It’s terribly cliché to say that a picture is worth a thousand words, but it’s true: A picture really is worth a thousand words. In a world where people are increasingly consuming mountains of information based on visual media, good photography can stop someone in their tracks, and make them eager to learn more about what they have just seen.
Organizations and businesses, like yourself, are no exception to this rule. Photography can be a powerful communications tool, and posting it on social media and website can garner attention to your product or cause. Good photos can create a visceral emotional connection that mere words might not. Your website should be full of good photos, and your social media accounts should as well.
Of course, you probably don’t have a professional photographer on staff. However, you can hire one to shoot certain individuals or events. Given how advanced smartphone cameras have become, someone on your staff with a good eye can document other things on a daily basis.
What are some subjects you can shoot? Glad you asked:
Events
This one goes without saying. You should always have someone assigned to taking photos of your big events.
People you’ve helped or partnered with
It’s very compelling for potential and current customers or donors to see the faces of the people their money has or could help. Caption these photos, or build blog posts, with information about the person, and what you’ve done for them. In other words, tell their story. If possible, get photos of these people smiling! 🙂
People who are helping
Give some love to volunteering done by sharing photos of them doing good work. If possible, tag their social profiles to encourage them to share your photo(s).
Your staff
In order to humanize your nonprofit, it’s helpful to show your audience who is working behind the scenes to make everything go. Post a photo of one of your staffers occasionally; you can fill out the caption with information about that person and their role, along with any personal or professional information that he or she would like to share.
There are many other subjects you can photograph; it’s up to your imagination. If something happens that you feel should be commemorated and shared, always have the camera ready. Good photos can create visceral, human connections that mere words can’t.
Liked what you read? Subscribe to our blog!