New photo studio at the library offers picture-perfect setting for students, employees, and patrons

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Cheese!

Increasing the accessibility of professional, high-quality photography, Mississippi State students now have the advantage of utilizing the new photography studio at the MaxxSouth Digital Media Center within MSU Libraries.

Situated centrally on campus, within Mitchell Memorial Library, the recently unveiled photo studio is open for use by MSU students, faculty, staff, and members of the community at no cost.

As per Stephen Cunetto, the Associate Dean for Community Relations and Strategic Initiatives at MSU Libraries, the photo studio was established through a collaborative effort with the MSU Office of Public Affairs to cater to the demand for professional headshots and photographs within the MSU community, highlighting the significance of funding and expertise from OPA in realizing this project.

“The inception of the idea was through former OPA photographer Megan Bean, who is currently the copyright and information policy specialist for MSU Libraries. Recognizing the increasing demand for such services, she identified the library’s centralized location as an ideal fit,” Cunetto mentioned.

Working alongside Bean, photographer Beth Wynn, and OPA Senior Associate Director Harriet Laird, Cunetto and his team not only secured funding and a suitable location but also established a set of guidelines and tips for users, with the photo studio’s availability aligning with the operating hours of the Digital Media Center.

“By focusing on the university’s strategic goal of ‘serving the whole student,’ we aimed to provide a space where students can swiftly obtain professional self-portraits, enhancing their pursuit of objectives,” Laird expressed. “The necessity for such a service—be it for academic projects, resumes, or job applications—is increasingly pivotal for students, and our collaboration with MSU Libraries has successfully fulfilled this need.”

Highlighting the studio’s features, Thomas La Foe, the Technology and Innovation Director at MSU Libraries, emphasized on the provision of three distinct backdrops—black, white, and green—along with quality lighting, a phone stand, instructions, and valuable tips, enabling students to capture quality photos with minimal support.

“Our goal was to establish a setting where students can effortlessly obtain professional-grade photos with minimal guidance,” La Foe stated.

For additional details, please visit: https://www.library.msstate.edu/maxxsouth-digital-media-center/photography-studio/