A picture can tell a thousand words… Taking good photos can speak volumes about the work you do and bring your project to life. Photos of a project in progress, people engaging with your service and smiling after a positive experience can bring so much value. Here are a few snappy tips to make the most of those photo opportunities.

Tell your story
What images will tell your organisation’s story and make it shine? Think about images that will showcase what you do and trigger emotions in the viewer. Take a moment to think about any opportunities over the next six months and include photography into your plan. Often photography is an afterthought when it is too late to capture those unique moments.

Act natural
Images needn’t be posed, ‘set-up’ or Instagram perfect – in fact, documentary-style photography can be very powerful. Take detailed shots of people in action. You’re more likely to get a natural emotional connection with your audience.

Document your work
Remember to take lots of photographs as projects develop. If you have an event coming up, designate responsibility to someone in your team who has a natural flair for taking photos. These will prove to be valuable as a resource in future, whether you are including them in a report, on your website or posting on social media. Genuine photos showing real impact and engagement of your project will be so much more powerful for your case than any stock images found on the internet.

The kit
You don’t necessarily need a fancy camera to get good photos – a smart phone will often do the job. Just ensure that you get bright, clear images that are in focus.

Getting the right shot
Website images, social media and reports will […]

This week Facebook and Twitter feeds have been filled with people raising mugs in #solidaritea with Helen in The Archers. The court room climax of the domestic abuse storyline has gripped listeners of the soap and captured the nation’s imagination.

The storyline, which has been building over many months, has revealed the psychological grip of emotional abuse, as Helen struggled under Rob’s increasing controlling behaviour. The storyline was devised in association with domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid and shines a light on the issues faced by many people experiencing domestic abuse. The slow build up has helped shake off many common assumptions and judgements made about people experiencing domestic abuse, as listeners were able to put themselves in Helen’s shoes.

What’s remarkable is how this increased understanding has manifested itself on social media, breaking down the taboos around domestic abuse. By taking a quick selfie with a cuppa on social media and using the hashtag #solidaritea, you are joining an army of Helen supporters and reaching out in support of women like Helen in real life.

It’s not just raising awareness via social media either. An avid listener launched a JustGiving campaign in February 2016 in support of Refuge, a charity helping real-life Helens, which has so-far raised £169,000 and still counting. It’s a powerful message. Unlocking empathy via a radio drama has prompted a huge surge in awareness and support for domestic abuse charities.

But is this #FreeHelen viral campaign a one-off? Are there lessons here that charities can learn and apply to their cause? Awareness around ‘issues’ have been raised in dramas and soaps before, such as AIDS awareness, addiction etc, but these haven’t been harnessed effectively with a social media and fundraising campaigns. The slow-burn of the […]