Strong photography helps bring our work to life to inspire partnership and support.
For further guidelines on taking photographs of Accion’s work, view our Photography Guide. Users must be logged in to Accion’s SharePoint to view.
Photo release form
Accion follows a process of informed consent. Simply signing a consent form is not sufficient — end clients need to know what they are agreeing to.
Before you photograph anyone, let them know who you are, why you are taking photos/video, and where this content will be used. Ask their permission and make sure you get them to sign the photo release form. You can download it here. If there are children present, you should go through this process with their guardian and have them sign the form for minors. Arial is the preferred font for deliverables to the Accion Board of Directors and can be used in other documents when our brand fonts are not available.
Photos of people working
Accion uses large, full-bleed images to make dynamic visual statements that grab the viewer’s attention.
We focus on active agency — dynamic imagery showing end clients as business owner and problem solvers, never downtrodden. We do not take photos of people who are in distress or could otherwise be considered lacking agency, and we are particularly careful when it comes to taking pictures of children.
Candid portraits
Portrait photography should feel casual, sincere, and natural — never overly posed. Subjects are typically slightly off-center in the frame and are not often looking directly at the camera. Backgrounds should be simple, solid, or slightly blurred using depth-of-field to allow the viewer to focus more clearly on the individual. Eye contact over the shoulder of the photographer or direct to camera is encouraged. When photographing people using technology, take shots where people are naturally using technology rather than posed shots holding phones and other devices. Remember, our story will focus on the technology as an enabler that helps an end client succeed. Not the technology itself.
Headshots
Please follow these do’s and don’ts when taking headshots for your professional profiles.
Using photos with cut outs and text overlay
When combining text and photography in a single graphic or video, we must take care to maintain accessibility standards for the text and to ensure our clients are not smothered under overlays of colors and messaging. One tool that we have for these instances is our mixed call to action template on the website, which uses gradient blocks, cut outs, and optional dot overlays to draw attention while balancing multiple elements.
Similar styles can be used in print and online designs beyond the website. The text block should be used with any of Accion or CFI’s approved color gradients. We encourage cut outs of people that pop above the text box, but they should not overlap with the text. Treatments on the photo, such as additional gradients or dot patterns may be used but must be approved by the Communications Team.
Photography misuse
In addition to following standards above and below, all photos must be linked to an active Accion partner and our work with that partner must not be subject to restrictions on how we can promote it, e.g., as a result of a fundraise.
