Project Description
Salish Kootenai College (SKC) invites qualified professional photographers to submit proposals for a one-day campus photography session. The purpose of this photoshoot is to create a high-quality library of images representing student life, academic engagement, campus environments, cultural promotion, and community activities.
SKC serves a diverse student population, including many non-traditional students, student parents, and multigenerational families pursuing higher education. Photography will authentically reflect the lived experiences of SKC students, along with the sense of community on campus that we strive to promote.
The goal of this project is to create images that highlight genuine moments of learning, connection, and community. Images will prioritize authentic interactions and real campus life, rather than staged or traditional institutional imagery.
Images produced through this project will support admissions and recruitment marketing, website imagery, general campus stock photography, and marketing and advertising initiatives.
SKC staff will coordinate locations, participants, and scheduling for the photoshoot.
Photography Style + Approach
SKC is seeking natural, documentary-style photography that reflects authentic student experiences and the unique community of the College.
Photographers will aim to capture genuine/realistic moments of connection, learning, and campus life. Images will feel welcoming, real, and reflective of lived experience.
Priority storytelling may include:
- Students balancing their education and family life
- Student parents or families present on campus
- Informal interactions between students, faculty, and staff
- Students in common spaces such as “Bison Hub,” D’Arcy McNickle Library, TRiO Lab, etc.
- Students studying together or collaborating
- Multigenerational learning and community presence
- Moments that reflect the cultural identity and values of SKC and the Tribal community
Images will prioritize people, relationships, and the experience of being a student at SKC.
Scope of Work
The selected photographer will conduct a one-day photoshoot on the SKC campus during May 2026. The photoshoot may include the following subjects:
- Student life and activities
- Students interacting in classroom settings
- Faculty teaching and engaging with students
- Students collaborating or studying in informal spaces
- Campus gathering areas (e.g., student areas, “Bison Hub,” D’Arcy McNickle Library, etc.)
- High-traffic areas for student support (e.g., Registrar, Admissions, TRiO, etc.)
- Student parents and families present on campus
- Laboratories and specialized facilities
- Athletics and recreational activities
- Cultural or community engagement activities
- Informal portraits of students and faculty
Note: Drone or aerial photography is not required for this project.
Participants
SKC will coordinate participation from students, faculty, and staff for the photoshoot.
Deliverables
The selected photographer will provide:
- 75–150 professionally edited images
- High-resolution JPG files suitable for print and digital use
- Mix of horizontal and vertical compositions
- Images delivered via secure online transfer or cloud delivery
Images will include standard professional editing, including:
- Color correction
- Cropping/framing adjustments
- Exposure and tone correction
- Minor retouching where appropriate
The college reserves the right to select multiple images from the shoot beyond the minimum number specified if the photographer provides additional usable images.
Usage Rights
Exclusive Usage Rights:
Salish Kootenai College shall be granted exclusive, perpetual, and unlimited usage rights to all final images. These rights include, but are not limited to, use across websites, marketing and recruitment materials, social media, advertising, and print publications.
The photographer retains copyright ownership but agrees not to license, sell, or otherwise distribute the images to any third party. The photographer may use the images solely for portfolio, self-promotional, and award submission purposes.
Project Timeline
Estimated schedule:
- Proposal Submission Deadline: Sunday, April 19th, 2026
- Vendor Selection: Thursday, April 30th, 2026
- Photography Session: May 2026 (exact date to be coordinated)
- Final Deliverables: Within one month after the photography session–preferable
Proposal Requirements
Proposals should include:
- Photographer or company name and contact information
- Link to portfolio or photography website demonstrating relevant work
- Including three (3) examples of photography specifically demonstrating experience capturing authentic living, documentary-style, or community-focused imagery
- Description of relevant photography experience
- Proposed cost for services, including:
- One-day photography session
- Editing and post-production
- Pricing for licensing options described above
- Estimated turnaround time for final deliverables
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on:
- Quality and style of portfolio
- Cost of services
- Ability to meet the project timeline
Submission Instructions
Proposals will be submitted electronically to:
procurement@skc.edu
Submission deadline: Sunday, April 19th, 2026
