I am looking for volunteer opportunities in my area to use my photography skills any ideas on where to look?

Question

I want to do some volunteering and would like to find something where I could use my love of photography. One place I found so far was a local county park taking photos for brochures and website. I did a search for volunteer opportunities in my area but most were administrative skills, preparing or serving food, etc... One idea I had was offering to start some type of program. Any ideas on where to start looking for such volunteer positions?

One clarification to my question...it's not so much about getting something printed or published as wanting to do something that is "volunteering," but also using "photography" to make a difference. One thought I had was starting a program through the local Ronald McDonald house (where parents stay when children are in the hospital..many are terminally ill) and offering to shadow the families and take photos of them visiting with their children and such. Photographs are often therapeutic and healing. that's just one idea.

Answer 1

You could see if one of your local shelters would be interested in putting on a slide show/powerpoint for their "guests" during dinner of your nature images.

Answer 2

I am on the board of our local Habitat for Humanity. Most communities have branches- we don't "give" homes away- but we help provide affordable housing to people who would not otherwise be able to get it- they put several hundred hours of volunteer time into other homes in order to qualify to buy one as well... you could volunteer to build, donate money, work in the office etc. I think helping in your local community is important & improving lives of those around you just improves the place you live as well. Habitat for Humanity builds homes in small towns, large cities and nearly every country in the world. I am also a big animal lover- your local shelter would be another good place. Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is a no-kill shelter that rehabilitates animals that might otherwise be put down...

Answer 3

Submit photographs of interest of your local area to your local newspaper. They may just publish it.

You should read the paper and write down key dates for different events. In my area for instance we have rowing, an annual fair and market, flower shows, dog shows, charity events etc.

Take your camera and photograph your high street and submit to the paper.

Answer 4

Local animal rescue groups need photos of their pets to help find homes for them.

Answer 5

Please don't go around offering to take pictures for nothing.

"Photographer" is a paid profession and all you're doing is putting photographers out of work.

Find some other way of contributing to your community.

Answer 6

church for weddings for those on low budgets.

courtroom marriages

local paper
local designers