Complete College Photo Library

Complete College America is developing an intentional and authentic photo library that captures students and real-life college experiences to enhance and transform higher education storytelling.  

Specifically, CCA will develop a deep catalog of photos that show actual learning and actual student experiences in higher education, similar to the EDUimages free library of K-12 photos by All4Ed. This resource of diverse and authentic photos will provide a library of images for users to advance the work of postsecondary success. The library of photos will be free and accessible for use by all across sectors using a Creative Commons license.  

CCA will make this collection the go-to place for authentic college student photos. 

Download the Complete College Photo Library one-pager.

The Problem 

The limited number of open source and affordable stock images are overused, posed, and do not adequately illustrate real students in real situations both inside and outside the classroom.  

And they don’t represent the experiences of students from historically excluded backgrounds, those attending community colleges, working students on commuter campuses, those returning to school as adults, students at rural colleges, or Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and more.

The Project 

CCA is looking for partner campuses to capture an initial bank of photos for the library. CCA will lead multi-day photo shoots at seven campuses across the country over the next year and a half. By participating, your campus will receive the following benefits: 

  • Participation in a project that makes a difference at the national level for higher education 
  • A showcase of your students, faculty, and staff as the authentic faces of higher education 
  • Photo collection of selected photos from your campus 
  • $1,000 stipend for campus liaison to coordinate and support photo shoots 
  • $500 for a student intern to support photo shoots 
We’re looking for the following types of campuses: We also want the following settings: We want to capture images of the following activities:
ANNHSIs Community colleges Active + classroom learning
AANAPISIs Commuter campuses Advising/coaching/orientation
HBCUs/HBCCs/PBCCs Metropolitan settings Commuting
HSIs Rural settings Campus resources/basic needs
TCUs/NANTIs Residential Campuses Faculty interactions
Adult learners Technical colleges Socializing with peers
CTE students Small campuses Student-staff interactions
Parents Universities Studying/tutoring
Veterans Work-based learning centers Workforce connections

The Application 

The priority deadline for the first round of photo shoots was October 12, but campuses are encouraged to still apply for future photo shoots.

Apply here to participate in a campus photo shoot.