LSU Profiles | LSU Photographers

Chronicling University Life through Images

Zietz photo If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the nine full-time photographers of LSU could fill volumes.

The talented and creative LSU photographers are responsible for capturing the heart and soul of one of the most beautiful and exciting universities in the country. Whether it is an artistic picture of the LSU campus, a photograph for a research project, or a frozen moment during an electrically charged athletic event, chronicling the life and activities of a large research university is an honor and a privilege that these photographers take very seriously.

All agree that one of the most interesting developments over the course of their careers as photographers has been the crossover from film to digital. Instead of waiting a day or two to see a print, these photographers can shoot, edit, and tweak an image in a matter of minutes.

Spend a moment getting to know these artists and view a small collection of their work as LSU photographers.

Mark Claesgens
LSU AgCenter
Employed by LSU: 13 years
This Minnesota transplant was a photographer at LSU’s sister land-grant institutions of Washington State University and Texas A&M before joining the LSU AgCenter. He especially enjoys opportunities to combine his cooking hobby with his profession to create food photographs for the monthly consumer news packet he produces for the LSU AgCenter.

Harry Cowgill
LSU School of Veterinary Medicine
Employed by LSU:25 years
This U.S. Army veteran has had quite a bit of close contact with LSU’s beloved mascot, Mike the Tiger. Since Mike V was raised by the caring folks from the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, Cowgill was able to photograph and chronicle the Royal Bengal tiger’s life from infancy. Cowgill and his family enjoy sailing and recently rebuilt a Catalina 27 sailboat.

Kevin Duffy
Centers for Excellence in Learning and Teaching
Employed by LSU: 15 years
Duffy’s favorite aspect of his job is the opportunity to see what faculty and students are studying and researching. Just about every area of campus makes its way through his lab at some point in the research process. Outside of the darkroom, Duffy, a native of Baton Rouge, is an avid soccer player of 27 years.

Steve Franz
LSU Athletic Department
Employed by LSU: 5 years
Franz is an LSU alumnus who had a variety of photo assignments before returning to LSU. His photography has been published in several national magazines, including Sports Illustrated and The Sporting News.

Mark Kleiner
Centers for Excellence in Learning and Teaching
Employed by LSU: 16 years
This Baton Rouge native and LSU alumnus enjoys helping his clients with their photography problems and often slips in a few photo tips at the same time. Kleiner has enjoyed observing the physical changes of the LSU campus as well as witnessing how clothes and people’s attitudes seem to repeat over time.

Kerry Lyle
Coastal Studies Institute
Employed by LSU: 30 years
Lyle, once a student photographer for the Gumbo, LSU’s yearbook, is involved in the technical aspect of photography, working with various campus departments including geology and geography. By far, Lyle’s most challenging work as an LSU photographer is his involvement with LSU’s FACES Lab, which uses the study of forensic anthropology to help law enforcement agencies with criminal investigations.

Prather Warren
Office of University Relations
Employed by LSU: 21 years
This Texas native said he enjoys the variety of tasks to which he is assigned as an LSU photographer. As one of the main photographers of the campus, Warren has been fortunate enough to photograph five U.S. presidents and many other important visiting dignitaries.

John Wozniak
LSU AgCenter
Employed by LSU: 21 years
Wozniak’s most memorable moments as an LSU photographer include being tackled on the sidelines of an LSU football game, getting attacked by an ostrich while shooting a magazine cover, and being covered in sewage sludge by a manure spreader in a sugarcane field.

Jim Zietz
University Relations
Employed by LSU: 22 years
Zietz, one of LSU’s official campus photographers, is a Baton Rouge native and alumnus of LSU. He enjoys meeting a variety of faculty members who at times share with him the interesting aspects of their research. His photography has been used in many print and video documentaries of LSU and on many of LSU’s official publications. Zietz spends his free time working on his own personal photography work.

Written by Robin Dunkin | University Relations
Last updated January 2003

About LSU Highlights | LSU Highlights Index | Archived LSU Highlights

Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Internet 2 University Member