Photo Assistant
Help engage today’s youth in learning about global sustainability by building a photo library!
Facing the Future is seeking volunteers to help us grow our photo library of images related to global issues such as biodiversity and natural resources, consumption, population, health, education, quality of life and sustainable solutions. These real-world images engage the interest of youth and expose them to people, places and perspectives beyond the scope of their everyday lives. Photos from our library are an important component of Facing the Future’s student textbooks, classroom materials and online resources.
The Photo Assistant would be responsible for searching for and obtaining permission to use high-quality digital photos and images that illustrate sustainability and global issues concepts. Approaches to this project could be to:
- Search for public domain images
- Contact nonprofits and NGOs to ask for photo donations
- Contact historical societies, museums, and other archives to ask for photo donations
- Search Flickr and other online photo sharing sites for relevant photos
- Contact amateur or professional photographers who may contribute to our work pro-bono
- Encourage those who support FTF’s mission to join our Flickr photo pool
- Contribute your own photography
Volunteers are welcome to explore other paths to acquiring photos and permissions. We appreciate creative and resourceful ideas!
Facing the Future is a national non-profit organization that empowers students to think critically, develop a global perspective, and participate in positive solutions for a sustainable future. We write global issues and sustainability curriculum materials for K-12 classrooms, provide professional development for teachers, and help schools integrate global issues across their curricula. Facing the Future resources are used by teachers, schools, and districts in all 50 U.S. states and over 120 countries.
- Search for photos to illustrate key concepts identified by Facing the Future staff
- Contact individual photographers or organizations to communicate our educational mission and request their support
- Collect high resolution digital copies, a permission statement and photo credit, and any pertinent information to be included in the caption
- Organize and catalog photos in Facing the Future’s photo library
Required Qualifications
- An eye for finding engaging, vibrant images that will capture the interest of students and effectively illustrate global sustainability concepts
- Good research and organization skills
- Good interpersonal communication skills
- Professionalism in contacting individuals and organizations on behalf of Facing the Future
- Ability to be self-directed
- Basic computer skills
- Basic knowledge of digital photography
Interest or expertise in any or all of the following:
- environmental and sustainability education
- global issues education
- curriculum development
- digital photography
- graphic design
- publishing
- Gain experience working in a national nonprofit organization
- Learn about curriculum development for K-12 educators
- Explore the work of talented photographers
To apply, email cover letter, resume and two references to volunteers@facingthefuture.org. Please type "Photo Assistant - [Your Name]" in the subject line.