Photography

Our photography is not about the mechanics of healthcare; instead, it reflects the experience — visual, emotional, social — of receiving care from UW Medicine.

We illustrate the engagement and exchange between the provider and the patient, reflecting that patients are equal and active partners in the process of their care and treatment.

The images communicate that our providers are engaged, accessible and committed to improving the lives of patients; they are propelled by compassion, expertise and unwavering purpose. The way we photograph patients shows that they feel valued by their providers and the UW Medicine system.

The transmission of knowledge and values is at the heart of the UW School of Medicine, and our photography illustrates that. Both faculty and students are active participants in learning environments, whether in a lab, exam room or a small group session in a classroom.

Our imagery shows the engagement and connection between instructors and students. Faculty are animated by their pleasure in sharing their expertise and deep respect for the learning process and for patients.

We depict the varied emotions and reactions in the learning environment: intense concentration, “aha” moments, hesitancy, tenacity, camaraderie and more.

This imagery reflects the realities and range of our research: some is done solo and requires deep focus while some takes place in collaboration with others.

Whether working at the bench, reviewing data on a laptop or having an informal hallway conversation, our researchers are a key pillar of the UW Medicine mission to improve the public’s health.

Stock photos are a useful way to illustrate sports and physical activities, domestic moments, the outdoors and lifestyle scenes. They can illustrate sensitive subjects like mental health, addiction issues, sexual health and more.

Stock images should share the same warm qualities as our documentary-style photography: authentic and intimate; shot with available light or subtle fill light. Avoid photos that are obviously staged, feature unrealistic lighting effects or are heavily Photoshopped.

When illustrating a healthcare scene using stock, be sure that it does not feature a staff member, ID badge, uniform, activity or location that is clearly not associated with UW Medicine. Images that show the back of a model’s head with a focus on a patient’s face are acceptable.

Visual details of non-UW Medicine providers or locations are permissible (hands, pharmacy pill bottles, medical equipment, generic exam rooms, etc.).

Landscapes should reflect the Pacific Northwest — for example, a rocky Puget Sound shoreline rather than a tropical beach.

Standards:

• The photo must be a high-quality color portrait, professionally shot in a studio against a gray or light-blue background. It should be shot from the mid-chest up with the right shoulder leading.
• Appropriate business attire is required — providers should dress as they do when seeing patients.
• Lab coats are not required, but if the provider wears one while seeing patients, it is recommended that they wear one in the headshot. If worn, coats should be clean and well-pressed.
• Scrubs and ID badges are not allowed.
• The file to be uploaded to a bio should be a 72 ppi jpg cropped at 480 × 480 px.

Bio edits and technical photo requirements:

• Temporary blemishes (pimples, shaving nicks) and shine should be removed as much as possible.
• Final edited 300 ppi / 3000 × 3720 px jpg files will be uploaded to WebDam by the end of the week for each shoot and will be accessible for departments and coordinators to download. Portraits will be labeled LastName-MiddleInitial-FirstName.jpg.