For The Cause: Using Your Photography For A Purpose

Since the development of photography in the early 1800s, there has always been a strong tradition of photographers using their work to promote conservation and social justice issues. One need only to look at the development of the National Park System in the United States to see the impact early photographers had on conservation. William Henry Jackson, with his 1871 Yellowstone photographs, helped push through legislation that established Yellowstone as the world’s first National Park. Another well-known example of a conservationist photographer was Ansel Adams, whose tireless efforts both as a photographer and as a 37-year member of the Sierra Club’s Board of Directors led to the establishment of Kings Canyon National Park in 1940.

 

This image has been used by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy several times to promote their conservation efforts throughout the Sierras. This version was created as a magnet and distributed throughout the California Legislature before an important conservation vote.
© Josh Miller Photography

The International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP) was established in 2003 by Cristina Mittermeier in an effort to better connect photographers with each other and with environmental and cultural issues. The iLCP organizes photo shoots around the world that bring together groups of photographers in “Rapid Assessment Visual Expeditions” or “RAVEs” to photograph specific locations or cultures under threat. These RAVEs are a way to quickly create bodies of work that can be used by local grassroots and nonprofit organizations to promote immediate, positive changes. While the iLCP helps to organize the RAVEs, their goal is to make the resulting images available to the appropriate organizations in order to bring visual awareness to their cause.

Here I helped a local stream organization promote their watershed science outreach by photographing students working in their lab.
© Josh Miller Photography

So how does this lesson apply to those photographers who may not be as well known as Ansel Adams? Though the iLCP does have an impressive list of professional photographers to go with the causes it supports, the reality is that most social or environmental change throughout history has happened first at the local level. A photographer does not need to be famous in order to promote these local causes. Once photographers are willing to show their work in public, then what is to stop them from showing it to local organizations? Certainly, many large national organizations have the money to hire the Frans Lantings of the world to shoot for their causes, but there are actually a larger number of smaller organizations starving for quality images to represent their issues.

This image of a winter storm over Lake Tahoe was donated to the National Wildlife Federation to help raise money for their “Gulf Oil Spill Restoration Fund.”
© Josh Miller Photography

The first step in becoming involved locally is to find out what organizations in your area are working on issues you care about. These groups can be anything from the local animal shelter to your church or school, the homeless shelter, or a stream conservation group. The key is to remember this is a wdonation of your skill, so find a cause that you are not only willing to support long term, but one that will also offer engaging photographic material to keep you interested in shooting. Are you already involved in an organization, but the quality of their current photos makes you groan? Offer to help this organization by donating your images or editing skills.

Once you have chosen a cause, it’s time to talk with the people in charge. But approaching an organization for the first time can be intimidating if you have never worked with editors before. One way to reduce your anxiety is to prepare before you contact the organization. Stack the deck by having several great images to offer during your first introduction. It is much easier to be accepted and trusted in an organization when the decision makers see real examples of your ability rather than just ideas of what you “could” do for them.

My fall image was used on the cover of this trifold brochure for the Sierra Nevada Conservancy.
Courtesy of Sierra Nevada Conservancy

Over time, as you develop a larger portfolio of work and connections, it is easier to be taken seriously by new organizations. It’s sort of ironic that you must be published/known in order to get published/known. But by starting with smaller organizations, your work will have a greater chance of being used and this will help you overcome the issue of being unknown. When starting out as a photographer with a cause, there is a huge benefit to having your work published by as many small organizations as possible. Not only will you be supporting something you believe in and possibly make a few print sales but, more importantly, these connections often lead to other organizations asking for your help as well.

In my own experience as a landscape/adventure photographer, I first got involved with a local stream organization called Friends of Deer Creek, helping them with images for a restoration project. Over time, this led to my being used by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy in the California State Legislature to promote their conservation efforts in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Even more recently, my relationship with the Sierra Nevada Conservancy has led to my being asked to submit images for an upcoming National Geographic map project on the Sierras. So in the end, my involvement with a local stream organization not only helped them illustrate their grant applications and restoration projects, but it also ended opening the door to National Geographic.

Left: This image of native plant restoration was shot during a five-year rehab project on a local creek for Friends of Deer Creek. It has been used to apply for grants and to attract local volunteers to continue the project. Right: This image of collecting water quality data has been used by the Sierra Streams Institute to help apply for grant funding for ongoing restoration projects.
Photos © Josh Miller Photography

So if you have no more room to hang your gorgeous prints on the walls of your living room and are ready to “find a cause” for your photography, search out an organization doing good work and do some good work as well. On a small scale, you can follow the iLCP’s example by having a local “RAVE” and creating a new body of work to support your chosen cause. Not only will you be creating positive change in the world around you, but you never know where a small project might lead you.

