Our primary focus is on JMU marketing projects. Due to limitations on time and resources, we are not able to schedule individual faculty/staff headshots or group photos throughout the year.
Headshot or Group Photo Sign Up
Faculty and staff are welcome to sign up for a five-minute photography time slot on the following dates:
- Monday, August 14 - Festival Lower Drum
- November date coming soon
We offer 4 dates each year for headshots and group photos. New dates will be added here when available.
How to prepare for your headshot or group photo slot
- Choose a date/time above and sign up on the Google sheet.
- If you scheduled a group photo, be sure to communicate the time slot to all persons who need to be in the photo.
- On the day of your shoot:
- Dress professionally and avoid clothing with distracting logos or patterns.
- Arrive at least 3 minutes prior to your scheduled time.
DIY Photos
Headshots and group photos for department websites/emails can also be captured with your phone! Below are some tips for capturing great photos of people on your device without the need for a professional photographer.
- Indoor Light - If you’re shooting indoors, have your subject stand near a window (facing the window or slightly facing the window) for soft light and less harsh shadows. Do not take a photo of a person with a window or primary light source behind them.
- Outdoor Light - The best time to take photos of people outside is on a cloudy/overcast day to avoid harsh shadows from the sun. If the sun is out, find a shaded location for best results.
- Background - Consider a simple, non-distracting background. If your phone has portrait mode, consider using it to blur the background.
- Camera Height - Keep the camera near eye-level.
- Individual Pose - If you’re shooting an individual, have the subject turn their body 45 degrees, then have them turn their head toward the camera.
- Group Pose - Have all subjects turn their bodies 45 degrees toward the center.
University Marketing & Branding
