Use business mindset strategies to become an even more effective, joyful, and respected volunteer conservation photographer with your favorite local organizations.
Benefits of volunteering as a conservation photographer
Are you eager to dive into the world of conservation photography, gain valuable experience, and make a difference?
Volunteering is an excellent way to do just that!
But before you jump in headfirst, it’s essential to approach your volunteer work with a business mindset.
This will not only protect your interests and the value of your work but also ensure that both you and the organizations you partner with are set up for success.
Volunteering offers numerous benefits, especially for those just starting in conservation photography.
It provides opportunities to:
- practice storytelling
- hone your photography skills
- build a portfolio
- make essential connections
In my own experience as a volunteer, as well as observing other conservation photographers, a business-oriented approach to volunteering can lead to paid opportunities.
This could happen either directly through the organization you volunteered for or via recommendations and collaborations they connect you with.
However, it’s crucial to have open conversations and set clear expectations and boundaries with the organization you’re volunteering for.
By treating your volunteer work with a business mindset, you can avoid potential pitfalls such as organizations taking advantage of your time or using your images without proper licensing agreements.
This approach helps maintain the integrity of your work, as well as conservation photography as a respected field where professionalism matters.
So, let’s embrace the power of volunteering while being mindful of its potential challenges. By doing so, you’ll not only contribute to conservation efforts but also create a solid foundation for your own growth and success in this rewarding field.
I have seven business-minded tips to help you make the most of your conservation photography volunteer efforts, ensuring benefits for you, the organization, and the cause.
7 Business strategies to use when volunteering
1. Have open conversations from the beginning
I understand that approaching a new organization for volunteering might feel intimidating, and you may be hesitant to ask questions or express your ideas. However, remember that you’re managing a business (or a business-like hobby!), and it’s crucial to enter any meeting knowing what you’d like to offer and gain.
Before approaching an organization, consider the type of imagery you want to provide – whether it’s covering events, documenting field work, creating branding images, or photographing their work as part of a story idea. Get clear on what you are and aren’t willing to do as a volunteer.
When you initiate the conversation, come prepared to listen first, then present ideas that fall within the scope of volunteer work you’d like to do.
So, rather than simply stating you’re a photographer looking to help, instead ask what their needs are, and listen carefully to their responses. Then map out ways you can help, and present those ideas in a professional manner.
This sets a tone of openness and trust, which is essential for a successful collaboration.
Remember, being clear and transparent is kind, while being vague is unkind. Being upfront about your intentions and expectations allows both parties to understand each other’s needs and build a solid foundation for future cooperation.
So, don’t be afraid to express your thoughts and establish trust from the very beginning.
2. Set your boundaries
Consider the boundaries you’d like to establish when volunteering your time and skills. Ask yourself:
- How many hours per week or month do you want to dedicate to volunteering as a photographer?
- What kind of services will you provide, and which ones will you not offer as a volunteer?
For example, you may be interested in photographing an organization’s fieldwork but not their events. Be clear about the types of photography you’re willing to do and those you’d prefer to avoid.
Additionally, think about how you’d like the organization to use the media assets you provide. Determine what you’re comfortable with, such as:
- Are you okay with them using your images on their website, but not on social media?
- Are you fine with social media usage, but not third-party distribution to media outlets?
By setting boundaries and communicating them openly, you establish trust with the organization, ensuring that everyone’s expectations are understood and met. This transparency helps avoid unpleasant surprises and fosters a strong collaboration where both parties benefit.
Remember, being clear is kind, while being vague is unkind. Open dialogue allows you and the organization to navigate expectations together, creating a successful volunteer experience for all involved.
3. Communicate the mutual benefit to the organization
Adopting a business mindset when volunteering means understanding that both parties should benefit from the collaboration.
By clearly showing how your services provide value to the organization, you ensure that they appreciate your work and don’t take advantage of you.
To communicate mutual benefit, first, explain how your photography will benefit the organization.
