I've never been the type to ask for advice. On anything. I went to law school on a whim, never requiring any outside approval for if it was remotely close to a good idea (verdict is still out on whether it was or not). I rarely ask people if I look good in an outfit or how they like my hair - never occurs to me to do so. I make decisions quick, and I stick with those. I married a man two weeks into our relationship (verdict is not out on that - damn good idea).
So, I am slightly flustered and weirded out that ever since this nonprofit of mine received approval, I've been the most indecisive lady around - pouring over logos for hours, stressing over how a website should look - I can't make a solid decision to save my life. And, now I come to you - my dedicated public, with a request to be better at decision-making than I am. And also, to take the time out of your already busy day to help a sister out.
My beautiful, glowing, exquisite 501(c)(3) nonprofit is ROOT TO RISE INC. Here's the mission statement: "The mission of ROOT TO RISE INC is healing and empowering survivors of trauma through the practice of meditation, mindful awareness, and yoga. Practitioners learn to connect to the inner strength they possess and gain awareness of the present through the union of breath and physical postures. From this, they rise out of mental, emotional, and physical distress."
My main groups served will be prisoners, veterans, and children. I do not believe it ethical to take photographs of any of these people, and I am sticking by that assertion until someone has a decent argument to persuade me otherwise.
The problem: photographs make or break a website. Photographs show the human condition and evoke emotion in each of us. Photographs show healing. And, a website is a nonprofit's connection to the world. A website makes or breaks a nonprofit.
Stuck, I am.
I trained under James Fox of the Prison Yoga Project, and he has photos of his practitioners on their website. For the prison to allow this, a credible news outlet had to do a story on his work and take the photos. The prisoners all agreed to this and signed a release. What if those that I teach sign a waiver and agree to the photographs? What if they then get out, and a year later they regret the decision because of whatever circumstances have risen in their lives? What if a war veteran signs off on his or her photo being used, only to catch hell for doing something "sissy" like yoga, and they never return to class? I don't want to put anyone that is searching for help and healing in an uncomfortable place, ever. And, without question, I completely disagree with photographing children who have been through a traumatic situation. They are the cutest things around and so natural at yoga, but pics of these kids all over the place is just not ok.
Can you help me here? Can you give me some ideas for how to get around this?
I have letters from inmates that I plan on posting on the website (names removed, of course). I will have an ongoing blog on the site, and info on our Board of Directors, Officers, and how it all got started. There will be a link for how to donate and upcoming events, as well as links to similar nonprofits and collaboration ideas. Yeah...this is a bunch of words...and those things aren't as appealing as faces.
Any feedback is welcome here - disagree or agree with me - I wanna hear it. And, if you're someone who knows more about websites than me (that would be all of you), maybe let me know some alternatives that you've seen work. Please comment in the area reserved for it below.
I truly appreciate the help. You're all on my Christmas card list.
There's nothing wrong with stock (or staged) photos to get a site up rolling so you can start marketing your services - backfill with your waiver signed actual clientelle later. The purpose of your initial marketing push is to say "this is what I do, I do it well, and you should have me do it for you" ... the authenticity of the photos won't be questioned.
ReplyDeleteIn a pinch, just get me and Ira Dean some orange jumpsuits and we'll be prison models.
I appreciate it Ryin, but I'm against stock photos, too. I kind of want people to know where I stand morally on the photo thing, so I'll never have pictures of the students posted. I'm looking for more of an alternative to the photos of people (even though the authenticity of Ira and yourself in prison attire would never be questioned, either).
DeleteThanks for the comment, sir. Lemme know anything else you think up.
Hey Jones - I've got several people telling me stock photos are the way to go, and I just feel weird about that. Can you better explain to me why it's the way to go? I don't want to be questioned on what I'm doing...I'm a lawyer - I will always cover my ass.
