Is a picture really worth a thousand words?

Is a picture really worth a thousand words?  Only if it’s a good picture!

Bad pictures are used way too often by nonprofit folks who are trying to tell a story in a visual format.  I sat in on a webinar today led by Kivi LeRoux Miller and Claire Meyerhoff that focused on getting and using great photos.  Here are a few points I want to share with you.

Great photos tell a story.  To tell a story, you need some detail and some interesting action in the photo.  A picture of a group of volunteers lined up against the wall conveys nearly nothing.  But a photo of the same group bagging groceries for your food pantry tells much more.

Get the close up.  Make sure to get close enough with your photo that the viewer can see the subject’s faces.  This is essential if you’re using photos in a fundraising appeal.  The reader must be able to see and connect with the person’s eyes in the photo.

Look for ways to repurpose your photos.  There are lots of things you can do with good photos besides plop them in your newsletter or annual report. You can put them on your website or Facebook, you can frame them and display them in your office, or you can turn them into simple notecards you can use to thank donors. 

I sat with a client today who had created a very powerful video using a combination of still photos, video, and audio.  She’s planning on using it for an anniversary celebration this week but after I saw it (and shed a few tears!) we talked about what else she could do with it.  She’s planning to burn it to CDs and let event guests take it with them to share with others.

If you’re looking for additional learning opportunities, I recommend you check out Kivi’s website at www.nonprofitmarketingguide.com.