Author Bio
Josh Miller is a photographer, writer, and environmental educator based in Northern California. Miller has worn many hats, including professional naturalist, outdoor guide, and science teacher. Along with teaching photographic workshops throughout the West, his images continue to appear in publications throughout North America. You can see more of Miller’s work at: www.joshmillerphotography.com.

COMMENTS
MarieWilson's picture

Using your creativity and talent for some sort of social awareness is always good. And photography is the one way by which, any of the issues can be very effectively and clearly explained through vision.
cars for sale

reindeer947's picture

Thank you very much for sharing this post.

alex mercer jacket

chinagadget's picture

Not done yet, check out the 2.0MP dual camera which can be used to take the best pictures without restrain. Furthermore, the device supports multi-language and has slots for DC, USB, earphone, HDMI and TF card. Your 3G modem can work with this Android 4.1 Tablet and it has a WIFI of 802.11 b/n/g. There is also an inclusion of the G-sensor and Bluetooth V2.1+ which you can use to share photos, audio and video at a very high speed.

priyainterpret's picture

“You really know your stuff... Keep up the good work!”

http://www.wikisharetags.com

EvieJacob's picture

I'm really into photography sometimes if I'm not doing something I just spend time on finding online affiliate program. I also incorporate my knowledge in photography with life coach for women.

kenyajohnson's picture

This is really nice article. I like to find such a nice articles. Even I also like to find and read such articles. I those days I have found many interesting post on the internet. I like to share one of these with you. You can find it at http://www.rugsandblinds.com/unique-lamps-to-illuminate-in-style.aspx

juliarobert's picture
melissagraham415's picture

We can help to conserve our mother earth through our photography that's what I learned from this post. We can share to them how lovely the nature is though taking some pictures into those beautiful spot around us. I appreciate you kind effort for posting this blog. - how to gain twitter followers

johnrex's picture

There are so many people are doing photography aimlessly. but i l;earn from here that each of them should have a aim for their photography. Austin lawyer

leif15's picture

Awesome article, you did a great post with us, you implement something to the right direction with us. I really like your article as well us the staff and the images.

ways to get followers on twitter

leif15's picture

Thanks

jacobjuma's picture

Now a days photography became one of the most vital sector of various purpose.It can reach any person too easily.sporting brand

arjd42's picture

Your contents touches many urgent problems of our minds. We can not be uninvolved to these challenges.
hotel in los Angeles

waseem jutt's picture

"I always like to read a quality content having accurate information regarding the subject and the same thing I found in this post. Nice work." www.healthreformcentral.org

Dyan Joy's picture

I love photography and this article inspire me a lot. This is really nice topic to write and I will work on it. I like to write and I will do guest posting too.I have this book in my collection.I like it really.It is written in a nice manner. The author is one of my most favorite. .I will ensure that I bookmark your blog and definitely will come back later on. I want to encourage yourself to continue your great job, That is a great idea, I am very glad to read this post, and I agree with the issues of this write-up. I think this is the best impression. I like to do something after reading it. math problems help from BestCustomWriting.com

retronrock70's picture

I am amazed to see such a beautiful content on the web.Check my blogfor more such articles.

Ethanielelouise's picture

Indeed, a great medium for promotion. Promotion for conservation is one of the best activity in a society. It always comes with participation and dedication. Thumbs up for that! :)

worth gram's picture

To send us your article idea or draft for review by our editorial team, submit via the ... source project, community, or related topics would you like to write about? come to us https://worthgram.com/write-for-us/

techlipz's picture

come to us get package <a href="https://techlipz.com/write-for-us/">write for us paid</a>

Buzz Nor's picture

i love animation movie the new vary latest trending movie is <a href="https://buzznor.com/putlocker-to-alternative/">putlocker.to movies</a>

smm newz's picture

i love this very funny https://smmnewz.com/busou-shoujo-machiavellianism/

alanporter137's picture

https://thegenuineleather.com/product/cyberpunk-2077-jacket

Luca's picture

This article is a great one. It really helped me to find a purpose for my <a href="https://www.lucajackets.com/products/red-hooded-leather-vi-arcane-jacket/">vi arcane outfit</a> photography purpose. Thanks!

X