Images
Stockholm University aims for a cohesive image communication. This is achieved by following Stockholm University's image style, primarily choosing images from the Media Bank, or hiring our contracted photographers.
Through consistency, we convey a unified and clear image of our university.
Image style
The university's image style describes the characteristics of our images. It is crucial to follow the style as we wish to present a cohesive and clear image of Stockholm University – our brand.
Image sources
As an employee, you have access to several image sources. Primarily use the university’s Media Bank. Ensure your image choices follow the university’s visual identity. The supplier for illustrations and animations is Azote AB.
Media bank
The Media Bank contains Stockholm University’s common images which can be downloaded by employees and used in our channels. The folder for press images is also open to others. Employees log in with their university account. Suppliers and others contact visuellidentitet@su.se for login details.
Britannica image quest
Britannica Image Quest is a service provided by the university library. You need to be registered as a student, researcher, or employee at Stockholm University to log in to the library’s e-resources. Check the resolution of the images. Most are low-resolution and should therefore only be used on the web or in small print formats.
Contracted image agencies, and supplier for illustration and animation
Complete information for each service is available in the Contract Catalogue under Communication and PR/Photo and Illustration.
Mostphotos
Mostphotos is a contracted image agency with general images for publications in Stockholm University’s channels. The service is also contracted for images for research communication, but it is the same service. Employees, primarily communicators and web editors, can get login details by applying to the Communications Office: visuellidentitet@su.se.
The account provides employees with a limited number of downloads per month.
Folio
Folio is a contracted Swedish image agency to complement the university’s own Media Bank and contracted accounts for general images from Mostphotos.
Users create their own accounts after contacting Folio and pay for the images themselves based on usage.
Azote AB
Stockholm University has an agreement for the production of illustrations and animations, ranging from simple general illustrations to advanced scientific infographics.
Order photography
Since June 2024, the university has new contracted suppliers. By ordering photography from suppliers, you get professional images that follow Stockholm University’s visual identity.
The framework agreement is divided into two sub-areas and it is important that the correct sub-area receives the order and quotation request. If the contracted supplier for the sub-area is unable to undertake the task, they can refer to a subcontractor or the other sub-area.
Request for a quote
The first step is to send a request for a quote by email. Information, contact details, price lists and word templates for the request for quotation can be found on this page and in the Contract Catalogue, where you will find the contracts under Communication and PR/Photo and illustration.
Information and Prices, Sub-area 1 (PDF, 167.2 kB)
Information and Prices, Sub-area 2 (PDF, 168.5 kB)
Quotation Request for Photo Services (Word, 38 kB)
Word, 38.3 kB.
Contract Catalogue via Staff Web, choose Local and Internal Framework Agreements
Beställning
När du fått offerten från leverantören gör du en beställning via ”Marknadsplats” i Raindance.
- Search ‘Photo service’ or ‘Illustration’
- Place your order and attach the quote you received from the supplier in the last step
Sub-area 1: Profile pictures. Photographer Kristian Pohl
This sub-area covers the photography of idea and reportage images that profile Stockholm University and strengthen the brand, e.g. student recruitment, research communication, and other profiling activities, as well as images that profile the university’s atmosphere, environment, and lifestyle.
Tasks should begin no later than five working days after notification or by agreement.
The supplier should send low-resolution draft images for review within 72 hours after the task is completed, or by agreement, depending on the nature and scope of the task. Final delivery of images should be made no later than 72 hours, or by agreement, after selection has been made in consultation with the customer. In exceptional cases, such as photography of profiling events and ceremonies, the customer may request faster delivery directly from the site or the same day, for publication on social media and/or the web.
Sub-area 2: News and event pictures, portraits. Bildbyrån i Hässleholm. Photographer Johanna Säll
This sub-area covers images taken at important news events, events, and conferences for Stockholm University, but also more formalised portrait photography of employees and researchers for profile pages and/or press releases. The purpose of the images is to meet the image needs that arise with short notice or for quick delivery. The images are intended for use by the university and its partners on the web, social media, and print.
Tasks should begin no later than 48 hours after ordering or by agreement.
Images should be delivered no later than 24 hours after the task is completed or by agreement. In cases where images are particularly important for conveying news, the images should be transferable directly from the site or the same day, by agreement between the customer and the supplier. For portrait images of employees, the images should be delivered no later than 72 hours after the task is completed or by agreement.
Photograph yourself
If you choose to photograph yourself, it is important to photograph according to Stockholm University’s image style and ensure that the published images are high quality.
Identifiable persons need to fill in a consent form:
Adults
Consent form – name, photo, film, interview (adult)
Pdf, 287.6 kB.
Children
Consent form – name, photo, film, interview (child) Pdf, 172.3 kB.
Image management
Here's how to handle images.
Collection
When searching for images, primarily use Stockholm University’s Media Bank, a contracted photographer/illustrator, or an image agency. Always check quality and usage rights.
Editing
Always request the creator's permission if images are to be retouched or otherwise manipulated.
Archiving
Departments/centres/offices are responsible for storing the images they have ordered. Note that the Media Bank only contains current, university-wide images and is not intended as a general image archive.
