Curtis Rogers Consulting, LLC

Providing training and consulting services to libraries and non-profits.

Lights, Camera, Action: Photography Basics for Staff Members

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Dr. Curtis Rogers

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Good photography skills are essential for library and nonprofit staff members tasked with capturing events and creating promotional materials. High-quality photos can significantly impact how your organization is perceived by the community, donors, and stakeholders. Clear, well-composed images help tell your story, highlight the success of events, and convey the value of your services, often serving as the first impression to potential supporters or visitors.

For organizations that cannot always afford professional photographers, empowering staff members with basic photography skills ensures that moments of engagement, celebration, and impact are documented effectively. These images can be used across various platforms, including social media, newsletters, grant reports, and promotional campaigns, to draw attention and inspire action.

When staff members understand the fundamentals of lighting, composition, and storytelling, they can elevate the visual appeal of your organization’s brand. With the right skills and tools, even a smartphone camera can produce images that capture the essence of your mission and leave a lasting impression on your audience.

I offer a one-hour webinar designed to help staff members improve their photography skills and create eye-catching images for PR and marketing. Contact me today to learn more and schedule a session tailored to your team’s needs.

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About the author

    Dr. Curtis Rogers is a library consultant who has worked in the library and information science field for over 35 years. He has worked at the Union (SC) Carnegie Library, and the Charleston County (SC) Public Library, and retired as the Communications Director of the South Carolina State Library. He has also taught courses at the University of South Carolina School of Library and Information Science. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Geography, a Master of Library and Information Science, and a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of South Carolina. In 2001, he completed the University of the Azores Summer Study Course in Azorean Portuguese Culture and Language and in 2002 completed the Certified Public Manager credential. In 2008, he was President of the SC Library Association. Rogers developed a national library survey on library use of social media for public relations and presented this survey’s results at the 2009 German Library Association Conference and at the State and University Library of Hamburg. He has served as secretary of the board of the Library Marketing and Communications Conference and as secretary of the SC Academy of Authors, as well as chair of the USC School of Library and Information Annual Literacy Leaders (ALL) Awards Committee. He has also served on the Friends of South Carolina Libraries (FOSCL) board and is a member of the ALA CORE Library Consultants group. He is a recipient of the 2015 F. William Summers Outstanding Alumni Award from the USC School of Library and Information Science.