Put your best photos forward
Photographs are a visual representation of the City and of Austin. As such, they should be professional, beautiful, compelling and representative of the diversity and unique character Austin offers. All photos should:
Give context
Photos should be related to the associated information and give the resident context. For example, use an image of a resident placing their Christmas tree on a curb for the “Recycle your Christmas Tree” service page.
Avoid adding photos just for the sake of having photos. Only add a photo when it provides context and helps the reader with comprehension. Otherwise, the photo only serves as clutter.
Be genuine and people-oriented
- Photos should evoke warmth, be inclusive, and be diverse.
- Photos should be real and genuine. Do not use stock photos, models or over-posed/staged photos.
- Photos should show action and have a human presence.
- Photos should be a detail or up-close shot of the subject or up to a distance of 15’ maximum to streamline scale.
Be high quality
- Photos should be crisp and high quality.
- Avoid blurring or using filters.
A photo of Austin's skyline, but blurred.
- Do not use photos that are stretched or shrunk.
A photo of Austin's skyline, but stretched.
Available for use
- While photos should be people-oriented, avoid photos with identifiable faces, unless a photo release has been obtained by the person captured. Otherwise, if taking pictures of the public, try to capture photos of hands, backs of heads, etc.
- Avoid photographing logos and other copyrighted materials.
- Do not use photos you have not taken yourself without explicit permission. photos can’t be taken from Google or any other website without the photographer’s permission, as this is copyright infringement.
- Also, many photographers require attribution listed wherever the photo is located. Attribution would be: “Image source: Jack Austin Photography” Here’s an example:
Last modified 1yr ago