Photography on VA Campus

Because the School of Medicine campus on Garners Ferry Road is inside a federal facility, it must abide by Homeland Security regulations and must be HIPPA compliant because of the presence of patients.

If you would like to take exterior photographs of the grounds or buildings, you must first contact Priscilla Creamer in Voluntary Services at the VA (776-4000, ext 6780 or priscilla.creamer@va.gov). Creamer will take your information and notify the VA Police Department of clearance to take photos. Please allow a few days’ notice for proper arrangements.

If you don’t receive clearance, you risk having your camera confiscated as well as possible legal consequences.

Photos inside classrooms or labs require no such clearance. Wherever you take photos, however, you must ensure no patients are visible in your photographs.

If you have patients or clinical trial subjects who volunteer for photos, Sam Morton, director of publications and public relations, can provide you with a HIPPA-compliant photo release form that they must sign. If you have models or volunteers who are not patients and your photographs are intended for a website, publicity, marketing, or promotional purposes, it's recommended you have them sign a general photography or video release form. Morton can provide that form as well.

If you have any questions, please contact Morton at 733-3203. He also has a University-owned SLR digital camera you might be able to use or he can help secure the services of professional University or private photographers.