Why NGOs need training in Humanitarian Photography

Most of the non-profit associations that work in the humanitarian field mainly depend on donations. These donations come mostly when the association shows that it has successfully achieved its goals and reached out to those in need and helped them. Therefore, we feel the importance of documenting these activities correctly, and on conditions that respect the dignity of the beneficiaries. Supporters and donors have the right to know where and for whom their money was spent, here comes the role of the humanitarian photographer.

Volunteers often play a key role in the humanitarian job of the association, so highlighting their work through photography can make them proud and attract new volunteers. We should also pay special attention to the beneficiaries, it is very important to include them in the photos but if people who faced many obstacles and live inside a camp or in the place of a disaster do not want to appear in pictures for many personal reasons, their will must be respected. This should be clear for all the staff and volunteers who are active in the field and who have direct contact with the beneficiaries, that is why it is important that they attend training courses in humanitarian photography so that they know how to obtain those images.

In particular we need to underline the importance of preserving human dignity and respect customs, beliefs and traditions so that the photographer or any member of the team does not take any photo that could damage the credibility of the association or organization he represents or could lead to a life threatening problem for the photographer or for the members of the team or for the beneficiary. The courses should explain to the field team what kind of photos are needed, when and where to take them and also where and when not to take photos. This is very important especially in situations of armed conflict.

Training the team to take good pictures can produce a very high visibility in the social media, it will enrich the reports to donors and attract new donations, it will increase the good reputation of the association or non-profit organization and will help to preserve the dignity of those in need. That is why I founded in 2017 the International School of Humanitarian Photography, which is the first of its kind in the world and is the result of my 20 years of field experience as a photographer in the humanitarian field in the Middle East, North Africa and Europe.