Our Approach to Imagery
Express the Kindness of Jesus Through Humanitarian Aid
- Images of contact, gestures, and conversations between people in which kindness is visibly evident.
- Images of items being handed to or shared between people.
- Other opportunities or ideas that speak and show the kindness of Jesus.
Tough Places
- Images show how we reach into tough places, places where other agencies do not go.
- Scenes, buildings, themes, and transportation show the tough elements of the places where we work.
Example: Unto boxes on a rickety cart being pulled up a hill by a donkey
Relieve Suffering, Restore Dignity, Reveal Hope
- Images reflect the core of our mission statement.
- Images illustrate any part(s) of the mission statement
Three Programs
- Images illustrate any one of our three programs: Food and Agriculture, Clean Water, and Critical Aid.
Sequence
- It is important that our images tell a story.
- Present sequential images to show change in people or places — before, during, and after receiving aid.
Authentic Diversity
We strive to show diversity in our photos. The culture, gender, and age of the person(s) in the photo should be considered when choosing a photo for materials.
We discourage stock unless an image is needed that we have not already captured. Use stock photos primarily for blurred or transparent background images.
Dignity in Media
Eye-level photos are important. We do not shoot “down” on a person. That removes people’s dignity and humanity, making it seem they are lower than you, literally and figuratively! Take photos at eye level even if the person is on the ground. You’ll be amazed how much better the pictures will look too!
This picture captures a sad, hopeless image of this young girl eating beans. It conveys the feeling she is not as human as the photographer or those viewing the photo.
This picture captures the humanity of the woman — not because she’s smiling, but because the photo makes the viewer feel like they both are on the same level. This is how you dignify people through visual media.