Recruitment News
June, 2003
Tips for Better MARE Photos
The MARE photolisting book is undoubtedly a team effort on the part
of adoption workers throughout the state and the Michigan Adoption Resource
Exchange. MARE may be physically producing the photolisting book; however
the quality of the MARE Book depends largely upon the photos and information
we receive from adoption agencies.
As the name implies, the MARE photolisting book is comprised of hundreds
of photos of children available for adoption. The photos vary in quality
from attractive, well-defined features to dark and blurry images with
nearly indistinguishable facial features. And though appearances do not
ultimately impact placement for adoption, there is no doubt that a clear
and attractive photo is a great resource to use when recruiting potential
adoptive families.
A child’s recent school photo is usually a good first choice;
however, when that option is not available, it is often up to the adoption
worker to obtain a photo of a child. Realizing that most social workers
are not moonlighting as professional photographers, we thought that a
few tips on taking photos might be helpful:
Tip #1: Whether the photo is taken indoors or outside, make sure
there is adequate light in the area, particularly on the subject.
Even with a flash on the camera, a dark room with dark furniture and poor
lighting will not produce good results. If taking the photo outside, try
to avoid having the subject directly facing the sun as this usually causes
the eyes to squint. Have the sunlight slightly to the side of the subject,
or take the photo in a slightly shaded area, remembering to also use the
flash as filler light.
Tip #2: When taking photos of children with darker skin tones,
do not place them against backgrounds that are either very dark or very
light. A dark background will obviously hide the facial features,
and a bright background will provide too stark of a contrast and may “wash
out” facial features. We often receive photos of children sitting
on dark furniture or standing against plain white walls. These photos
are often returned as unusable.
Tip # 3: Take several shots. If only one photo is taken,
the margin for error is non-existent. Closed eyes, out-of-focus shots,
etc. are all too common. The more shots taken, the higher the probability
of having a good photo to use.
Tip #4: Be aware of the background. As you look through
the viewfinder of the camera, watch out for plants, doorknobs, and other
objects behind the subject. MARE has received numerous photos over the
years showing television antennas and/or plants growing out of children’s
heads! Minor “touch-up” on photos can be done here at MARE
(e.g. removing blemishes or scratches,) but we can’t correct a dark
and blurry photo or totally remove an unattractive background.
Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind when sending the photos to
MARE:
Tip #1: Make sure the child’s name is on the back photo.
If the photo is of a sibling group (particularly if the children are close
in age), indicate which name goes with which child. For instance, write
“From L to R . . .” or “Blue shirt = . . .”
Tip #2: Do not staple the photo to the MARE Child Entry Form.
All too often the staple is usually placed over the child’s face
(or in the background close to the child’s face.) This leaves holes
in the photo that must be corrected.
Tip #3: Send photos on photo-grade paper. When the
photo has been processed commercially (Meijer, Rite Aid, etc.) it is always
printed on photo paper. If the photo is being printed by the desktop printer
at the adoption agency, it must be printed on photo-grade paper. Photos
printed on regular office copy paper will not scan properly for MARE Book
production. Similarly, MARE can not accept photocopied images or faxed
images for the same reason.
Tip #4: When sending digital photos via e-mail, make sure that
they are saved as J-PEG files (with a “.jpg” extension on
the file name.) For example, save the photo file as “johnsmith.jpg”
It is also important that the photo be saved at a resolution of at least
200 d.p.i. and be at least 3.25 inches high. Photos saved at a resolution
lower than 200 d.p.i. will look blurry and/or “pixellated”
in the MARE Book.
Please remember to update the child’s MARE Book photo at least
once per year. Children’s appearances change quickly so it is important
to use a photo that is reflective of their current appearance. MARE sends
reminder notices on a periodic basis to workers whose children’s
photos are more than one year old. Our last batch of letters (sent out
in early May) identified over 100 outdated photos - nearly one third of
the photos in the MARE Book. To date less than 25 of those photos have
been updated by the child’s adoption agency.
Every child deserves our best efforts at recruitment. We strongly encourage
adoption workers and agencies to review their children’s MARE Book
photos and stories, and to make whatever changes are necessary to present
a current, attractive, and accurate “snapshot” of the children
in their care. It is up to all of us to help make the MARE Book a viable
recruitment tool that helps place children in loving, permanent families.
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