Photo and Video Release Guidelines

The following guidelines have been developed by Purdue Marketing and Communications and the Office of the Registrar. If your college, school or program has established more stringent requirements than what is listed here, you should observe your area’s requirements.  

• Campus exteriors are public-access spaces. When filming video or shooting photos, there should be no issues for your shoots.  
• When shooting interiors of academic buildings on campus, building deputies should be notified. 
• When using video/photographs of individuals in your promotional materials and media, it is important to consider if a release/consent form from the photograph’s subjects/models is required before the photograph is published or otherwise made publicly available.  

A release is not typically required when:

• The person is being photographed while smiling; is posing for the camera; has direct knowledge of being photographed; or is part of the shoot, verbally consenting, of their own free will.
• Photographed in a public space or at public events where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy, including but not limited to: sporting events, Boiler Gold Rush, Spring Fest and concerts. These types of photographs include general campus scene photos.
• The primary focus of a video/photograph is taken in a non-public environment and is not recognizable, such as a silhouette, rearview or out-of-focus shot. 
• The subject is a Purdue faculty or staff member. 
• The subject is invited to attend a group activity/event and chose to participate of their own free will. 
• In a classroom or lab environment where the video/photography has been requested by the faculty member, department, college or other appropriate agent of the University.   

A release is typically required when:

• The subject is a minor. It is important to obtain a signed release for minors. Exceptions may include: public events such as Spring Fest or athletic events. In the absence of a signed release, verbal permission from the parent or guardian is advised. 
• The subject is a current student in a location for a specific purpose other than being photographed. For example, if a group of current students is studying in a Purdue library and you want to take a photograph of the group studying, a release/consent form or verbal consent should be obtained from each subject. 
• The subject is in an area where one has a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as inside PUSH, the Purdue Pharmacy, Steer Clinic(s) and classrooms. 

As a courtesy to subjects/models, you are encouraged to obtain at least verbal consent in instances where an individual can be identified and is the primary focus of a specific photograph. 

Online Release Form Print Release Form