparency

• Strive for a spirit of openness in all aspects of the marketing profession.
• Communicate clearly with all constituencies.
• Accept and acknowledge feedback from customers, colleagues, and other stakeholders.
• Take appropriate action to explain and mitigate potential significant risks or other foreseeable outcomes that will or could impact any stakeholder.
• Fully disclose any information that might affect interactions or decisions within the processes or protocols related to marketing.
• Avoid participation in conflicts of interest.
• Appropriately recognize the contributions of others to marketing endeavors, such as consultants, employees, and coworkers.

Citizenship

• Fulfill the economic, legal, philanthropic, and societal responsibilities that serve stakeholders.
• Value the role that marketing plays in business and society.
• Strive to protect the ecological environment and communicate sustainability efforts and aspirations honestly and transparently.
• Give back to the community through volunteerism and charitable donations.
• Contribute to the overall betterment of marketing and its reputation. 
• Compel all partners to ensure that trade and production is fair for all participants in the marketing ecosystem.

Implementation

We expect those associated with the AMA and the marketing community at large to be courageous and proactive in the fulfillment of the explicit and implicit promises contained in this Statement of Ethics.

This Statement of Ethics is part of a broader AMA Code of Conduct that contains Behavior Expectations for anyone who interacts with or within the AMA community. The AMA upholds compliance with the Behavior Expectations through the reporting mechanisms and disciplinary procedures contained in the Code of Conduct.

However, the AMA does not have the resources to adjudicate compliance with the Statement of Ethics in all areas within the marketing community. Thus, it is intended as an aspirational statement to motivate and inspire the marketing community to commit to upholding the highest standards of ethical norms and values. 

A professional headshot is a tightly cropped photo of your face, from the shoulders up, on a simple background.

We provide professional headshots for faculty, staff and graduate assistants by appointment in Binnion Hall.

Schedule a Headshot

If you need to schedule a time outside our standard open hours, please contact the Studio: MarcommStudio@tamuc.edu

Student Headshots

Talent Release Form

You will be required to sign our talent release form prior to taking your photo.

Viewing Your Headshot

After your headshot has been taken, it is usually available within five business days. To access your headshot:

1.     Go to the A&M-Commerce Photography Archive.  

2.     In the search bar (top right), type your name and press return.

3.     When you see your photo, click on it.

4.     Then, click the download icon in the bottom right corner of your browser.

Your environmental portrait tells the story of who you are and what you do in your profession. Our photographers will help to illuminate your personality and discipline as a part of the A&M-Commerce community.

Please schedule at least 14 business days in advance.

Schedule your portrait

Is your organization, class or department doing something on campus that you think should be captured through photography? We want to hear about it!

Please schedule at least 14 business days in advance.

Request an Event Photo Shoot

Great imagery can enhance the impact of your print and digital marketing materials. If you are updating your website or creating print materials for your department, program or organization, we would love to help.

Please schedule at least 14 business days in advance.

Request a Marketing Photo Shoot - NEW FORM COMING SOON