Guest Post: Why Should I Hire a Professional Photographer for my Nonprofit Marketing? (Part 2)
Expert Advice on Finding the Right Visual Storyteller
Introduction
Please join us in welcoming our guest author, Naomi Liz for the second of our two-part series on photography for nonprofit fundraising and planned giving marketing campaigns. Naomi is a writer and photographer whose work focuses on nonprofit, humanitarian, travel, and nature projects. Passionate about helping non-profits communicate stories of hope and transformation, we couldn’t imagine a better person than Naomi to give advice about how to choose a photographer for your nonprofit organization’s marketing campaigns.
Why should we hire a professional photographer for our organization’s marketing materials?
In the last article, I shared about the importance of using compelling photographs for nonprofit fundraising. For those of you who are considering outsourcing this task, today I want to dive a little deeper with some tips on how to hire a professional photographer for your nonprofit marketing.
Key Benefits of Hiring a Pro:
- It ensures quality. Experienced photographers not only know the fundamentals of photography, they know how to capture great storytelling images in a variety of settings.
- It helps you communicate your nonprofit’s story instead of sharing snapshots. A skilled photographer shoots deliberately—she knows what the subject is, how she wants her viewers to feel, and where she wants their eyes to be drawn.
- It keeps the photography from becoming an afterthought. Hired photographers will work within an assigned deadline, which ensures your marketing doesn’t get pushed to the back burner.
- It helps you stay focused on your own strengths. Outsourcing tasks that aren’t your area of expertise helps you focus on what you do best.
What should we look for in a professional photographer?
- A photographer that connects with your mission and cares about helping you tell your story. Do they take time to get to know more about your organization and understand your goals?
- A photographer who has some level of experience. They should have at least some level of experience and a portfolio they can share with you. Remember that not all experience is equal. Someone that only photographs portraits may not have the expertise to capture an event. Look at their portfolio with your project idea in mind.
- Someone who offers the type of photography that you’re looking for. A photographer specializing in family portraits or weddings might not take on corporate or nonprofit clients. Look at their portfolios as well as their pricing or “work with me” page.
Think outside the box! There may be photographers in your area that specialize in nonprofit photography… Instead of Googling “city name” and “photographer,” try “nonprofit photographer in city name.”
Working with a professional photographer to help meet your nonprofit marketing needs offers many benefits! I hope these few tips help with some of your questions about working with a professional photographer.
Naomi Liz is a writer and photographer whose work focuses on nonprofit, travel, and nature projects. Follow Naomi on her Blog, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.