Campus Spirit: How Photography Can Capture Moments of Connection

Prospective students can decide quickly whether a campus feels right for them.
Frank Delaney and Lien Do of Paskill join Douglas Benedict of Academic Image to explore how authentic, emotionally grounded photography shapes that first impression, builds trust, and helps institutions stand out in a crowded enrollment landscape.

Together, they discuss what authenticity really means in enrollment marketing and how campuses can move beyond staged visuals to tell honest stories about place, people, and culture. From planning smarter photo shoots to understanding student visual literacy, this conversation breaks down what works now and what truly resonates with prospective students.

What you’ll learn

• Authenticity matters more than ever. Students can spot staged or misleading imagery instantly.
• Sense of place drives connection. Campus photography should feel unmistakably unique to your institution.
• Emotion builds belonging. Images that capture real moments help students see themselves on campus.
• Plan with intention. Start with enrollment and program priorities before the camera ever comes out.
• Quality over quantity. A focused set of meaningful images outperforms large libraries of generic shots.
• Respect and consent are essential. Trust and comfort lead to more genuine student engagement.
• Leave room for the unexpected. Some of the strongest images come from unplanned moments.
• Minimal editing wins. Overuse of Photoshop or AI can erode credibility with today’s visually savvy students.
• Collaboration fuels success. Enrollment teams, creatives, photographers, and students all shape the story.