System Owner: Jonathan & Sheila Morales

Purpose/Scope:  The purpose of the Photography System for theCrossroads is to capture the essence of our services and events, and especially the highlights of our people. They can then be used in many different ways to remember, and promote the goodness of God.

Procedure:
Services
1. Work with Social Media System to determine what is needed weekly.
2. Can be tasked by teams to capture certain areas of activity that would help them promote their teams and systems.
3. Capture a good record of all the important moments at theCrossroads weekly – so that we can share them.
4. Will make sure to take and preserve the digital picture and video files. (See Media Upload Page). "pictures"
5. Getting the pictures to the places they need to go by Sunday Evening each week will be important.
6. Making prints of first time guest pictures as needed.
7. Constantly be thinking of ways to improve the way we capture things at theCrossroads.

We want to capture pictures of people doing things, interacting, worshipping, serving, etc… that would really show what we are all about throughout our time together. Know the service schedule and what to expect – so we can be prepared to capture those moments…always take pictures of baptisms, certificates being received and any special attention points throughout the day. Since we are taking pictures to remember/promote…keep a few things in mind.

• First and foremost, think to yourself – would I want my picture to be posted publicly if I looked like the people I am capturing in my photos.
• Make sure that everyone is decent and appropriate (no modesty issues of revealing things that people wouldn’t want revealed on purpose in public). Try not to post pictures of people that could make them feel humiliated in any way.

Tips for great photos 

• Zoom in or move close. When you see a photo opportunity, move closer to capture the best shot. Moving closer highlights the subject matter of your photo and eliminates distracting elements. It also reveals the details of the scene that can be more interesting than a wide-angled overview. 
• Seek variety. Professional photographers recommend contrasting tight shots of people’s faces with other images that give your audience a feel for the overall size of the event. The contrast of close-ups and wide shots will communicate the tone and emotion of the event, as well as its impact in the community. 
• Catch people in action. Photographing people at work makes your photographs more interesting and lively. In these action shots, people’s expressions will appear authentic and natural, eliminating the stiff poses and forced smiles often found in posed portraits. To do this, you might have to stand in a less conspicuous place and zoom in.
• Keep it simple. Frame your photos using a simple background that helps focus the viewer’s eyes on the subject matter. Use this technique to create a crisper, sharper photo. As you compose your photo, move around your subject to find the simplest background. Take a practice shot if you can, and make adjustments to reduce background chaos. If your camera allows, you can adjust the aperture or f-stops to bring the background into or out of focus. Unless the background is of interest, it may be best to leave it blurred so your subject stands out even more.
• Be dynamic.  Make your composition more captivating and attractive to the viewer. Place your subject matter off-center, photograph people from above or below, and play with perspective.
• Be sensitive to personal requests. Some people may appreciate shots taken higher up to avoid seeing their neck, for example. (During Church service – always be appropriate…don’t do things that would make you stand out or draw attention if at all possible). 
• Try different formats. Photograph the same scene horizontally and vertically. Changing your camera from the horizontal to the vertical position depicts the same scene with a fresh perspective.
• Provide clear directions. It’s easier if you use the terms “your right” or “your left.” It may take a minute to get the hang of it, but it will make things easier for everyone. Most people don’t like the photographer to physically move them to their spot, so it’s best to provide clear directions like, “take a half step to your right.” 
• Have fun. When photographing events, keep a smile on your face and engage people in lighthearted conversation.
• Try not to be intrusive, but add to the fun and excitement of the day. Creating a rapport with subjects helps them relax and makes the photos more authentic. 
• Be Open. Get input from people about what type of photos are inspiring them. Look for cool shots that you might be able to take by looking at other church and event photos.