The Benefits of a Photo Minister

2011 October 11

by Diocesan Staff

From the Field benefits each week from the gifts of photographers across the Diocese. Without their work at recording the events of their congregations, we would not be able to share the life of the Diocese in this weekly newsletter. Yet, some churches appear here frequently and others almost never. This is because the churches that appear in this newsletter have found someone willing to routinely photograph church events as a way to give back to their congregation. From Mills Fleming in Savannah and Noelle Raiford in Statesboro, to Kenn Hodge in Kingsland and Julius and Julia Ariail in Valdosta, many of these photographers also help us get photos of diocesan events.

The value of sharing photos
I can attest to the benefits of routinely sharing photos of events. In 2000, when we were founding King of Peace, Kingsland, we soon discovered the benefits of sharing event photos in the newsletter, in photo albums at the church and in our online scrapbook page. Time and again, someone would comment on the photos and how much fun the event they missed seemed. The next time an event was announced, the person was much more likely to attend. Also, first time visitors would report have looked around event photos to get a feel for the church. Routinely posting photos the same night as the event became a signature of King of Peace and folks would look for the photos online. This is easier than ever now that Google offers free space to put photos online. This is what we use for our diocesan photo album and what we recommend for congregations. As the Google album does the work of creating smaller versions for an album page, it is easy to get photos uploaded within 24 hours. As From the Field demonstrates week by week, posting pictures soon after the event adds an important element of immediacy.

While skill helps, willingness to take pictures matters perhaps more with today’s quality digital cameras. The person must also have sensitivity if they will photograph a liturgy as no church would want to turn its liturgy into a photo event (as some weddings can seem to become). But a photographer working from a balcony or the back of the church can sometimes get wonderful photos that share the liturgy without negatively impacting the worship experience.

Good, Better, Best
Good church photos capture smiling happy people at church events. These are easy to gather and shoot and show the people of the church enjoying the life of their congregation.

Better church photos also capture a key moment that really catches the viewers eye and makes him or her wish to be a part of the next event.

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The best church photos capture an irreplaceable moment in time preserving not just the look of an event, but the feeling of being part of the worshipping community.

Photos as Evangelism
If your church has been around that long, photos from 50 and 100 years ago are priceless treasures. You owe future generations that same gift. But beyond this historical concern, a photo minister willing to always bring her or his camera to church and to be able to keep up an ongoing visual record, can be a key piece in a strategy to use your church communications as an evangelism tool. Photos well taken and consistently shared are inviting to those looking for a church and can be used by the Holy Spirit to get someone over your threshold and into a meaningful encounter with God.