Displaying loader icon image
Displaying masthead oval background image

Marketing Tips

Photography tips for charities

Photography tips for charities

A great photo can help tell your charity’s story and can often convey much more than words! 

Here are a few tips that will help you deliver compelling photographs for your charity:

1. Make sure you get consent from people if you take photos of them. Anyone in the photo must understand how the images will be used.

You can let people know by:

  • An announcement
  • Verbally speaking to individuals
  • Displaying notices
  • A written consent form

If you are sending the photos to KCF then the ‘model’ must be made aware that their photo may be shared and used by Kent Community Foundation.

Read here for advice from NSPCC on consent for minors.

2. Add a human element - although your new facility is beautiful or your products look great, a photo of an inanimate object will never pull at somebody’s heartstrings so get your members/service users/clients in the photo.

3. You don’t need high-tech equipment. Camera phones are fine to use, just remember:

  • Hold them still to ensure they are in focus and not blurry
  • Ensure you have enough light
  • Don’t use effects on your phone

4. Get close to your ‘subject’ to see their facial expressions. Don’t use the zoom which will decrease the quality.

5. Staged photos are fine for some occasions like awards ceremonies but capturing your service users in action and taking part in activities will increase the user's emotional engagement. Show real people in real situations to demonstrate the impact your work has. Don't be afraid of action shots - they capture the moment and convey energy that feels genuine and trustworthy.

6. World-class photographers take many, many photos before they get the perfect shot so snap away and take multiple shots of the same things so that you can make choices later.

7. When sending your photos to KCF:

  • Provide them to KCF as a high-resolution photo – above 1MB
  • Supply photos as high quality .JPGs, .PNGs or .TIFFs
  • Send via email, through wetransfer, Dropbox or on a USB which is posted in

MASSIVE 'thank you ' to everyone at Kent Community Foundation. Your funding support is HUGELY appreciated and has enabled us to get into the heart of local communities with REAL, affordable, healthy and tasty food that does so much more than feed people.

Community chef Mike Spackman, Sheppey Matters

KCF's enthusiasm for what we are doing and hoping to do, coupled with helpful advice, gave us the confidence to take this daunting step which has paid off.

Liz Turner, Octopus Foundation

It's great having a foundation that empowers organisations and charities in our community to make real positive differences and changes!

Tom, MMK Mind