Every picture tells a story
As an intercultural organization, CISV International relies heavily on visual images for most of its methods of communication, especially in publications and on its websites. These images carry important information and visually represent the organization significantly to those who either don’t have good English skills or don’t speak the language at all. Remember the old saying, “every picture tells a story.”. So the images we use, and the way we use them, are all the more important in getting the right message across.
Just like the logo, the images should communicate our values and show that CISV is inclusive,
cooperative, friendly, engaging, and enthusiastic.
- Ensure photo shoots are carried out at activities that have a high degree of diversity among participants.
- Show participants enjoying themselves and having fun.
- Take action shots rather than posed groups or individuals.
- Show that education is happening .
- Show friendships developing .
- Cooperation between participants.
- Communication without language (intercultural/cross-cultural).
- Diversity of age among participants (e.g. sometimes include JCs, Leaders and older volunteers).
- Try to establish geographical location (without identifying specific sites – e.g. school or hotel signs – only the area of the world the shots were taken).
- Close up shots rather than long distance shots of big groups.