Getting Started

On Assignment for the Heart Gallery!

Heart Gallery photo shoots are planned in collaboration with photographers, Heart Gallery staff, care managers, foster parents and others. Our staff works directly with foster families and residential coordinators on scheduling, transportation, clothing and other details.
Photo shoots are scheduled according to the availability of the children, transportation options and the photographer’s schedule. They typically take place on weekends and after school hours. Shoots take between 20 minutes to an hour, as some children will require more time to “warm up” to the camera.

Once scheduled, contact info of all parties is exchanged to ensure everyone is informed of the date, time, and location and kept up-to-date of any last-minute changes.

We understand cancellations are sometimes necessary, please inform care managers as well as Heart Gallery staff with as much notice as possible. Please keep in mind there are several people involved in facilitating shoots (transporters, counselors, foster parents, mentors, etc.) who will all need to reschedule.

We try to match photographers and children by proximity. We recommend parks, beaches, and other kid-friendly public places or photo studios. Please be as accommodating as possible to arrange the location and time of the shoot.

In rare occasions, a child’s care manager may decide that emotional events of that day are not conducive to the child being photographed in their best light. We realize your time as a professional is valuable and we try to minimize these occurrences as much as possible. Our Heart Gallery photographers are adept in working with kids who may be struggling with issues well beyond their years. Flexibility in working with foster children is appreciated. Sibling groups who intend to be adopted together should have photos taken as a complete group and then as individuals.

You’ve Got it in the Can!

Once the shoot is complete, we can begin recruiting parents for the children as soon as we have their images! We request photographers submit their favorites (minimum of 10) within a week of the shoot. A photo selection committee will pick the images for the various touring exhibits and website profiles. Please avoid any heavy Photoshop filters, collages, or borders. A technical guideline sheet is available on this website and should be reviewed prior to the photo session.

Heart Gallery photographers’ images are credited whenever possible and websites may be linked from our photographer’s page.

If a child you photographed for the Heart Gallery is going to be adopted, we’ll invite you to the formal finalization at the courthouse! Often we are given short notice on these hearings, but we’ll notify you as soon as we are informed. In most cases, we’ll have enough notice to enlarge and frame your image to be presented to the child and their forever family. It’s an incredibly rewarding process that we hope all our photographers have the opportunity to experience.

Helpful Hints

Confirming the Shoot:  We encourage photographers be proactive and ensure arrangements are clear.

Clothing: Some children like to dress-up and others like to dress-down. Either way is fine, as long as there are no stains, wrinkles, loud logos, or distracting graphics. We encourage the children to express themselves! We do our best ensure the kids arrive properly dressed. Please be mindful of any inappropriate postures, gang signs, exposed bra straps or other details that may not present the child in their best light. Staff will be able to assist you if there are any issues.

Props: Props can be useful and fun, but, please also take some images without them. Please avoid holiday themed props. If pets or other animals are incorporated, please also take some images without them.

Keeping it Light: Some children will have bios on file you can review prior to the photoshoot. These bios may help you select the locations best suited for the child (i.e. basketball court, petting zoo, studio, etc.), to learn about the child’s demeanor (shy or gregarious) and to understand the child’s potential physical or emotional needs. The most important element of the photo session is to keep the mood light and fun! Like all children, some are leery of cameras and require extra effort to get a smile or unguarded moment. Please refer to the article “How to Photograph Hope” to read more about various experiences of a Heart Gallery photographer which may provide additional insight.