How to Take Better Photos for your School w/ Matt Stamey

Most higher ed teams don’t have a full-time photographer. But they still need content that performs. In this episode of the Education Marketing Leader podcast, I sat down with Matt Stamey, photographer at Santa Fe College, to break down what makes a great photo. A few takeaways from the episode: • A “good” photo isn’t about quality. It’s about reaction. If it makes someone stop scrolling, it’s working. • Moments beat perfection. A real laugh or handshake will outperform a polished group shot every time. • Most people rush. The difference is patience. Observe first, then shoot.• Your iPhone is enough. If you understand light, angles, and timing, you can compete. • The best photos are guided, not staged. Capture what’s real, then adjust the environment to make it stronger. This is one of those conversations that makes you rethink how much content your team is leaving on the table. If you’re in higher ed marketing, you don’t need more gear. You need better instincts. Follow for more conversations with the people actually doing the work in higher ed marketing.