Ward Photographer

[mevans]

I was showing one sister how to use the online tools and the first thing she did with her new knowledge is delete her photo because she didn't like it. (The photo had been previously gathered during one of our ward photo-taking activities.)

[kirtkennedy]

If the person dosn't like the picture that the Ward Photographer posted you can suggest that they replace it with one they prefer rather than just delete. Of course it will have to be approved by an administrator before its published

[mprusse]

For consistency and clarity sake, having a ward photographer is the best option. We don't currently have one but I can attest that the pictures I've seen posted by members are not very helpful. Many are taking too far away from the subject or family pictures are posted as individuals & vice versa.

[mprusse]

Our ward just called a ward photographer today. We're anxious to get updated, consistent looking photos throughout the directory to help everyone learn all the new converts, move-ins, etc.

Those of you that have ward photographers, what are some ideas you can pass along that have helped make your job easier and member photos look consistent and up-to-date? Where are you taking photos? How are you scheduling families? What suggestions can you share about photo sizes and orientation? Who is uploading to the directory? How often do you retake photos of children and/or adults?

Any information would be greatly appreciated and help us not to reinvent the wheel. Thank you.

[mevans]

Our ward just called a ward photographer today. We're anxious to get updated, consistent looking photos throughout the directory to help everyone learn all the new converts, move-ins, etc.

Those of you that have ward photographers, what are some ideas you can pass along that have helped make your job easier and member photos look consistent and up-to-date? Where are you taking photos? How are you scheduling families? What suggestions can you share about photo sizes and orientation? Who is uploading to the directory? How often do you retake photos of children and/or adults?

Any information would be greatly appreciated and help us not to reinvent the wheel. Thank you.

At one time when I was a clerk, I was quite focused on getting pictures, although this time in the calling I'm finding I just don't have the time. However, here are some thoughts that might be helpful:

• When someone new moved into the ward, I tried to make getting a current picture part of the move-in process. I'd get their records, see if there was a picture, and take new ones, if needed. I found it much easier to get members to do this as part of getting their records than trying to get it later. This tip doesn't necessarily help someone who's only a photographer and not also a clerk, but the photographer could work with the clerk.
• Where? Our building has some rockwork on the front of the chapel and some nice plants in front. If the sun wasn't too bad, I could get some really great pictures in this area. Look around your building -inside and out- to see if there are good photo spots. Older church buildings may have more character; newer ones may be more sterile. If the person called happens to be into photography, he/she might have a nice portable backdrop that could be used, too.
• Photo Size/Orientation: Pay attention to what LCR does to your photo. A person gets an obligatory circle crop (they applied this after many people had photos messed up some good photos. The family picture might be a square or rectangle - I forget. Upload some pictures and play with them in the LCR cropping tool.
• My wife used to be Primary president and took pictures of all the children in the classes. We uploaded those.
• Be cognizant of individuals and families who may not be comfortable with their photos being taken or displayed and be familiar teaching members how they can control visibility. When people tell me their pictures taken taken, I ask forgiveness in advance if I forget and ask him again later. They've generally been pretty understanding. Don't make people feel like it's an obligation. I've found sometimes people are in nasty family situations, etc., and there may be good reasons they don't want a picture. One person did consent to a picture if it was set to "leadership only" view.
• Don't forget there's an option for a household photo. Don't just get individuals - get the family. And for single people, upload photos for both individual and household. They can be the same or different. The household photo is also quite helpful in part-member situations. There may be situations where only one spouse is a member, or maybe children are members and parents are not. The household photo is where you can capture everyone - including those who do not have church records.
• We've sometimes used tithing settlement and ward activities as an opportunity to get updated photos.
• Sometimes people already have photos they'd like to use. Yes, they can upload photos themselves (which need to be approved - make sure a clerk is paying attention to this). I've found the number of people who upload their own pictures is small. Sometimes they find it easier to send the photo to me and let me upload it. I don't know if it's still a problem, but at times, the church photo upload frequently failed and people gave up. If I had their photos, I'd try again another day until I was successful.
• Try to make sure their face can be seen in the photo. If they have sunglasses, or are outdoors and have transitions glasses, have them take them off. Also, make sure clothing is respectful and modest (so maybe don't take directory pictures at the ward beach party . If people have a mobile temple recommend, I believe the temple workers see the photo when they scan their recommend.

Those are a few things off the top of my head. Hopefully, there's something helpful.

[russellhltn]

Another tip: When photographing people look for bright open shade, not direct sun. You want a diffused light source, not a point light source.

[mdigi]

I'm one of those people who has never been a fan of having a photo associated with any of my online profiles.
Back when the church first introduced the photo capability for [LDS.org] accounts, someone in the ward was taking photos of each member before tithing settlement. I permitted the photo to be taken, but I thought it looked terrible having only the ugly burlap wall background behind me. I deleted it shortly after it was taken. I definitely agree that having a nice background is important.

These days, my wife has [seemingly] innumerable public photos and videos of me posted on every social media technology she uses so I've been cured from my lack of photo presence.

By rough analysis, I'd say most of the photos in our stake appear to be taken/submitted by the member. They look nice and add a touch of personalization.

A bigger task is reminding people to update their photos. It always makes me smile when members are reaching out for [eg. Ecclesiastical Endorsement] interviews and their photo was taken when they were in primary