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.

A student gets a flat tire on the way to class.

No savings. No backup plan.

That could be the end of their education.

This episode with Erica Marye, System Director of Digital Marketing, Kentucky Community and Technical College System, is part of the Education Marketing Leader Community College Month Series.

She leads digital strategy across 16 colleges at the Kentucky Community and Technical College System.

A few takeaways:

• You can’t market everything. Prioritize what matters

• Centralization should support campuses. Not control them

• Small teams are marketing 30 to 60 programs at once

• The biggest barrier to enrollment isn’t another school. It’s real life

That’s the mission.

Listen now.

Community colleges don’t always get the spotlight. But they change lives every day.

To kick off our Community College Month series, I sat down with Wallace Caleb Bates, Director of Marketing and Communications at Hazard Community and Technical College and 2026 NCMPR National Rising Star.

Wallace’s story comes full circle.

He started as a student at HCTC and returned just a few years later to lead marketing and communications.

He shared that walking into the president’s office on his first day felt surreal, asking himself, “Am I really here?” after being a student not long before.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Going from community college student to leadership

• Returning home to serve the institution that shaped him

• Challenging the stigma that community college is a “second choice”

• Marketing in a rural community built on relationships and trust

• Building visibility through storytelling and community engagement

• Why empathy matters as much as analytics in marketing

• The growing impact of community colleges across the country

Wallace also shared an important reminder: Many students intentionally choose community colleges for affordability, opportunity, and staying connected to their communities.

This conversation sets the tone for our Community College Month series.

Listen now.