DeleteI think you can pull off photos without showing faces. You are correct in that photos will help "solidify" your site and business. My thoughts are you either use photos of people who aren't in the program which wouldn't have as much appeal if it was obvious they weren't legitimate. My second thought is that you take the photos in a very artistic manner without showing faces. Show them doing posses and other elements and still not disclose their identity. I think if done correctly it could be very powerful and respectful at the same time. You could also try to focus on parts of the body that let people know they are in prison or the military, etc., like focus on any prison or military clothing they may be wearing. Take my thoughts however you'd like and let me know if you would like more input.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ginn! I thought about this as well. Much like myself, most of the inmates I teach are heavily tattooed, so some may be easy to identify that way. I also like Sarah's idea about silhouettes...I've gotta find out if DOC would go for something like that without me having a media outlet come in, because the media outlet would then have rights to the photos and I couldn't say how I want those designed...
DeleteThanks for putting this idea in my head again!
I thought of the tattoos as well but I still think there is a way around it. You can change the depth of field in the photo so that only certain parts are in focus or just do this in photoshop afterward. If you use photoshop you can manipulate any photo to be what you want at to be.
DeleteHere's another idea, you could do long exposures that if done correctly could show the different postures while still blurring out the participants. Here's an example of what I'm talking about but there would be less movement. http://photovide.com/long-exposure-photographs-dancers-bill-wadman/
DeleteTrue...I'll get on it.
DeleteThanks man!
That link is massively badass.
DeleteFirst off, I think it's really intelligent and thoughtful that you care about the people you are trying to empower enough to be concerned about this situation.. You are providing a kind of therapy, and I think implicit in that is a level of confidentiality.
ReplyDeleteAgree that stock photos are a great idea... and if you choose the right ones, they won't look cheesy or manufactured. Then again, you usually have to pay for these.
What about taking pictures of of your classes in such a way that it only shows their silhouette? You can do this with backlighting. Or taking the pictures during poses when their faces aren't exposed? Something like this http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/Yoga_Class_at_a_Gym3.JPG
Jafari, you're the tits. Thanks for your ideas. I'm just so anti stock photos...I can't really explain where that comes from, but it's there.
DeleteThe silhouette thing is a magnificent idea because it would take all identifying marks (tattoos, scars, etc) out of my worrisome mind. I'm gonna get with DOC on this possibility.
You rock, and I miss you.
My first thought was silhouettes, also. Seems like the best way! I admire your kindness and respect for them! They're blessed to have you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, lady! I appreciate the feedback big time!
DeleteI say pictures of you leading these people with you being the one "in focus" would be the way to go (for many reasons, such as you are gorgeous and awesome.)
ReplyDeleteBut, keep the focus on all the good that you do. Yes, pictures are a necessity, but the proof is in the pudding, sister. When you've got success stories to share, and I'm certain you will have boatloads of those, that is what people should care about and focus on. So, vague photos of you leading groups of people where the people are indiscernible might be your starting off point to attract people to your cause, but when the results start pouring in and you have people giving positive affirmations to everything that you do that will be the biggest "selling point" to your technique and work.
Also, maybe hold a free yoga session in a park or somewhere public and have a photographer on hand for that. For example, put something on Craigslist or forum where it would be seen by those who would be interested in such a thing saying that your non-profit is holding a free group session for anyone interested to come and do yoga to come out and join in. And at that time have literature about your cause available to anyone who would want to know more about you. That way it's not stock photos, it's you (and your non-profit) doing your awesome work.
Whatever you do, you're going to do it better than anyone else who could ever try to do it, so don't stop doing what you're doing, because you're doing it right. If I can do anything please let me know! Love you!
Absolutley GREAT ideas, my love. I hadn't thought about the focusing on me thing b/c I wasn't sure I wanted me in there - but you're right, if I'm gonna do pics, I need to be a part of some of those.
DeleteAnd the park thing is a great plan as well...nature makes for some fab lighting - and your plan of making it just a knowledge about the nonprofit event is genius.
Thank you thank you thank you!
Katy- so proud of this! Let me know if you need help with anything ever I'd love to be part of this cause. Sounds like your friends thought of everything and beyond what I thought of! Good luck and keep me updated on your progress!
ReplyDeleteThank you sweet Anne! I will definitely keep you posted.
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