Turning Church Photos Into Better Posts: A Simple Shot List for Volunteers

You have a volunteer with a phone who's willing to take photos.

But "take some pictures Sunday" leads to 47 shots of the backs of people's heads.

The problem isn't willingness. It's direction. Without a shot list, they're guessing—and the photos are random instead of useful.

Here's the list that gets you content you can actually post.

The Must-Have Shots

These are the photos you want every Sunday. Cover these first.

The whole room during worship. Congregation visible. Screen or stage in frame.

Shoot from the back or the side. Get the scope—how many people, what's the energy.

This shot says "this is what Sunday looks like."

Hands raised. Eyes closed. Engaged faces.

Shoot from a respectful distance. Don't get in people's faces. Capture the moment, not the individual.

This shot conveys emotion and spiritual engagement.

Pastor mid-gesture. Leaning into the message. Dynamic expression.

Capture when they're animated, not when they're looking at notes.

This shot is useful for sermon promotion and pastoral content.

People shaking hands. Smiling at each other. The before-service or greeting time energy.

This shot shows community—not just a crowd.

Happy kids. Engaged faces. Craft projects or games.

Always get parent permission before posting. General crowd shots are safer.

This shot matters for families considering your church.

The lobby. The donut table. People hanging out after service.

This shot says "we don't rush out—we hang around."

Your building from outside. Signage visible. People entering if possible.

This is useful for "here's where to find us" content.

Goal: 3-5 usable shots per category. That gives you options.

The Bonus Shots

Not required every week, but nice to have when you can get them.

Behind the scenes:

• Tech booth during service
• Worship team rehearsal
• Volunteers setting up chairs
• Prayer huddle before service

These humanize your church. People like seeing the "making of."

Candid moments:

• Laughter
• Hugs
• Deep conversations

Hard to catch, but powerful when you get them.

Detail shots:

• Worship lyrics on the screen
• Open Bibles in laps
• Communion elements
• Seasonal decorations

These add variety to your feed without requiring people to be in frame.

What to Avoid

Backs of heads:

The most common mistake. Heads from behind don't convey anything. Move to the side.

Blurry or poorly lit:

If it's blurry, it's unusable. If it's dark, it's unusable. Don't take chances on photos that can't be saved.

People who've asked not to be photographed:

Respect boundaries. Some people have very good reasons for staying off social media.

Children without permission:

When in doubt, don't include the child—or crop them out.

Awkward moments:

Mid-yawn. Unflattering angles. People who clearly didn't know a camera was on them.

Empty rooms:

A photo of your sanctuary with no one in it is sad, not welcoming.

Too many of the same thing:

15 shots of the worship leader from the same angle. Pick one, move on.

Technical Tips for Phone Photography

You don't need a professional camera. Phones are great—if you use them well.

Fingerprints create haze. Wipe it before you shoot.

Phones auto-focus, but they don't always focus where you want. Tap the screen to set the focus point.

Avoid flash. It's harsh and unflattering. If the room is dim, get closer or accept the limitations.

During worship, hold down the shutter. One frame might be great.

Know what platform the photo is for. Horizontal works better for Instagram feed. Vertical works better for Stories and Reels.

Light color correction is fine. Heavy filters make photos look amateur.

The Handoff Process

You've got the photos. Now get them into the right hands.

Sunday afternoon:

Volunteer uploads all photos to a shared folder. Google Drive, Dropbox, or a shared album.

Monday morning:

Communications lead reviews and selects the best shots. Pick 5-10 to use for the week.

Feedback loop:

Let the volunteer know what worked. "That wide shot from the balcony was perfect—keep doing that." Over time, they learn what you need.

Training Your Volunteer

A 10-minute walkthrough goes a long way.

Show them examples:

Pull up photos you've used before. "This is what we're looking for."

Walk the room:

Show them where to stand. "The back corner gives you the best wide shot. This angle is good for the speaker."

Share the shot list:

Print it out or send it as a note on their phone.

Set expectations:

"Don't try to get everything. Focus on the must-haves. If you get 10 good shots, that's a great week."

Appreciate them:

This role matters. Tell them when their photos make a difference.

The Printable Shot List

Cut this out and give it to your volunteer:

☐ Wide worship shot (whole room)

☐ Close worship moments (engaged faces)

☐ Preacher during sermon

☐ Greeting/welcome time

☐ Kids ministry

☐ Coffee/connection time

☐ Exterior of building

Bonus (if you can):

☐ Behind the scenes

☐ Candid moments

☐ Detail shots

Avoid:

• Backs of heads
• Blurry or dark shots
• Unwilling subjects
• Children without permission

Upload by: Sunday 5pm to [shared folder].

Clear direction. Better photos. More content to work with.