Photography

Our photography style

Photography helps us tell our story. With documentary-style authenticity, our imagery showcases our hands-on confidence. It feels candid and effortless, embracing a sense of place – be it our classrooms, industries or city.

We embrace natural light, focus on our subject matter with a shallow depth of field or showcase our amazing facilities with great detail. We’re connected, and our photography emphasizes that. We show how people interact and support one another – whether shot in environments or in a studio.

Brand filters

When taking or selecting photos, keeps these descriptors in mind.

Authentic
Confident
Deep thought
Future forward
Vibrant
Friendly
Conversational 

Cinematic
Candid
Shallow focus
Interesting angles
Movement
Cool or neutral tones
Natural light

Interior

Classroom-focused

Photography is one of our strongest tools to show audiences the real, collaborative energy that’s alive in our classrooms. Look for well-lit spaces, capture candid action or conversations and place students and faculty within their proper context.

Interaction and hands-on learning

What’s more SAIT than hands-on learning? Our community is engaged and inventive – we want our photos to reflect this. Photos should highlight the real-world experiences of students and faculty. They shouldn’t feel forced or staged. Be sure to draw awareness to the setting – our labs and living classrooms are part of the action!

Exterior

Campus architecture

Memories and connections are associated with a sense of place. Establishing photos of SAIT’s buildings and campuses evokes associations of our past, present and future, ultimately setting the stage for us to tell our story. Try to capture wide shots, use natural lighting and find unexpected framing!

People-focused

People-focused images give our audience the opportunity to see what it’s like to be a part of SAIT. Make sure the people in the photo are the center of attention and reflective of SAIT’s diverse community. They should be well lit and placed within the context of our campus and buildings.

City and mountains

Calgary’s diverse communities, vibrant arts and culture scene and easy access to the Canadian Rockies make it an awesome place to live, learn and play. Our photography should capture the energy and movement of our city. Bring out the human side of the city by capturing smaller, more personal moments. Use skyline photos to provide broader context and street photos for key details. Don’t forget to capture movement.

Portraits

In the real-world or studio

When taking portraits of students, faculty or other members of SAIT’s community, ensure they are relaxed and lit naturally so that their personality stands out. Pick locations that add context and bring your subject to life, such as a campus lab, out in the field or with a view of downtown Calgary in the background. Taking photos in a studio can be an effective way to focus on our subjects. 

Photography principles

Here are some quick dos and don'ts when taking or choosing photos for SAIT-branded materials.

DO: Photograph real people in the classroom or their place of work. Capture confidence – moments of feeling empowered, self-assured.

DO: Choose photos with real SAIT students in real SAIT spaces. Emphasize people interacting with each other and highlight SAIT’s inclusive community.

DO: Show people in deep focus working on their craft. Use a shallow depth of field to bring focus and allow for type overlay. Integrate SAIT colours where possible with props, clothing or backdrop options.

DON'T: Select stock photography over our authentic photo library. Choose to photograph people smiling at the camera only when the story is directly related to that individual and referred to by name.

DON'T: Take photographs or choose stock photography where everyone is looking at the camera and smiling or obviously posed.

DON'T: Select photos that are heavily cliched and too broad in their meaning. Not every designed piece needs photography.