Uploading to Media Bank
Do you have images that could be of interest to the entire university? They can be added to the Media Bank. Send the images along with information about the photographer, usage rights, and image descriptions to visuellidentitet@su.se.
Usage rights and copyright
According to the agreement, Stockholm University has the right of use for an unlimited period of time, in Stockholm University's digital and analogue channels, over the images that procured suppliers have delivered to the client. The right of use only applies to publications where Stockholm University is the clear sender, or in clear connection with Stockholm University or partners.
The university has the right to share the images with partners in connection with collaborations. Collaboration partners include, for example, other universities, associations, authorities and funding bodies. In these cases, partners also have the right to disseminate the images in their own digital and analogue channels.
The university can also purchase rights for dissemination to third parties, such as press, media, individuals, organisations, companies.
The university has the right to store the images in the University’s Media Bank, as well as in internal archives and has the right to crop images for adaptation to different channels. Larger adaptations or edits should always be done in consultation with the supplier.
The copyright of the images remains with the supplier. The customer does not have the right to use the images in other contexts than agreed without the supplier’s permission. Additional usage beyond what is agreed requires special permission from the supplier. Always credit the creator (a so-called photo byline) in connection with the image where possible, even in social media.
When using a photo, video, or illustration, it is important to always check how these can be used. This is especially important when obtaining images from external sources or downloading from the internet. The images in the Media Bank are purchased from various photographers for different purposes and the image information explains the usage rights.
To publish photographed artwork on the university campus, apply for rights via Bildupphovsrätt (BUS). This applies if the artwork is an important part of the content or composition of the image. Forms and price lists are available on the BUS website.
Naming the creator – photo byline
According to copyright law, the photographer or illustrator must always be credited when the image is displayed, where possible. On the web, place the photographer’s name as a caption (not alt-text). In videos, include the information in the end credits and in social media in the post texts.
Copyright for employees at Stockholm University
For images taken by administrative and technical staff employed at Stockholm University, the copyright belongs to the photographer, but Stockholm University has unlimited user rights - even after employment. For research and teaching staff, the so-called teacher exception applies - the copyright belongs to the individual employee.
Copyright and Licences
There are several things to consider regarding how you handle copyright for your own material and what you need to think about when using others' copyrighted material.
Consent forms
Individuals depicted in images and who can be recognised must always be asked for permission. They need to provide written consent for the images to be used by Stockholm University.
The university's consent forms must always be used and cannot be altered. The person ordering the image is responsible for archiving the consent form. Personal data must be easily searchable if a record extract is requested.
The forms can be filled out digitally, which facilitates handling if multiple prints are needed for photography at the same event.
Consent can also be managed entirely digitally if the requester cannot meet the signatory. Fully digital handling requires special procedures.
Procedures for digital management of consent forms via email
Information for those managing consent forms entirely digitally. Digital handling should be an exception.
Responsibilities of the consent form manager
Fill in the forms in advance.
Page 1:
- Tick editorial/marketing material (for widest use, preferably tick both).
- Fill in the period. Suggested 5/10 years.
- Fill in image description/image number (if possible).
Page 2:
- Complete everything on page 2.
- Save the form with a relevant name.
Send via email
Copy one of the following text templates depending on the consent and paste it into the email.
Attach the images the consent pertains to (if collected afterwards).
NOTE: Upon receiving the form and reply email:
- Verify the reply email is correct – it serves as a signature.
- Print the consent form and email, staple them together, and file.
Verify that the reply email is correct – the reply email serves as a signature.
The person receiving the signed form/email is responsible for printing the consent form and email, stapling them together, and storing them.
Questions?
For questions, contact visuellidentitet@su.se
Email templates
Consent for adults in English
We are contacting you because you [will participate/participated] in a photography session at Stockholm University [date and photo session XXX]. We need your written consent for Stockholm University to use the image/film in communication about the university’s activities.
According to the GDPR, we need your consent, which we obtain by you reading the terms in the attached consent form and:
- Complete the attached form [“xxxxxx.pdf”]. Fill it in digitally as a form and save it with the existing file name + your name.
- Attach the completed PDF in a reply email.
- In the reply email, paste the following text and fill in your and the image’s name: ["I, "name.name," consent to Stockholm University using my image/film in communication about its activities. I have read and agree to the terms."]
- Send to [xxxxx@su.se]
Best regards and thank you in advance! [Xxxxxx]
Consent for Children in English
We are contacting you because your child participated in a photography session at Stockholm University [date and photo session XXX]. We need your written consent for Stockholm University to use the image/film in communication about the university’s activities.
According to the GDPR, we need your consent, which we obtain by you reading the terms in the attached consent form and:
- Complete the attached form "Samtycke_pdf". Fill it in digitally as a form and save it with the existing file name + your name.
- Attach the completed PDF in a reply email.
- In the reply email, paste the following text and fill in your and the image’s name: ["I, "name.name," consent to Stockholm University using the image/film where my child appears in communication about its activities. I have read and agree to the terms."]
- Send to [xxxxx@su.se]
Best regards and thank you in advance! [Xxxxxx]