For example, if you want to document fieldwork, describe how the images can enhance their social media engagement, impress funders in an annual report, or support their grant applications.
This demonstrates that you’re genuinely trying to help them and not just using them for your portfolio.
Second, if the organization asks you for additional tasks, discuss what you would like in return.
For instance, if they want you to photograph a fundraising event, request a licensing agreement that includes photo credits, social media tags, and model releases for workers involved in the activities. While there might not be monetary compensation, these non-monetary benefits can still hold great value.
Being clear about the benefits for both parties creates a healthy give-and-take relationship where everyone is aware of their responsibilities and boundaries.
This approach ensures a successful, mutually beneficial collaboration where no one feels taken advantage of.
4. Implement licensing agreements
As the saying goes, “good fences make good neighbors.” The same applies to licensing agreements for donated images. These agreements provide clarity on how images can or cannot be used, protecting both parties.
Having a licensing agreement in place is vital, even for donated images. If an organization uses your images in a way you didn’t agree to, you have written documentation to address the issue in a friendly manner.
I’ve personally experienced the benefits of having a licensing agreement with an organization I volunteered for. They respected the agreement and always checked with me about image usage requests, leading to paid licensing opportunities and donations for them.
Clear parameters in writing ensure mutual benefit and protect your rights as a photographer.
Moreover, having a licensing agreement in place can help you revoke image usage if you decide to sever ties with the organization.
So, even when donating images, always have a licensing agreement in place. This ensures clear boundaries and provides guidance on next steps if any issues arise.
Remember, licensing agreements are essential, but they’re not the only paperwork to consider.
5. Obtain model releases
Model releases are crucial if you plan to use your images for non-editorial purposes, such as selling or licensing them for commercial use, entering contests, or submitting to stock agencies. Additionally, model releases are beneficial for the organization, as they might need them for fundraising or promotional purposes.
By obtaining signed model releases, you’re helping everyone involved, even when volunteering and providing a portfolio to the organization. You never know how you’ll want to use those images in the future, so having model releases is a smart way to protect yourself.
Although managing model releases may seem daunting, there’s a handy app called Easy Release that can simplify the process. With this app, you can generate model releases, property releases, and other paperwork on your phone or tablet. People can sign directly on your device, and you can email copies to yourself and them. This eliminates the need for physical paperwork and ensures you always have your releases organized and ready to go.
6. Don’t be afraid to walk away
In business, they say “hire slow and fire fast,” and that’s true for volunteering too.
If you feel the collaboration isn’t working – whether it’s not enjoyable, the organization doesn’t value your efforts, or you’ve outgrown the partnership – it’s okay to part ways amicably.
In fact, it’s better for everyone if you don’t let the relationship wither and become awkward.
7. Don’t be afraid to ask for paid work
If everything is going well and everyone is happy, don’t hesitate to ask for paid work when the opportunity arises.
If you see a chance to provide something special to the organization, like creating a promotional video, pitch it to them along with a budget. You can suggest hiring you for the project or applying for a grant together to cover the costs.
If the organization proposes a project that you’re excited about but goes beyond your volunteer boundaries, don’t be afraid to discuss payment. A strong relationship with the organization should allow for open conversations about scope and budget.
By being clear about your boundaries and expectations, you create an environment where both parties can thrive and grow.
Conservation photography offers an opportunity to give back and be a part of something larger than ourselves. When done in the right way, it can lead to a fulfilling experience that benefits both you and the organization.
It’s essential to take time leading up to your volunteer efforts to get clear on what you need from the experience and how expectations can be met on both ends.
Providing the information requested clearly, being confident in your abilities, and being available when called upon are all ways to ensure a successful conservation photography volunteering venture.
Ultimately, remember that you are taking part in something bigger than yourself; having passion for the cause is just as important as skill!
Your work can have real impact, while also providing a platform for growth of your career. There’s nothing quite like making an impact doing what you love, so don’t forget to enjoy every step of the journey, too.
